Finding love after 50 can be easy and ‘fun’ – expert tips

Sex and relationship expert at Lovehoney Annabelle Knight shared her best tips for a memorable first date, as well as her “secret to finding the right person after 50”.

Annabelle explained that finding love after 50 is much like “finding love at any age”, however, “the older people get the more relaxed their view to dating can become, especially if they have just come out of a long-term relationship, for example”.

The expert explained that over 50s tend to know exactly what it is that they want and, more importantly, what they don’t want from a relationship at this age and can often be more “confident and self-assured”.

“Knowing what you want and need in a partner and any potential future relationships will help you identify those qualities in others and avoid getting into a relationship that might not necessarily tick all the right boxes,” she said.

Ultimately, finding love at any age takes time. The expert advised: “Don’t rush because you’re feeling alone or pressure to be settled down at a certain age. Focus on being happy and content with yourself and your current lifestyle and work towards finding someone who will complement this.”

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Annabelle shared her best tips for people over 50 to “get back into the dating game” and “find a special person”.

She advised people not to be closed off to “meeting new people and trying new experiences”.

This includes dating apps or websites, but “these do not have to be apps such as Tinder or Hinge, they can be specialist dating sites and apps for the over 50s such as Silver Singles (although if Tinder and Hinge work for you then go for it!)”.

Approach dating “with an open mind”. Although “it may be difficult, don’t let past experiences or dating woes dictate how you enter a new era of dating,” she recommended.

Lastly, “be confident and have confidence in yourself, you have a lot to offer to a new relationship so go into your date with a positive attitude – who knows who you might meet and what the outcome could be”.

Annabelle also named the “dating dos and dont’s for those over 50”, who feel the dating scene can be “a little daunting”, especially as things may feel significantly different to dating when people are younger.

She recommended: “Be honest with what you’re looking for and what you want from a relationship and don’t do anything you don’t feel comfortable with, including intimacy.

“However, do set realistic expectations of what you want from dating or a relationship. Compromise and communication is key in a relationship, no matter the age.

“Most importantly though, enjoy the process. It can be a lot of fun meeting new people and enjoying some one-on-one time with someone that we feel a spark with.”

In terms of the things people over 50 should “avoid at all costs on the first date”, the dating expert started by saying: “Don’t underestimate yourself at any stage during the date – know that you are worth it and be open and honest with each other about what you want from it; if they are not on the same page, then you know they’re not for you.”

She recommended: “Try to be as open-minded as possible, particularly at the start, and focus on the positives rather than the negatives (as long as they aren’t dealbreakers). Don’t pick out someone’s flaws or criticise or complain (where unnecessary).

“Lastly, don’t try to be someone you’re not. Authenticity is an attractive trait and ultimately you want to meet someone who will love and appreciate you for you. Not who you are pretending to be.”