If you’ve recently gotten divorced and found yourself dating in your 50s, you might well be feeling a little overwhelmed. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about dating in your 50s.

Going through a divorce is a tough experience, but there are plenty of ways that you can make the experience that little bit easier.

First things first, you’ll need an excellent divorce solicitor to guide you through the process. Rest assured, there are plenty of highly rated divorce solicitors in London, Bristol, Manchester, or wherever you live. Besides this, you may need other forms of help, whether it’s emotional support from your family, or a few sessions with a counsellor.

As time moves on, and you start to feel positive about the future, you might find yourself wanting to start dating again. If it’s been a long while since you’ve dated, you may not know where to begin. In this article, you’ll find plenty of great tips to help you have an enjoyable and safe dating experience in your 50s.

The best dating apps for over 50s

eharmony

If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, eharmony is a great a choice. There’s a section that’s aimed at dating for the over 50s, and plenty of dating advice if you’re feeling stuck. Eharmony has a special vetting process, to enhance user safety.

When you sign up to eharmony, you start off by completing a detailed questionnaire. The app uses your answers to find compatible matches, sending these to you on a daily basis.

Review user reviews like this eHarmony review for seniors at onlineforlove.com, check the site’s privacy policy, and look for features like account verification and reporting mechanisms for suspicious activity.

Our Time

This dating site was developed specifically for the over 50s. The app is based on connecting people with similar hobbies and interests. If you’re keen to meet other people who are dating within your age group, Our Time is the perfect site.

As well as the opportunity to match with people, you’ll get plenty of dating tips and suggestions about dating activities. What’s more, the company run local activities to make it easier for members to meet up in person.

Match

You’ve probably heard of dating apps, like Tinder or Hinge, and whilst these are available for people of all ages, they tend to be more popular with the younger generations. If you’re dating in your 50s, Match is a great option whether you’re looking for a causal relationship or something more long term.

One of the great things about Match is that you can set specific criteria. Next, you can change to app settings so that only those who match your criteria can contact you. The app has a broader reach when you compare it to other dating sites. All profiles go through a moderation process, to improve user safety.

Non-dating app options

Not everyone likes the idea of meeting people using dating apps or websites. Many feel that it’s much more comfortable and natural to meet in person. If you’re keen to meet some new people, these activities and options are worth a try:

Take up a new hobby

Taking up a new hobby is a great way to meet new people, whether it’s for friendship or dating. You might try a book club, creative writing classes, or a hiking group. When you choose classes and groups based on your interests, you’ll find plenty of people who you have things in common with.

Getting divorced is an emotionally challenging time – you’ll be adjusting to a new way of life – and so it can be great to have some hobbies as distractions.

Meeting through mutual friends

When you’re looking to meet someone new, it’s certainly worth asking your friends if there is anyone that they could introduce you too. Your friends may know fellow divorcees or have single friends in their extended circles.

If you’re looking to start dating again, and you’re not keen to try a dating app, one of these might just be a great option for you.

Safety tips and self-care whilst dating in your 50s

1.  Apps that vet users

Dating can be plenty of fun, but it can also pose safety risks which is why it’s important to remain vigilant. If you’re using apps, you should check the processes that these apps use to vet users. Checking these will help you to ensure that you’re comfortable with the moderation processes, and that you feel safe using the app.

2. Meet in public place

For safety reasons, it’s important to meet new people in a public place, especially if you’re going on a first date. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, it’s best to trust your instincts, make your excuses and leave.

If the person is not who they appeared to be on their dating profile, never feel too awkward to cut the date short. It’s incredibly important that you feel comfortable and safe at all times.

3. Let someone know

When you’re dating new people, particularly when going on evening dates, it’s best to let someone know where you are and who you’re with. Provided this key info can help you to protect yourself and potentially access help if you need it.

If you have friends who are also dating, ensure that you ask the same info of them. Taking small precautions like these will allow you to relax and enjoy the experience more.

4. Dating self-care

While dating can be plenty of fun, it can also be tough, particularly if you’re recently divorced and still have feelings for your ex. No matter how old you are, it’s a good idea to practice dating self-care, including:

Decide what you’re looking for

When you’re dating after a divorce, it can be useful to establish what you’re looking for. Knowing what you want and need will help you to avoid situations that might stir up negative emotions.

Before you start dating, spend a little time thinking about the type of relationships you want, and the type of people you’d like to meet. Being honest with yourself will help you to look after your mental health and find the best dating connections for you.

Set boundaries

It can be useful to set boundaries when you are dating. The boundaries you set will depend on the experience you’re looking for. You might set boundaries that relate to how much time you’ll dedicate to dating, taking relationships slowly, or what you need from another person.

Dating after a divorce can be fun!

Dating after divorce can be exciting – it’s the chance to start again and make new connections. Equally, the experience can be emotionally challenging, so it’s important to look after yourself.

There are lots of suitable dating apps for the over 50s, and many more that are great for all ages. It’s best to try out a few options, and see which you prefer. If you prefer to meet people in real life, consider asking your friends for some introductions, or perhaps joining a new class or group.

It’s vital that you take precautions to protect your safety when dating. As well as this, you should pay attention to self-care by knowing what you want and establishing boundaries

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