Like a fine wine, people get better with age. Whereas dating in your 20s can be a minefield of emotions and confusion, looking for a relationship as an older person provides access to a much more grounded pool of prospects.
Attraction is illogical, but it’s a good idea to have some key characteristics in mind when looking for your perfect mate – especially as a mature dater.
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Authenticity – an authentic person knows who they are and what they want. They’re comfortable with themselves and won’t feel a need to change who they are in order to face the world. Dating someone who is authentically themselves avoids any nasty surprises further down the line.
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Good financial habits – one of the best things about being older is the ability to enjoy relative financial stability. If your new date shows signs of having a troubled history with money, this could be a major red flag.
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Positive, healthy choices – a happy and healthy outlook on life indicates someone who cares about themselves and has a lot to bring to a relationship. Bad habits maybe be ‘edgy’ when you’re young, but when you’re older they’re not so cute. Look out for unhealthy dietary habits and poor exercise.
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Good person - ‘Goodness’ is a broad and vague term, but ultimately means someone who has a good sense of ethics and a healthy level of respect for others. Remember – the best indicator of future behaviour is past behaviour. If they have a history of lying, cheating and narcissism, be careful.
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Respect – respect is one of the most mature characteristics you could hope to come across. If someone respects you, despite your differences, that’s a great indication that there could be the potential for a long-term relationship.
If online dating isn’t a match for you, try Avenues Dating – a specialist matchmaking service for the over 50’s that takes away all of the issues associated with today’s rapid-fire, swipe left/right culture.