40 and Dating

You might think your dating options will run out when you turn 40, but you may be pleasantly surprised; it will not be the end of the road for you and romance. You are probably not going to be the only one turning 40 who happens not to have a significant other to celebrate with; there are, in fact, many people your age who are the same way. It can simply be a matter of going out and looking for them in certain places.

Many of the dating rules you have followed when you were younger may still ring true when you are 40. Granted, getting older means you may have to make some changes to your agenda here and there, but all in all, dating should still be much the same in the ways that count. Setting your standards too high may hinder your ability to go dating, no matter what age you are; just remember to have fun with whoever it is you are dating.

Challenges at 40

Being 40 while dating can present its own set of unique challenges to both daters in question. The matter of age will obviously come into play, especially if there is a big gap between you and the person you are dating. No matter how old either of you are, however, you should just keep in mind that a date is supposed to be fun, first and foremost.

Getting old can mean your mind can focus more on settling down after years of hard work and stress. While dating with the intent of marriage is certainly still acceptable today, some things may take time to work out; overly concerning yourself and your date with marriage may only make the both of you feel older.

That doesn't mean people who are 40 and above don't still date for their long-term aspirations; plenty of 40-somethings still go out each and every night to try their chances in the arena of casual encounters. Trying out dating when you turn 40 may even help revitalize you and your positive energy, or at least give you somebody to bed for a night to take your mind off an ex.

People who are also 40 years old may also feel even just a little insecure about their age more than anything. This might make going out and finding new people harder than normal, so trying out some online dating sites may be a better pick; you may be surprised at the amount of 40-somethings who are trying their chances online at the moment.

Being 40 should not be much of an obstacle standing between you and your desire not to feel lonely for the rest of your life.

Dating Tips for Singles Over 40

Dating when you are 40 may be challenging, but it is hardly impossible. Just look at the thousands upon thousands of single men and women over 40 mingling about in the dating circuit; they might even frequent the town you live in, in the places you like to frequent. Getting out there and finding them might be the only thing you really have to do.

Of course, some people who are 40 and above may be put off from the dating scene because of their age. Here are a few tips to help you overcome your anxiety, insecurity, or other mental obstacles:

• Be yourself around the person you are dating. This is probably something you have heard over and over again when you were younger, but it still holds true until when you are well past 40. You might be worried that being 40 will put off your date, but putting up a facade may make things even worse for both you and your date. For all you know, the person you are dating may be as nervous as you are; pulling out your natural charm may help break the ice between both of you.
• Relax around your date. Going out and dating when you are 40 might not be the end-all solution to all of your loneliness and isolation, so just enjoy the company while you have it. Your date might also feel more at ease if you open up to him or her just right, but just don't dump out all of your problems and insecurities. Sit back and have a good time.
• Listen to your date. Communication is important in any kind of relationship; if you are dating because a previous one didn't work out before, then you should have learned this by now. This can be especially true if you plan to date a single person for a long time, and even if you plan to get married.
• Avoid focusing too much on a single aspect of your date. This may include the personality, age, or financial status of the person you are dating; tunnel vision can only make your loneliness even worse if your date does not work out. This is the reason why some younger, more romantic lovers would never tell their significant others why they are in love, unless they love everything about that person.

Don't get desperate. Just because you are 40 doesn't mean there aren't other opportunities for you to date, even when you get it wrong the first time. Age isn't as big an obstacle as it was before; people who are 40 can now get dates just as easily as younger people nowadays.