Mature Dating: Where to Start and are Dating Apps Useful?
You always hear about these great social media platforms and dating apps that 16 to 25-year-olds use to find dates in their area, but where does that leave us older single people? Finding a date above the age of 30 can be difficult, especially if you’re not the type of person who frequents bars or is comfortable striking up a conversation with strangers. Mature dating can be simple, as long as you know where to start!
1. Dating Apps Are For Everyone!
The first thing you need to do is to let go of the notion that dating apps are primarily for younger audiences. Sure, they’re marketed to teens and young adults but you can guarantee there will be older people using their smart phones to find someone to go out to dinner and drinks with.
What makes dating apps interesting for mature dating is you typically have the ability to target your searches. For example, you can easily input what type of age bracket you’re interested in. This allows people above the age of 30 to determine whether they’re looking for men or women between 30 and 35, 45 and 50, or even 65+.
But it’s also important to remember your age and the likelihood of people your age using the same service as you. Those with less experience with technology and the internet aren’t going to be as likely to use a smart phone app to find dates.
2. Online Dating Forums
Another great way for people to find dates entirely online is to sign up for online dating forums. These sites are typically less structured than your average dating site that you see in the movies and in TV shows. In fact, it’s typically a type of messaging board where people with common interests can strike up a conversation with each other. As time progresses and you get to know all of the people in the forum, you might find yourself itching to ask someone out.
The greatest thing about online dating forums is you can get rid of the fear of talking to strangers, as you already know everyone who signed up for the site is looking for a date. All you have to do is muster the courage to ask an internet personality out and hopefully, they’re similar in person to the persona they carry online.
3. Paid Dating Services
We get it, the internet isn’t for everyone and that’s perfectly okay! Paid dating services are another alternative that you can use to help find love in your immediate area. These services have slightly dwindled in popularity as they are competing with the convenience of dating apps, but they’re still around and in full force in many areas.
With a paid dating service you are essentially responsible for paying a fee, whether it is one-time, annual, or monthly. You will then be assigned a dating consultant who will take your best personality traits and match them up with other people with similar personality traits. What you’ll love about these services is you really don’t have to put any work into finding a date, as your consultant will do that for you.
To help make matters less awkward, they typically host group get-togethers and galas where all of the people signed up for the service can attend a dinner or cocktail hour and get to know everyone in the room. Even though it may cost you more than other forms of dating services, at least you can be guaranteed that everyone you meet will be serious about finding attraction.
4. Friends and Family
There’s no way you haven’t had a conversation with a friend or a family member who has brought up the idea of your dating one of their co-workers or another one of their friends. In fact, it can be a great opportunity to take them up on their offer because who knows you better than the people closest to you? We recommend accepting dates from people in your inner circle mostly because they’ll have a better idea of the type of person you deserve and the traits you’re looking for in a significant other.
Worst comes to worst, if you’re not emotionally attracted to them there’s no reason as to why you can’t become friends and grow your inner circle over the years.
5. Public Events
Meeting strangers isn’t something for the faint of heart, especially if you have a reclusive personality. At times, some of the best things in your life are found on the other side of your fears and all you have to do is know the worst thing that could happen is getting rejected. There’s no fear of physical pain, only a few moments of “Oh, that sucks,” and you can be on your way.
Try your hand at attending public events in your area, such as free concerts, and talking to people around you. It can be easier if you attend an event that serves alcohol as there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of liquid courage. Go to the event with a group of friends and if you find someone that catches your eye, go up to them, compliment them, and get to know them.
You may not leave the free concert or library book club with a date right away but we can guarantee you might leave with some type of outside communication. There’s never been anything wrong with a new phone number in your list of contacts!
6. Social Media Platforms
Everyone uses social media, there are millions of people who sign up for sites such as Instagram and Facebook and use them every day. When it comes to social media, you have access to a lot of information about people before they even tell you – primarily their appearance. It’s become more and more common for dates to come out of social media accounts than ever before, especially since these services have implemented direct messaging.
It doesn’t mean you need to internet stalk the person you’re interested in, all you have to do is shoot them a friendly direct message and see if they respond. If they do, engage in conversation, if they don’t, then move on with your head held high.
Mature dating isn’t as hard as it seems as long as you’re willing to take the risks and steps to become successful. With the help of the internet and dating services, you can find true love, all you have to do is look for it.
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