Yahoo Lifestyle The #1 Thing To Know if You're Over 50 and Back on the Dating Apps
Meeting potential love matches when you’re over a certain age, especially on dating apps, can be daunting. People used to meet significant others through friends or in person even just a decade ago. Now it seems like apps are the best place to meet your future partner. But if you’re over 50 and dating, but hesitant about doing so online or through an app, celebrity matchmaker and relationship therapist Dr. Christie Kederian has some much-needed advice for you.
No matter how old you are, dating apps can be intimidating or it can feel like you never get anywhere with them. Dr. Kederian, who is the author of 10 Dates to Your Soulmate and a dating consultant, knows more than a thing or two about going out with someone and shares her insight into how to navigate through it if you’re over 50. Plus she shares some tips on how to make the most out of a first date.
So read on to find out the most important thing to know if you’re over 50 and back on the dating apps.
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The #1 Best Dating App Advice if You're Over 50, According to a Relationship Therapist
Between the settings, pictures, messaging and more, dating apps can feel like a mess that induces nerves and frustration. It’s also such a different way to meet a potential love match than when you were younger. But after getting familiar with the app and how to use it, Dr. Kederian wants to stress that it's not a competition or a race.
“The most important thing to know is that it’s okay to take your time,” Dr. Kederian tells Parade. “Whether you’re coming back to dating after a divorce or the loss of a partner, there’s no rush. Allow yourself to heal and get comfortable with the idea of dating again at your own pace.”
On that note of getting back out there at a speed you’re comfortable with, Dr. Kederian says that apps can “feel overwhelming” but you just have to remember you’re learning something new.
“They’re just one tool in your dating toolbox,” she explains. “It's important to get support and understand that modern dating is a skill, and it's a lot different than how you may have met partners in the past.”
Even though you might be new to these sites or apps, you’re not new to putting yourself out there and meeting new people. So don’t let the apps confuse you into forgetting that.
“Remember, you’re not starting from scratch—you’re starting from a place of experience,” Dr. Kederian says. “Use that to your advantage by setting clear boundaries and being selective about who you give your time to. You deserve to find joy and connection again, and with the right mindset, that’s entirely possible.”
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How To Make the Best Impression on a First Date
Okay, so you’ve gotten the hang of the apps and have talked to a few potential partners. Great! But how can you make the best impression and put your best foot forward on a first date? Dr. Kederian says it's important to be “present and authentic.”
“It's about leaving the checklist at home and just focusing on how you feel around the person in front of you,” she shares. “Focus on the experience rather than the outcome.”
Staying in the moment allows you to really listen to what your date is saying and focus on getting to know them. Dr. Kederian suggests asking “thoughtful questions” and just showing "genuine interest in your date.” Because people can feel when you’re engaged, which can set “a great tone for the rest of the date.”
In addition to being present, Dr. Kederian shares how important it is to just be yourself.
“Don’t try to impress by pretending to be someone you’re not,” she stresses. “The right person will appreciate you for who you are, quirks and all. Confidence, paired with authenticity, is a winning combination that leaves a lasting impression.”
Overall, Dr. Kederian calls dating an “adventure, no matter your age or experience level.” So enjoy it and “stay true to yourself.”
“Never lose sight of your worth,” she says. “Every date is an opportunity to learn, grow, and move closer to the love you deserve. So, embrace the process, stay hopeful, and always lead with your heart.”
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Dr. Christie Kederian, LMFT, a relationship therapist, dating consultant, celebrity matchmaker and author of 10 Dates to Your Soulmate
