5 Tips on Dating with Confidence After 50!

Being recently divorced or even scared of putting yourself out there can be stressful at times when you're trying to get back into dating. Even being a single woman over 50 comes with some stressors and I know what you're thinking but NO it is never too late! You'd be surprised. Love can be found in the places you’d least expect it. So let this be a steppingstone for you to find your confidence in dating and even yourself. So many people find love later in life, and you can too!

Well let’s start off with some questions! Are you sure about your abilities, qualities, and judgements? Do you feel good about yourself and your place in the world? Some may think that being confident is all about your physique. I'm here to tell you that confidence, my friend, is a state of mind!

In some instances, some women find it hard to have confidence because they grew up being told they weren't good enough or they didn't deserve happiness. On the other hand, maybe it was just lost along the way.

Would you believe that in certain studies they found that many women may find themselves experiencing a drop in self-esteem once they've reached 50 or older! Only 15% of women over the age of 50 stated that they felt they had very high confidence. Unfortunately, having low confidence can make it hard for us to enjoy many things in life including dating.

Aging can be a very complicated thing for some of us. Let’s face it ladies, we are no longer in our 20's or 30's when we may have felt invincible or completely on top of the world. At some point since then and now we have had the thought that those years, our best years are behind us and it’s just too late to find love or even have a family. Which couldn’t be farther from the truth. It is never too late to do what you want. The only one holding you back is you!

Whether you've had kids already or simply chose not to, as we get older, there is one thing we can't prevent or change, our bodies. We've either gained weight, have medical issues, or our skin isn't as tight as it used to be. Whatever it is, these physical changes can just mess with our minds and make us feel like we're no longer attractive. Hello low self-esteem...

Good news though, so don’t feel helpless just yet! There are multiple things you can do to achieve that feeling of confidence again. Here are some tips to ensure that your dating life is as exciting and enjoyable as ever!

On top of dating causing nervous feelings, worrying about what you'll be wearing can add to those feelings. Will my date judge me if I'm not dressed to impress in their eyes? Will they think I'm simply just not taking them or the date seriously? To be honest, it does not matter what you're wearing on a date so long as you are comfortable in your own skin.

Fully accepting your own style and dressing in clothes that make you feel great will help you to radiate confidence and that is always attractive. Without that constant nagging thought in your mind about your appearance, you'll be able to just relax and focus on not only being you but enjoying yourself as well. And even better, your date may just admire your great sense of style.

This is just the start, but feeling good in your own clothes is a huge step to moving forward on that search for unapologetic confidence. Next time you're getting ready for a date, don't worry about finding the sexiest outfit, because we all know those can be uncomfortable depending, but just find something that's comfortable and allows that natural confidence to shine through.

The dating world can be a very intimidating place, especially if you're striding back into the scene after a long break. One way to help calm those nerves and of course boost your confidence is to create a pre-date routine. Just like an athlete gets psyched up for a big game or a performer prepares for a show, spending some time to get yourself right before a date can make a huge difference.

1. Meditation or Deep Breathing can help center yourself.

2. Music can help pump you up and make your energy positive.

3. Inspirational Quotes can make you feel good, and just like music can introduce some positive energy into your mind and body!

The key is to just do whatever makes you feel good. When you show up for your date feeling comfortable and confident, you're much more likely to have a great time and make a lasting impression.

The worst thing you could do is pretend to be someone you’re not on a date, it will most likely always end in failure. For one, it's extremely important to be yourself if you want to find a partner who truly recognizes and appreciates you. Second, even if you can trick your date into thinking you're someone else, the relationship that may stem from it will be built on a false foundation and is therefore going to fail.

A lot of people try to hide the truth and who they really are, in an attempt to impress others. 9 times out of 10 this is super counterproductive. Doing this won't lead to any secure connections with your date, nor does it allow you to exude confidence. You can’t be confident if you aren’t proud of who you are. Focus on showing your date the real you. Make that natural connection, because you'll find it is much easier to build with that than the alternative. By doing so, you will of course boost that confidence level and have a much greater chance of finding someone who loves and accepts you for you.

Sitting up straight with your shoulders pushed back may not be the grandest advice, but it can surely make a world of difference for you and your dating life. Good posture signals confidence and self-assurance. Two qualities that are sure to attract potential love interests. Additionally, poor posture can send off signals that you're not comfortable in your own skin, or that you are uninterested.

Being proud and standing on that sends a clear message that you're comfortable in who you are and are ready to step out into the dating world. There are also other ways to boost your confidence, not in posture but body language.

1.     Making Eye Contact

2.     Smiling

3.     Maintaining an Open Stance

These are all examples of nonverbal cues that will make you seem more approachable and confident. So, before you head out on your next date be sure to practice your posture as well as your body language. It may not feel like much, but it could make a huge difference in how your date perceives you.

Active listening is not only one of the most important things to demonstrate but also the best way to get to know your date. It also makes them feel valued and appreciated, which more than likely will make them want to continue spending time with you.

You can learn about someone’s hopes, dreams, and values by encouraging them to share their feelings and thoughts. Not only does it help them with how they view you as a person, but this can also help you decide whether they are someone you could imagine yourself spending a long-term relationship with.

Finally, active listening can help build rapport and trust between you and your date. If they feel like they can trust you to really listen to them and understand them, they will be more likely to be open to you and feel comfortable sharing more of themselves and their lives with you. Be an active listener, it not only will boost your confidence, but you will also get an inside scoop on who it is you’re on a date with.

In conclusion, I hope this guide has given you some meaningful and helpful tips for confidently dating after 50. It is never too late to find love, and don’t forget that! You can find the relationship you've been searching for with some effort and a positive attitude. You deserve to be happy and to experience all the love and compassion that this life has to offer. So go out and find it and do it with Confidence!