Saturday 27 April 2013

Is Sex An Important Part Of Your Life?


Shhhh... sex does not stop in your 60's!
But according to experts older people find it difficult to talk about sex and do not know where to go for advice.
Age UK said that despite problems associated with getting older it did not mean an end to a sex life.
The charity carried out a survey of over 65's and found that a quarter (24%) said their sexual lifestyle has not changed despite their age.
old couple
Sex drives thrive in old age
But more than a quarter (28%) feel they cannot talk to their partner about sex and over two thirds (69%) have never sought sexual health advice.
And almost one in 10 (8%) of over-65s are keen to embark on a new sexual relationship.
The survey highlighted the extent to which sex remains an important part of people's lives, with almost two thirds (62%) of over-65's in the survey saying that they are currently enjoying a fulfilling sex life.
What's more, a wish to keep the spark alive came through in the findings, as one in eight (12%) said they would like to try new things with their partner.
Just under one in five (18%) want to be more sexually active - rising to over a quarter (27%) among men.
Lucy Harmer, from Age UK, said: "Our survey shows that having a healthy sex life is important to us regardless of our age.
"However, we also found that many older people may find it hard to speak up about sex, be it to their partner, friends or healthcare professionals.
"Age UK is keen to increase awareness of the importance of seeking out information and advice on sex - whatever your age.
"Some people's knowledge will be based on guidance received when they were first sexually active a number of years ago - and it's vital that those in later life have access to relevant, up-to-date information.
"The changes that many people face as we age, such as the menopause or finding our joints become less supple, don't necessarily mean our sex life has to stop.
"The right information and advice will help people in later life to keep sexually active and healthy for as long as desired."
:: A total of 2,000 UK adults over 65, and 2,000 UK adults under 50, were surveyed via an online poll by Vision Critical in November 2012.

Friday 26 April 2013

Secrets to a Successful Re-Entry Into the World of Dating


Re-entering the dating scene after divorce or a long-term relationship can be intimidating and daunting to any woman.
Even the most accomplished, confident or beautiful woman can regress to the point of feeling like a pimple-faced, awkward adolescent at a middle school dance.
To say you feel “out of practice” may be a gross understatement. It is enough to make you curl up on the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s while sobbing through reruns of romantic Hugh Grant movies.
You may even be convinced romance is just for the lucky or the young. To make matters worse, you may be feeling discarded, unappreciated or rejected by your former spouse or lover.
While the realization you don’t want to spend the rest of your life alone may be surfacing, you may also be asking if it is worth the risk to give love another chance, especially if you have just been burned and the wounds are still painfully fresh.
While the cautionary tales of “love gone bad” are ever abundant, sometimes hope springs eternal and you may find yourself considering “giving it another go.”
There are ways to wisely navigate through this “flowered meadow” filled with potential land mines.

1. Get really clear about what you want.

Wisdom does come through experience. By now, you know yourself and likely have some clarity about what you want and need in a relationship.
Do you actually want another long-term relationship or marriage, or do you just want some companionship?
You may find you need some time and space on your own to recover and avoid the sometimes ghastly “rebound relationship.”

“A renewed sense of joy just might lead
you to the best love you have ever had.”

2. Try not to take the process too seriously.

This is easier said than done since it may feel like your heart is on the line, but remember love and romance are supposed to be fun.
I think it’s sad when all the joy is taken out of the equation and is displaced by fear.
If you need to ease back in slowly, try to participate in social engagements and settings which feel safe and enjoyable to you.
Choose activities which interest and excite you since having a life filled with things you love is very attractive and rewarding.
While you are not likely to meet “The One” at a daytime yoga class, it is at least getting you out of the house.
Once you feel more comfortable in social situations, you can branch out and stretch a little by expanding your social circles and trying new things.
Then once you really get your mojo going strong, you can go to where the men are: car shows, business events, financial seminars and sporting events, just to name a few. Or maybe try Internet Dating?
A renewed sense of joy, hope and adventure just might lead you to the best love you have ever had.
Are you ready?
Michelle Marchant Johnson is a writer, speaker and relationship coach who partners with single women who want to find love and romance. Go to www.lovelifelifecoaching.com to receive your complimentary "7 Attraction Principles" e-course, "Love Notes" newsletter and request a complimentary "Find Your Love" coaching session. Michelle found love at age 43 and is a breast cancer survivor who believes life is meant to be filled with love and passion.

Monday 22 April 2013

Online Dating Advice


Whether you're completely new to online dating, or are just getting back onto the dating scene after a break, there are a few things you should bear in mind before getting started. Keep in mind that to grow any relationship, you have to give a little to get a little, we also want you to exercise caution when getting to know any potential new dating partners whether you meet them in a bar, through a friends or on our site. Here are a few things you might like to consider:


Stay in Control

We want to ensure that you have a safe and successful experience on Dating Over 50 UK. We therefore strongly recommend that you stay within the site to build up relationships over time, rather than giving out your phone number, personal email or instant messenger address to matches that interest you straight away. Remember that on our site you are fully in control of all your searches and can choose to take things at your own pace.

Keep it Real

With online dating you get what you give. Honesty and communication have often been viewed as the cornerstones of a happy relationship, so by being honest about yourself and what you're looking for in a partner from the start, you'll have a better chance of meeting someone who's right for you. Research shows that members with photographs receive as many as seven times more responses to their profiles than those without. So be sure to choose a recent picture that accurately reflects how you look now. Pick a headshot that clearly shows your face, in focus, smiling and in a flattering light, and maybe a full-length shot, or one showing you doing something you enjoy such as walking your dog in the country.

Get the Most From Your Time on Dating Over 50 UK

When creating your profile, you want to catch peoples' eyes and stand out from the crowd, so it pays to be specific in your interests and to highlight the qualities you have. Don't just simply state 'I have a good sense of humour' or 'I enjoy nights in with a bottle of wine and a DVD'. Try to expand a little. If someone you like the sound of shows an interest in you, take a good look at their profile. Personalising your first email to them is everything. Pick up on common life experiences and interests and make a connection that way. A first email is about getting the conversation started, not revealing your entire life story - so leave something for you both to chat about next time. Make responding to your email as easy as possible by asking them some questions, it's important to remember that the person at the other end may be waiting for you to make the first move.

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Loneliness 'time bomb' warning fuelled by baby-boomer divorces


Research published as part of David Cameron’s plan to measure the nation’s “happiness” indicates that almost seven million members of the baby-boomer generation and above admit feeling lonely.
Among people over 80, the proportion rises to almost half, including a large minority who admit they feel lonely much of the time.
But campaign groups warned that the study suggests that the generation now approaching retirement will prove to be a “loneliness time bomb”.
The study, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shows that loneliness is most acute among those who live alone or have long-standing illnesses which prompt then to become more isolated.
But the report also draws attention to the role of divorce and separation among over 50s as a major contributory factor.
Using data gathered as part of the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing which follows the lives of more than 10,000 English people throughout older age, ONS analysts found that 34 per cent of people aged 52 and over openly described themselves as feeling lonely some or much of the time.
Among over 80s the proportion rises to 46 per cent, including 17 per cent who said that they felt lonely much of the time.
Almost six out of 10 of those samples who lived on their own spoke of feeling lonely, the same proportion of those who described them selves as being in poor health who also felt acute isolation.
Unsurprisingly those who had been widowed were most likely to feel lonely some or much of the time – 63 per cent. But those who had been divorced or separated were next in line, with 51 per cent reporting loneliness marking their lives.
By contrast only just over four out of 10 of those who had always been single said they felt lonely.
The figures show that consistently higher proportions of women report feeling loneliness more acutely than men. The ONS said that this may be because, as women live longer, a higher proportion experience being widowed than men.
Official figures published last year showed that the numbers of According to the Office for National Statistics the number of so-called “silver splitters” – older people getting divorced from their husband or wife had almost doubled in a decade.
Laura Ferguson, director of the Campaign to End Loneliness, who supports greater services for older people, said social changes meant that Britain could soon be facing a loneliness epidemic.
She said: “In the cohort of people coming through there are larger numbers of people living alone – partly due to divorce – than ever before.
“If we don’t shift attitudes to being alone and not being happy with that, I think frankly they are a time bomb.
“If there is a large cohort coming through with all of the risk factors [for loneliness] we are going to have a very serious problem.”
She added that the problem was most acute among women not just because of the loss of a partner but because women are more likely than men to experience bereavement through the loss of close friends whom they outlive.
Michelle Mitchell, director general of Age UK, said: “As we get older, we are more likely to suffer illness and disability which can prevent us from getting out and about, and people’s social networks often shrink due to life-changing events such as retirement and bereavement which can increase the risk of becoming lonely.
“We are extremely concerned that cuts to local authority budgets are exacerbating the problem of loneliness and isolation for many older people.”
Andrew Burgess, planning director of Churchill Retirement Living, said: “The latest census data shows that approximately one in six people in England and Wales are over 65 and this is by far the fastest growing age group.
“Many people in this age range will end up in single-person households due to the death of a partner, the breakdown of a relationship, or the loosening of family bonds.
“Declining health and mobility challenges will invariably exacerbate the situation for many.
“This is not just a problem for us as a society concerned for the mental well-being of our neighbours – studies have shown that lonely people are more likely to suffer from health problems and require more support from the state.”

Article from The Daily Telegraph

You don't have to be alone - find a senior partner here

Friday 12 April 2013

Getting Back in the Game


Dating among the senior set is becoming more popular thanks to online dating sites for retirees and a more liberal acceptance of senior sexuality. Seniors may have a lot of experience under their belts, but they’re also up for new adventures and relationships. This list of dating tips is just for seniors, from the casual dating crowd to grandmas looking for love.
Dating again after a divorce, death or just a long slump can be overwhelming. There are new rules to the game, but that doesn’t mean you have to be left out. Check here for tips on getting back on your feet.
  1. No excuses: Don’t cheat yourself of love in your later years by telling yourself that you’re too old or too out-of-date to have a good time. You don’t have to be the cutting edge serial dater you were in your 20's, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to find someone who makes you happy.
  2. Remember how much fun you used to have: Get out of the house and surround yourself with friends and contemporaries when you’re feeling low.
  3. Start off slow: Ease yourself back into dating by attending group events at community centers you’re familiar with.
  4. Don’t overdo it: Staying out all night or all weekend may have been easy back in the day, but keep yourself in check when you’re first starting to date again.
  5. Dating After Loss of a Spouse: Read Elaine Williams’ blog entry about grieving for a spouse and understanding when you’re ready to move on.
  6. Be open minded: The rules may have changed a bit since you were dating, so be open minded about modern dating etiquette.
  7. Stay true to yourself: You’ve kept your morals and your opinions this long, so don’t sacrifice everything you know for a new beau.
  8. Don’t abandon your past: If you’re afraid that a new boyfriend or girlfriend will make you forget your family or past relationships, have a discussion with that person to let them know that you’ll always remain close to your past and that a new relationship doesn’t entail leaving them behind.
  9. Don’t take it so seriously: Getting back in the game can be nerve wracking at first, but just remember to have fun, explore your options and stay true to yourself.
  10. Moving On After a Relationship Break-Up: This article offers more tips for moving on to another relationship after a break-up, divorce or even the death of a loved one.

Start dating again and find new friends here!

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Advantages of Dating After 40!


On Dec. 31, 2009, one day before the baby boomer generation turned 65, a New York Times article reported, "79 million baby boomers, about 26 percent of this country's population, will be redefining what it means to be older."
Today, in 2013, this statement may be proving to be true. The healthier, harder working and simply younger-seeming face of middle age and senior men and women is something worth acknowledging. And a generation that refuses to take on the stigmas of old age and give up vital aspects of themselves in the process? Well, that's something worth celebrating.
One of the worst of these stigmas is that a person can be "too old to fall in love." The 2009 census showed that of the 96 million Americans who are single, 17 percent of them are over 65. Imagine these 16.2 million people writing off the possibility of spending the rest of their days with someone they love. Then picture the millions more 40- and 50-something men and women who are buying into the belief that it's just too late for them to be in a happy, fulfilling romantic relationship.
When it comes to dating later in life, the scene is far from hopeless. A 2003 AARP survey of 3,501 single men and women aged 40-69 showed that 63 percent were dating. An additional 13 percent wanted to find a date, while 14 percent were interested "if the right person happens to come along." Almost half of those surveyed stated that their main reason for dating was "to have someone to talk to or do things with." Companionship is incredibly important at every age. The better we know ourselves, the better able we are to choose partners who complement us and enhance our daily lives. Thus, there are certain real advantages of dating after 40, 50, or any age in which you are able and willing to reflect on your years of experience and genuinely learn from your past.

One benefit of dating after 40 is that by this age, most of us have had a variety of experiences in at least one serious relationship. This gives us the opportunity to reflect on our patterns. We can think about the people we have chosen and question the traits we are looking for. We often wind up with the same kind of partner in the same kind of relationship -- without even realizing how we got there. An important concept to keep in mind when dating is that we aren't always attracted for the right reasons. Relationships tend to fail when we seek out and pair up with people whose defenses and negative characteristics perfectly complement our own.
When it comes to pursuing a romantic relationship, we don't have to act automatically or get stuck in old patterns. We can resist falling into a relationship based on form or familiar dynamics, choosing a real connection over what my father psychologist and author Robert Firestone refers to as a fantasy bond, an illusion of fusion in which two people seek a feeling of safety and familiarity by choosing people who fit with old identities. Couples in a fantasy bond tend to merge their identities, relating as a unit instead of two independent individuals
By understanding our history, we can make a conscious effort to make different choices, to look for new kinds of partners, and to challenge destructive tendencies in ourselves. It's no wonder that in the same AARP survey both men and women listed their biggest romantic frustration as "dating people with a lot of baggage." The more we are willing to look into our own emotional baggage and uncover our real selves, the more successful we will be in our intimate relationships.
As we get to know ourselves, we are certain to find out things we don't necessarily like that hurt us in past relationships. Clients of mine often recognize in retrospect ways they were overly controlling, jealous, passive, or victimized in their marriage or a serious relationship. They've also learned a great deal about the people they've chosen. Many of us tend to be drawn to partners who recreate familial dynamics from childhood. We may choose people who treat us in ways that were similar to how we were treated in our household. We may choose someone who doesn't respect or acknowledge us or someone who is intrusive or demanding toward us. When we accept the fact that some of the people we're attracted to aren't always the ones who treat us the best, we are better able to be open to people who are different from our "type."
A woman in her 50s realized that her whole life she'd only dated men who were unsuccessful, struggled financially, and who she somehow wound up supporting. This dynamic fit with her identity growing up: Her father had called her "the son he never had" and pressured her to become a self-reliant businesswoman. Meanwhile, he himself drove the family to bankruptcy with his own corrupt business practices. The woman's feeling that she needed to "take care" of a man was deeply rooted in her past. When she finally dated a man who was self-sufficient and supported himself, she actually felt insecure, as though she were no longer needed. However, by becoming aware of this tendency in herself, she was able to break the pattern and achieved happiness in her relationship.
After seeking the same sort of partner for years, it can be difficult to tell if we are attracted to someone for the right or wrong reasons. One helpful approach is to enlist the help of friends. Another advantage of dating later in our lives is that, by now, we usually have at least a small network of solid, longtime friends who we really trust. Sometimes our friends are more aware of our negative tendencies than we are.
Try taking your friends' advice on who you should date. If you're looking into online dating, try going out with someone your friend suggests. Years ago, a friend of mine in her late 60s refused to go out with a highly interested bachelor she was introduced to on a dating site. She wrote him off as "too persistent, too formal," and even "too old." Eventually, she allowed another female friend of hers to talk her into accepting a date with the man. Despite her initial resistance, she couldn't deny that her friend was right. The man made her laugh, made her happy, and she's enjoyed her relationship with him ever since, experiencing more emotional closeness than ever before.
One downside of dating later in life is that we tend to use our negative past experiences to colour our outlook on relationships in general. No matter how many "insensitive losers" we think we've dated, that does not mean every man or woman out there is another "insensitive loser" waiting to be unmasked. When we enter the dating world, we should expect to have countless "critical inner voices" toward ourselves and our potential partners. These negative thoughts may tell us we are too old or that it's too late for us, that love is not for us, or that we are not attractive anymore. Our "voices" about our partner or potential partner may include thoughts like, "All the good ones are already taken," or "There must be something wrong with him/her," or "He/ She is only interested in you for security."
These thoughts must be acknowledged and challenged whenever they arise. Don't succumb to critical inner voices about yourself or the people who might make you happy. Don't be quick to put yourself down or pick your partner apart. Instead, take chances and tune in to how you feel in your heart, instead of tuning in to the running analysis in your head. The online dating world in particular opens up the doorway to meet new people; however, be careful to avoid the allure of the critical voice telling you that there is always something better out there instead of making it work with someone who you could have a real connection with.
The best case scenario for any relationship is for two strong, independent people to get together and truly enjoy each other. When you date later in your life, you're often forced to acknowledge that both you and your partner have your own separate, adult lives. You may even have two families, two sets of children, etc. You can use this reality to exercise respect and patience with each other as autonomous individuals. In this way, you can become close while maintaining your separate identity. While it may feel like there is more pressure to find someone the older you get, some of the pressure is actually off. You may no longer be feeling the societal pressures of looking for a spouse, having kids, or seeking financial support. Instead, you are simply looking for true companionship -- someone who makes you happy, a person you enjoy spending your time with.
When we do find someone, it's valuable to remember that all close relationships stir up existential fears. When we value another person, we value life more, and it becomes much more frightening to think of losing it. When we are older, more of these fears naturally tend to arise. Yet, we can use this reality to be even more present in the moment and to enjoy and appreciate the preciousness of the time we have with someone we care for. We can experience the real joys of life and uncover more aspects of ourselves.
Anxieties about getting older make it all too easy to succumb to the stereotype that love is for kids. It is neither foolish nor undignified to be in love at any age. Love actually helps us live longer. It brings us out of our shell. The part of us that wants to connect with someone else is always alive within us. It doesn't burn out or fade away. The more we develop as individuals and discover new aspects of ourselves, the better able we are to be close to someone else. Because of this, it is truly never too late to fall in love.
Read more from Dr. Lisa Firestone at PsychAlive.org.

Monday 8 April 2013

What Can You Tell Me About Online Dating For Older People?


Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about online dating for older people? My daughter has been urging me to give it a try, but at age 62, I'm a little hesitant.
--Lonely Senior
Dear Lonely: Dating sites have become enormously popular among the older generation in recent years. In fact, boomers and seniors make up about 20 percent of online daters today, and the numbers keeps growing. Here's what you should know.
Meeting Online
If you're interested in dating again or are just looking for a friend to spend time with, dating websites are an easy way to meet hundreds of new single people without ever having to leave home.
If you're feeling hesitant, a good way to ease into it is to visit a few dating sites and look around. Most services allow you to check out their members at no cost or obligation. Then, if you like what you see, you can sign up (fees typically range between $15 and $60 per month, however some sites are free) and start emailing members you're interested in or they can email you. Here are some other tips to help you get started.
Choose a site: With over 1,000 matchmaking sites on the Internet today, choosing can be a bit overwhelming. Depending on your preferences here are some popular options to look into.
If you don't want to spend any money, there are free sites, but beware that these sites have a lot of ads and sometimes don't always attract the right kind of person!.
If you're interested in lots of choices, you could consider mainstream sites which have huge memberships in all demographics, but you can get a bit overwhelmed by the choice.
Or, if you are looking to find a specific type of person, there are hundreds of niche sites like www.datingover50UK.com for those aged 50 and older, or www.datingforsingleparentsuk.com to find other single parents.
Create a profile: When you join a dating site you'll need to create a personality profile that reflects who you are including recent photos, hobbies, interests, favorite activities and more. If you need some help, sites like eFlirtExpert.com or VirtualDatingAssistants.com can write one for you for a fee.
Use caution: When you register with a dating site you remain anonymous. No one gets access to your full name, address, phone number or email until you decide to give it out. So be very prudent who you give your information to, and before meeting, chat on the phone a few times or video chat online, and when you do meet in person for the first time, meet in a public place or bring a friend along. If you want to be extra cautious, you can do a quick background check on your date for a few dollars at sites like valimate.com and mymatchchecker.com.
Don't be naive: In an effort to get more responses, many people will exaggerate or flat out lie in their profiles, or post pictures that are 10 years old or 20 pounds lighter. So don't believe everything you see or read.
Make an effort: A lot of times, people -- especially women -- sit back and let others come to them. Don't be afraid to make the first move. When you find someone you like, send a short note that says, "I really enjoyed your profile. I think we have some things in common." Keep it simple.
Don't get discouraged: If you don't get a response from someone, don't let it bother you. Just move on. There are many others that will be interested in you and it only takes one person to make Internet dating worthwhile.

Friday 5 April 2013

Mature Dating Means Changing The Way You Think About Love


For all the positive stories of long lost loves and happily married couples we post on Huff/Post50, we know that many are finding themselves back in the dating game for the first time in years.
While you would think your age would translate into mature dating experiences, many women (and men) find themselves reliving their teen years when it comes to the dating world. Unreliability and confusion do not have to be a part of your dating-over-50 experience, dating coach Bobbi Palmer told Huff/Post50.
"A lot of people who are dating in their 50s probably haven't dated since they were [in their 20s] -- they're paralyzed, they still have the old vision of themselves and the old vision of the boys they were dating," Palmer said. "We all mature -- most of us -- and this is the best time for anyone to date."
Though there are new realities to deal with if you're dating after 50 (illness, sandwich generation concerns, menopause or impotence), it shouldn't dampen your love life or make you settle for anyone less than who you deserve.
"It's about undoing 35 years of thoughts, beliefs and truths that don't work anymore," Palmer said.
The relationship expert shared her six-step plan to help women start dating like a grown-up. Tell us what you think of her advice -- and your own experiences dating after 50 -- in the comments below.
1. Fall in love with yourself. 
If you find yourself dating again in your 50s, chances are a major life event -- whether it be divorce or losing your loved one -- has given you quite the beating. So before you rush out looking for love again, it's important to be ok with who you are, said Palmer. "It's about reacquainting yourself with who you are today and what value you hold in a partnership," she said. "A lot of people are still holding on to the old vision of themselves."
2. Getting past your list. 
You know what Palmer is talking about. The internal list we all have that makes finding your perfect partner as hard as lassoing a unicorn. But holding on to that impossible list isn't fair to you or the men you date, Palmer said. Instead of focusing on things like appearance, the type of car he drives and "all the adjectives you've had since you were 24," she says, "really [figure] out the feelings you want to feel in a partnership and what that looks like in real life. Women of maturity learn that there are so many different attributes of a man that count so much more."
3. "I'm fabulous, so what's the damn problem?"
There's still more "me work" to be done when dating like a grown-up. There's still the matter of erasing "those recordings that play in your head about men and relationships," Palmer said. "'Men only want sex, men don't want relationships...' It's about getting past your limiting beliefs."
Palmer acknowledges that these beliefs can become as automatic as "blinking," but said it's a matter of first recognizing that those beliefs exist and working through why you feel that way. "It's about being intellectual with your beliefs and realizing they aren't true," instead of being completely emotional, she said.
4. Casting the net. 
"Make a plan of where and how you're going to meet the right men and how to get a date," Palmer advised. Whether it's getting online (which is how Palmer met her husband), classes, or social meetups for post 50s, "get out of your house, because a lot of us do the same routine everyday at [this] point in our lives," she said. "We need to be proactive in going places where you're going to potentially meet eligible men."
Once you've reeled in a man of interest, there are a few things the mature woman dating over 50 needs to know.
"Men don't want to chase women," Palmer said, laughing. "The whole Rules thing ... men in their 50s and 60s know what they want, they know how to get it, so they don't go for the hard to get stuff."
That doesn't mean you have to take the lead, Palmer said, but it does mean it's ok to show you're interested in the person. "Men love that," Palmer said. "They've been rejected since they were 14 years old at the dance. We think we have to deal with rejection, but they've had it 100 times worse. Compassion is the key to having an enjoyable time when you're dating. They're just like us and we're all people."
5. "Rendezvous to romance." 
So you've fallen in love with yourself, created a more realistic and flexible list of the traits you'd like in a partner, broadened your social circle and got the date with a man you're attracted to... now what?
"On a first and second date you're not trying to figure out if you're going to marry him," Palmer said with a chuckle. "You want to put your best foot forward [and] you want to show personality."
And putting your best foot forward means knowing what "baggage" needs to be checked at the door.
"You don't need to share about your kids who are ungrateful, your bankruptcy case from five years ago or your gout," Palmer said. "And never talk about exes or previous dates. Don't even go there."
6. "Should I stay or should I go?" 
Fast forward to a future version of yourself who's a few dates in with this new man. You've reached the final step of dating like a grown-up: after all the self-reflection and open conversation "[apply] that to making the decision if they're still a good partner," Palmer said. "Is he giving you the feelings that you've identified [are important to you] in your list? It's about getting that intellect back and making good choices."
If the person you've found continues to hit all the new and approved adult checkmarks you've made for yourself, great! See how the relationship unfolds and revisit that list often. But if not, don't be afraid to start all over again.
"You're really special and you have a lot to give," Palmer said. "The right man will totally dig it and the wrong man won't but that's ok."
It'll be easier this time around -- now that you know how to date like a grown-up.

Thursday 4 April 2013

By 50, Women Should Know How To......


After much discussion, those at the Huff/Post50 compiled their own list of 50 things they believe every woman should know how to do by the age of 50. Is there anything you'd add? 
By 50, women should know how to:
  1. Say "no" without feeling guilty
  2. Book their own travel
  3. Say "I'm sorry" and mean it
  4. Laugh at themselves
  5. Change a tire
  6. Take themselves out to dinner and/or a movie -- on their own
  7. Get around in a foreign country
  8. Program and operate their TV (this is easier said than done!)
  9. Mix at least a few classic cocktails
  10. Do their own taxes
  11. Invest in the stock market
  12. Make themselves and their own needs a priority
  13. Sew -- at least a little
  14. Defend themselves against an attacker with at least one signature self-defense move
  15. Perform CPR
  16. Carve a turkey
  17. Choose their own wine
  18. Light a grill -- and then cook on it
  19. Swim
  20. Order a credit report -- and then be able to read it
  21. Examine their own breasts
  22. Graciously accept a compliment
  23. Flip their own breaker
  24. Plunge a toilet
  25. Properly hang photos and artwork
  26. Whip up a signature dish that's not spaghetti or meatloaf
  27. Walk away from a situation or relationship when it's not working
  28. Tell off at least one person who deserves it
  29. Say what they really want in bed
  30. Put together a piece of "some assembly required" furniture
  31. Apply makeup without a mirror
  32. Buy something crazy expensive just because they want it
  33. Ask for a raise
  34. Mow their own yard
  35. Unclog a drain
  36. Tell which direction they are facing
  37. Tell at least one really good joke
  38. Make small talk with just about anyone
  39. Know when to reveal personal information -- and when not to
  40. Think critically and independently when hearing speeches and listening to the news
  41. Paint a room
  42. Buy the right-sized bra
  43. Beautifully wrap a present
  44. Hail a taxi
  45. Reach out to an old friend
  46. Jump a car battery
  47. Show love with actions and not just words
  48. Put together a real retirement strategy
  49. Look good in a photo
  50. Open a bottle of champagne

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Sex And Dating Over 50


A new survey reveals that women over 50 enjoy as much sex as those in their 20's!

They were also nearly as likely to use dating websites, with 11 per cent going online to meet a new partner compared to 15 per cent of women in their 20's.

Barriers are being broken! Join in the fun!



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