This post is sponsored by OlderDating.com. All opinions are entirely my own.
I hear it all the time. Dating is hard. Somehow it manages to get even more exhausting and complicated the older we get. What (or who) is to blame here? Limited attention spans? A shrinking pool of available mates? The dawn of social media? Whatever the reason, dating will likely present a variety of new challenges at each stage in life. Here is my very unscientific look at what it’s like to date through the years (please note: my conclusions are drawn mainly from my own experiences and what I see happening around me. Obviously a fair bit of generalization is at stake so please don’t take it too seriously). 🙂
Teens: Raging hormones; we are babies and have no idea what we are doing
20s: We’re far too young to commit; too many seeds to sow
30s: We focus on advancing our careers; relationships often take a backseat
40s: Career = stable. Finances finally fall into place. We are ready to commit, but the dating pool shows a lot of divorcées, which tends to complicate things
50s: The search for pure companionship continues. Kids (if there are any) are older; men and women tend to approach dating differently. Women want to be intellectually stimulated, men sometimes like to be stimulated in other ways (eye roll)
60s: You begin to think about retirement and all the things you can do with your life now that the home is paid for and the kids are off. For couples lucky to have stayed together, now is the time you reconnect. For divorcées, challenges abound—thank Buddha for online dating. Here is a great resource for over 50s dating, for anyone interested.
Beyond that, I’m not sure I could make a precise generalization. I don’t know anyone dating in their 70s+, but would love to hear about some of the challenges and experiences at this—and any—stage in life.
Also here is a hilarious look at what dating is like for Jamie Foxx (“It’s tough out there!”)
What has been your experience with dating? Would love to know your thoughts and
happy Monday, all!
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash
Beth says
Not going to lie, I’m pretty thankful that my husband and I got together so young and stayed together so I didn’t have to go through dating in my 20’s or even now in my 30’s. I feel for my single friends right now so much, it is NOT an easy game at all. I do think you kind of hit the nail on the head at dating at various ages!
ShootingStarsMag says
Sounds like a fairly accurate estimation of what dating seems to be like for people in these age groups. To be honest, I’ve never dated anyone so I don’t have any personal stories. LOL I do feel like a lot of people in my life are married in their 20’s though.
-Lauren
Katie says
Obviously, I can’t speak to a bunch of these years, but I have never been one to date much. I often find I just don’t have the time or energy for the BS and usually have other projects, career, healthy lifestyle kind of things that take my preference of time, energy and attention. This obviously means, I’m often single more than I ever am in a relationship. While I do hope to find someone that I can share my life with, I’m also not willing to stop living my life or doing the things I want to do while I wait for Mr. Right. There’s also the fact that so much of dating is occurring online or through apps, and while I have tried them, I find them to be so awkward and forced that I leave within a week of signing up. It’s just not natural for ME, so I guess we’ll just see what life and the Universe has in store. 🙂
Glamamom says
Interesting. I got married in my twenties so I don’t have a good perspective of dating through the decades but sounds about right!
Melissa Sperka says
That’s an interesting assessment and rings true on many levels. I suppose it demonstrates the search for love and your soul mate only ends when you find them. No matter your age. ♥
Eli@CoachDaddy says
When you’re old like Jamie Foxx and me, things are tough all over. Especially if you’re old like Jamie Foxx and me, but aren’t Jamie Foxx!
Nikki says
I like this post, though I can’t relate to it personally. I married my husband at 22. But I do have a few close friends and family members who are struggling with the dating scene in their late 20’s and early 30’s. I think its tough no matter the decade.
lisa thomson says
This is a great synopsis, Charlotte! I laughed when I read that Divorcees complicate things out there—-hahahaha, so true.
I disagree with the dating in the 50’s. I think women are the ones looking for the other kind of stimulation because we’ve had enough of b.s. in the bedroom. We’re looking for a man who can satisfy….hahaha. I’ll leave it at that. Great and fun post!
Dominique says
I don’t think I have ever been happier to be married and have my dating days behind me. I remember back in my 20’s when we went to bars and clubs to meet potential partners… now all my friends who are in their 30’s and single find that’s just not the solution these days! We try to do “girls nights” every now and then but I’m not sure single men in the 30+ range are hanging out at the places we do… which I think can be tricky for some of my friends who I know prefer to stay off-line to find someone to date…
Anyway, after all that just quietly I was a little excited to see our posts kinda followed the same theme this week 😉
Kim Airhart says
I was with my ex husband for 10 years. Once I broke free from that and was ready to date I found Mr. J. I had only went on 1 other date with another guy before I found him. Mr. J had me at date 2. The rest is history.
Lucy Clarke says
I love this post. I reckon it’s pretty accurate! I’m mid 30s, married, and to be honest, the focus is all on my kids and work. My relationship takes a major back seat! I think I should work on that a little more!
Divya says
Yes!! I was just talking about this with my sister. Not only does dating change depending on where you’re at, but also so much has changed in HOW dating happens. Online dating has revolutionized the whole dating scene in both positive and negative ways!
Akaleistar says
That video is hilarious, and I agree with your dating breakdown 🙂
Tamara says
Oh boy. I never dated past 36 or so. And it’s 10 years later! I have seen that it seems to get harder, but I have an experienced it firsthand.
Trish @ The Trish List says
I just got married last year in my 30’s. My husband is older than me and is a divorcee with kids. It’s tough! When I was ready to settle down and find the one everyone had kids or messy divorces going on. Not always fun. I can say now, almost a year into my marriage I am thankful for the solo time I get when hubby is with kids, etc. It is so freeing to have companionship and me time without guilt!
Davina says
Hehe nice read.. in my 30’s and so true.
Kamau says
Very Informative. thanks
Kiss Your Life says
Sounds Good! Yeah its harder so I don’t want date any guy.