Dating in Your 40s: What Dating After Divorce Taught Me

No matter when the divorce comes to you, you always have a right and a chance to try out your luck in a happy relationship. If you dare to opt for dating after divorce in your 40s you will be stunned by all the opportunities, it will open to you. The only point is to approach the process properly and put in a decent effort and enthusiasm to succeed. Check out the post-divorce dating experience of different people and learn your lessons to benefit from your next relationships without any hassle. 

It Is Never Late for New Relationships

Gloria, 47, explains her findings, ‘When I was already through my online divorce in Michigan , I haven’t got any plans to date anytime soon. I always thought that a failed marriage put the end to any romance in my life. But now I am here dating a great partner I feel secure and comfortable with.’

‘What I am trying to say is that there are no age limits for love, dating, and personal happiness. So never restrict yourself from nurturing healthy relationships after divorce because of some prejudices or clichés related to your age.’

It Is Better Trust Your Feelings

Jessie, 49, shares how she changed her mind in favor of post-divorce relationships, ‘When the divorce process was over, I suddenly realized that every next day was making me older and decreasing my chances to ever date again.’ 

‘So I rushed to find a match as fast as I could before it became too late. It was a tough time of a sequence of failures in my private life before I realized I was simply not ready to date yet.’ 

‘I backed off a little. Healed completely from my unhappy marriage. And finally managed to meet a decent person who I am with now.’ 

‘The punch line here is that you don’t need to rush to date before time. Wait and let your heart and mind be over your past and welcome the future then. Plus, I have discovered that older people have great relations  if you choose wisely. So you are not limited in time if you have the desire and energy to commit to new relationships.’

Feeling Good Helps Looking Good

Anne, 42, confesses in her post-divorce dating secrets, ‘Everyone asks me how I succeeded in dating a divorced man in his 40s when I was no way younger or had a better relationship status.’

‘I just take good care of myself and feel great and confident as a result. I sleep enough, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and nurture my mental wellness. This is how I feel full of energy, attractive, and enthusiastic about building up steady relationships. I head to my target and reach it.’

Children’s Point Matters Much

David, 46, a father of two, reveals his approach to post-divorce dating , ‘As a custodial parent I always prioritize the wellness of my children but it doesn’t mean that I limit my private life opportunities.’

‘But when I date a person I like I don’t hurry with them meeting my kids. I only get them acquainted when I am sure the relationships are serious enough. I try not to keep my children ignorant about my private life but reveal it to them bit by bit in an age-appropriate manner. This is how I balance my family and private matter. This is how I’m not scared to date after divorce.’

Dating People with Similar Interests or Lifestyle Is Must

Karen, 42, opens up about her positive relationships experience, ‘It doesn’t matter how desperate I was to meet someone after divorce I never dated people who didn’t fit my liking.  A perfect date for me is a person who I feel secure and comfortable with, who I can freely laugh with, and who I share some interests or life views with. If I see we are drastically different I waste no time and effort dating a person. Maybe I am over forty and have fewer chances to commence another relationship but I will never date just for the sake of the process and don’t recommend it to anyone.’ 

Realistic Approach to Dating Brings Success

Deborah, 48, a divorcee and a relationships coach, gives personal and professional advice, ‘From my own experience and my coaching practice I can claim that dating in your forties is never easy but is worth it. You should only follow several principles:

• be open to date invitations, but don’t forget about personal security;
• care about positive first impressions;
• get ready to have fun on a date even if you are nervous;
• don’t be ashamed to flirt but don’t give false hopes, too;
• talk straightly about your personal life, including kids and divorce, but don’t get too much into the topic;
• ask a person for a second date if you enjoyed your time together.’

‘Overall it is important to act confidently but keep up with the boundaries and respect the people you date. Eventually, you will meet a good match for steady relationships if you really want it.’

Dating when divorced and in your forties is not a disaster but quite a challenge. You should be ready to work hard and enthusiastically if you want to succeed. Don’t rush into new relationships if you are not fully over with the previous ones. Be open and optimistic about dating in general. Learn to love and care about yourself if you want others to do so. Never betray your principles and priorities when desperate to find a date. In the end, if you are ready and willing to meet a good partner after divorce, you won’t be disappointed, just put in some time and effort.