Have you considered online senior dating to find love?

Feeling nervous or unsure of yourself as an older dater is normal. And guess what?… You’re not alone: A recent study by the Census Bureau showed that 19.5 million unmarried US residents are 65 or older.

And many years ago, senior dating wasn’t something common in our society. Only recently have we realized that retirees aren’t ROMANTICALLY retired. Love doesn’t care about age but feelings and emotions.

And aging adults also seek romantically thrilling experiences that go at their own pace. But mature dating can be tricky. Nevertheless, if you have confidence in yourself and are patient, you can get what you want from a relationship.

Joining dating apps as a senior has become a trend. However, there are some things you should know about online senior dating after 50. You need to be bold, keep an open mind and heart, and, most importantly, avoid making some common mistakes to find love.

Unfortunately, many seniors aren’t even aware of the mistakes they typically make during a date. So let’s talk about the 12 mistakes seniors make when online dating.

Too Inactive Online

People in senior dating frequently make their dating profile and don’t even bother logging in for a few days afterward. Some will try to save money by avoiding membership fees. Others get discouraged when they don’t get contacted immediately and ignore their profile.

But online dating requires consistency. You should keep an active profile and answer your messages regularly in order to begin making connections.

Neglecting to Tap Into Online Dating Altogether

While online dating started becoming more popular back when Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in “Got Mail,” some still aren’t using this resource, especially those who are 55 and older.

If you’re among them, the time has never been better to sign up for a senior dating site or even an app on your phone.

Overthinking Your Responses

Always be yourself! Formal responses don’t really get results because they sound too stiff. For instance: “I see you enjoy long walks on the beach…what beaches have you been to, and which one is your favorite?” The issue here is that this sounds like an interview question.

If you want to get to know someone better, share a little about your own experiences to show your personality. Your responses shouldn’t take 15 minutes with a 5-syllable vocabulary.

Not Updating Your Profile On A Regular Basis

Many seniors use old pictures on their profiles and leave them there for months without ever updating them. They take a one-and-done approach and don’t update their current experiences, status, or activities. All in all, their senior dating profile simply looks boring.

If you haven’t changed your photos in a while, maybe it’s time to switch things up a little bit. Update your image and talk about your current hobbies or adventures.

A Profile That Reads Like a Soap Opera

While some overthink, others tend to overshare. Too much information can have the same effect as not giving anything away. Let your life experience unlock your thoughts and needs.

For example, one man’s profile might contain five paragraphs about his journey into self-awareness. His experiences might lead him to write a book, but that level of detail is inappropriate for an online senior dating profile.

Not Being Honest About Your Needs

We know that people over 55 are really searching for mature dating. But, they often miss the mark when describing what they want on their profiles. If you pretend you’re on the senior dating platform with no intention, you won’t get anything out of it.

You shouldn’t play with unclear wording. Express what you want directly and make every effort to meet your needs. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship or just someone to have some fun with, you should communicate that and be clear about your requirements.

Generic Phrasing

How many profiles have you seen that use generic lingo? We’ve all heard about it in the online world and even in movies, “I’m fun, happy, and I love to travel.”

While it may be true that no one wants to read your entire life story on your senior dating profile, not using highly descriptive words won’t get you anywhere, either. What exactly makes you happy? And where are your favorite places to travel?

Not Ready Mentally

Seniors can often be overeager and initiate online dating after turning 55. They might even go through dozens of online dating profiles. But when it actually comes time to start dating, they feel their anxiety levels go up.

They fail to make a connection due to a lack of mental preparation. It’s good to make a list of the pros and cons of online senior dating and not just dive in headfirst. You should always be mentally prepared.

Poor Quality Photos

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we don’t live in the early 2000s anymore. You should stop using photos of yourself in the bathroom mirror, in the car, blurry photos, or selfies.

And how many times can you really look at a profile picture that’s an image of Venice, the Northern lights, the Taj Mahal, or the Eiffel Tower? …Which, by the way, don’t have A PERSON in them!

Most folks have smartphones nowadays. Take advantage of that and have a friend snap some shots of you doing the things you love.

Giving Up After a Few Dates

Dating, in general, can be an emotional rollercoaster. Online senior dating can be even worse. But you should ride it out if you want to find the person you’re looking for.

You may feel discouraged or sad after a few mismatches or rejections. But rather than quit, you should learn from them, update your profile and begin the ride again!

Worry About What Others Think

Many seniors worry about how their friends, family, and society, in general, will feel about their relationships through online senior dating. It might also be more challenging for their family to accept a new person.

But these matters shouldn’t hold you back from trying to find a match. And you shouldn’t stop thinking about yourself simply to make your family, friends, and everyone else happy. Put yourself and your happiness first, and avoid people offering inappropriate or wrong guidance.

Relying On What Your Friends Say

This final senior dating mistake goes hand in hand with what we previously said but deserves mentioning on its own. Too many mature singles say things like “My friends tell me I’m…” in their online dating profiles.

But let’s be honest. You already know what your best characteristics and attributes are by now. Potential dates, as should you, expect people on online dating sites to be able to describe who they are.

Try to define yourself online without saying things like, “People tell me I’m…” Do some research on how to write an online dating profile. If you don’t think you can do it on your own, hire a professional to do it for you.

We’re simply saying that you shouldn’t rely on clichés, or you might risk getting passed on.

We hope you found this article on senior dating helpful. Make sure to share your thoughts about it with us in the comments below.

In the meantime, we also highly recommend checking out: 8 Secrets Men Wished Women Knew About Them