| After a long marriage ends in divorce, dating again | | | | you consider appropriate business-casual attire. Most |
| may be initially uncomfortable. After years of being | | | | women remember when we were much younger; |
| out of the dating scene, what is a newly single | | | | squishing our bodies into form-fitting outfits and high |
| person to do? Take heart, because like anything else, | | | | heels, even if they didn't feel good to wear, just to |
| with a little practice it will not seem so intimidating to | | | | look as attractive as possible. This time around, go |
| you anymore. For someone set in their ways through | | | | for what is stylish, but is also age-appropriate. In |
| the years, the prospect of dating may be as | | | | other words, no outfits meant for someone who is |
| appealing as having a root canal. Unknowns are | | | | twenty. An ex-co-worker of mine noticed a woman |
| always uncomfortable or scary, but don't let it stop | | | | who was in her sixties, but had a flashy wig, too |
| you from trying. Your confidence will grow with | | | | much makeup and a micro-mini skirt worn by many |
| practice, so be patient with yourself. | | | | teenagers, at that time. We had to stop him from |
| The first thing to do is to prepare yourself mentally | | | | hysterically laughing. He said, "She thinks she's |
| for expanding your social life and taking new risks on | | | | attractive, but that isn't, she looks like a clown." We |
| letting new people into your life. If you have single | | | | felt bad for her, because she was trying way too |
| friends, turn to them for a pep-talk or dating | | | | hard to impress others. It doesn't mean buying |
| pointers. They've been out there meeting people, so | | | | granny clothes, rather an outfit that isn't too |
| they may have ideas on where to go to meet | | | | revealing or outrageous. Women, please make sure |
| people locally, or on the internet. Get their opinions on | | | | you can walk in heels, if you plan on wearing them. |
| current dating protocol and don't be embarrassed. To | | | | You don't want your date to see you trip or take a |
| make something less intimidating, it's best to handle it | | | | tumble because you aren't used to wearing heels |
| head-on. With friends around, you aren't going at it | | | | over two inches high. |
| alone and have a support system. Remember back in | | | | Meet your date in a public place, and get to know |
| our twenties, when we used to chat about people | | | | him gradually before bringing the person home to |
| we liked with our friends? We may be a little older - | | | | meet the family. After going through a divorce, you |
| but inside we are still living and breathing men and | | | | know what you don't want in a mate. Now is the |
| women, who have needs and desires. | | | | time to find someone more in tuned to your likes and |
| To give yourself a boost, take on a positive attitude, | | | | needs. Build a friendship and allow it to grow deeper. |
| and catch yourself whenever you start feeling | | | | Don't worry about who else they are seeing. If it's |
| negative. Be kind and refrain from being overly | | | | meant to be, the others will fall away. Ignore the |
| self-critical. Many of us have pounds to lose, scars, or | | | | competition. If the person is into dating really young |
| other issues that may make us shaky about | | | | people, then he or she isn't the right person for you |
| ourselves, but remember that nobody is perfect. We | | | | anyway. There are many solid, decent mates out |
| all have something that we don't like about ourselves. | | | | there who prefer mature folks with more experience |
| Let it go and make the best of who you are right | | | | in life. Don't compare yourself to others. As long as |
| now, not what you want to be later. There are | | | | the person you enjoy is single and has qualities you |
| solutions to other problems that can be dealt with | | | | admire, you're off to a great start. |
| whenever you're ready. Right now, if dating is a | | | | By taking time to get to know potential mates, and |
| priority to you, then focus on that right now. Looking | | | | allowing yourself to become comfortable with |
| at the big picture can be overwhelming, so take on | | | | someone who stands out among them, you will lose |
| situations one at a time to make them more | | | | those initial dating jitters. Give yourself a silent |
| manageable. | | | | pep-talk, and enjoy yourself. You're as old as you |
| Go out and buy yourself a new outfit that you like | | | | feel, and are more able to understand the world than |
| and feel good in. Don't go shopping with the mindset | | | | you were when in your twenties or thirties. Use this |
| of what others want to see you in, but what appeals | | | | knowledge to screen dates and be proud of yourself |
| to you and makes you feel most comfortable when | | | | for making the effort. You can do it, one day at a |
| going to a restaurant or movie. Be yourself, in what | | | | time. |