Falling in love in your fifties compared to your twenties is a whole different ball game. As you mature and gain experience from previous relationships, the things you are looking for in a partner changes. Here are some of the main differences between falling in love in your twenties and fifties:
Attraction
Attraction plays a much bigger part in falling in love when you are younger. Whether or not you are attracted to someone physically is important as you’re judging if this person could be a potential mate. When you are older, however, you will be more interested in having a deep connection, shared interests and beliefs and wanting the same things as your partner. Compatibility and stability become more significant as you are considering spending the rest of your life with someone.
Accepting flaws
When you are in your twenties, you will be more intent on finding someone who ticks all the boxes – they won’t get on your nerves, you will have good chemistry and you will get on well with their family and friends. As you get older, you become less picky as you learn to accept people as they are – for their flaws and for their good qualities. You realise that no one is going to be perfect, and so you are more able to focus on what does work in a relationship.
What you are looking for
When you are younger, you can have all the casual relationships you want. Going on dates and having sexual relationships is fun, and you have the rest of your life to settle down. When you are in your 50’s, however, it is often harder to meet potential partners, and you’re looking for that one person who will be your life partner.
The way you see the future will also have changed, as the future you planned for in your twenties is now. The way you and your partner look at and plan the future will also be an important factor when considering compatibility.
If you haven’t yet met someone to share the rest of your life with, online dating is really worth trying. Many older couples meet on senior dating agency websites and go on to have long-term relationships. Sites like the eHarmony.co.uk match senior singles on compatibility – the foundation to building a happy, successful relationship.
