Tips to Help You Get Back in the Dating Game After a Long-Term Relationship Ends

There are very few things in life that are as terrifying,
frustrating, rewarding, exciting and just plain crazy as dating;
especially if you have ceased to be a “spring chicken” or have
been out of the dating scene for many years.

If you’ve found yourself “back on the market” after being in a
committed relationship for many years, you may be petrified by
the prospect of dating again. The very idea of having to deal
with the “new rules,” and trying to figure out where, exactly,
you go to meet people in the first place, may be enough for you
to say “forget it” and opt for diving into the freezer for a
pint of Cherry Garcia, and sitting home with the latest episode
of 24 instead. But, it doesn’t have to be that way!

In spite of what the modern media has drummed into our collective
heads, dating really hasn’t changed that much over the years.
The basics are all still the same; first dates are generally
awkward whether you’re a gawky teenager or a successful CEO, and
first kisses will give you butterflies at 60 just as they did at
16!

What has changed is how people meet each other. Yes, there will
always be the old standbys: bars, chance meetings, blind dates
(usually set up by well meaning friends or relatives who haven’t
a clue) and the frequently disastrous workplace romances. But
more and more people are turning to the laptop sitting on their
coffee table or the computer on their desk to find romance. From
the comfort of your easy chair (and with your ice cream nearby)
you can open up a whole new realm of dating possibilities!

Since you’re reading this we’ll assume you have the basics
needed for this contemporary dating adventure (a computer and
access to the internet) and can get down to where to look for
“Mr. (or Ms.) Right”:

* First, you have the obvious “hunting” ground; internet
dating sites. These online matchmakers are as prevalent as ants
at a picnic, and cover just about every demographic and social
group you can think of. Some require a fee, while others are free
to join. Generally prospective daters post pictures and
information about themselves and about what they are looking for
in a potential partner. Once you join you can review other
members and search for someone that strikes your fancy.

* Then there are the social media sites like Facebook, Myspace,
Linkedin, and Bebo. These sites aren’t geared specifically
towards dating, but their popularity and ease of use make them a
natural place for making connections. Using social media sites
can not only re-connect you with friends and family, but you
might run into that classmate you had a crush on in 9th grade as
well!

* A less obvious place to look for love online is amongst the
plethora of special interest forums and sites. Whether you an
avid golfer, a fan of Joe Walsh, or like to make driftwood
sculptures in your spare time, chances are that there is a
website dedicated to your particular passion somewhere on the
net. What better way to start a relationship than to build on the
foundation of a mutual interest?

Of course, there are precautions you should take when venturing
into the sphere of online dating, but as with dating in the
“real world” most of them are common sense and they apply to
both men and women:

#1 – Listen to your instincts. If your “gut” tells you that the
person you are communicating with isn’t what they seem, you are
probably right.

#2 – Really take the time to get to know a person before you give
them any information that can lead them to your “offline”
identity. Giving someone your last name or phone number may seem
harmless, but always err on the side of caution.

#3 – Set up an anonymous free email account like hotmail or yahoo
to use for talking to possible suitors. Make sure that you set it
up so that your full name is not given out.

#4 – When you are ready to take that “next step” and meet your
online paramour face to face, make sure you arrange to meet them
in a public place. Tell friends or a family member where you are
going and arrange to check in with them while you are out.

That’s it, now you’re ready to take that plunge back into the
dating world. Take a deep breath, put down the ice cream and go
enjoy this new phase of your life. You’ll be surprised at how
much fun it can be!

Copyright (c) 2009-2012 RoseMary Alberts
NSA Dating Site
http://www.nsadatingsite.com/

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RoseMary Alberts lives in Florida and has a lifetime of dating
experiences in her rear view mirror. As a young 50-year-old, she
enjoyed the single life through most of her twenties and for the
last ten years, since the death of her late husband. For online
dating, visit: http://www.nsadatingsite.com/