Take charge!
Have realistic expectations
Of course you have standards, and so you should. But many single women have lengthy lists of what they want: a man who has a good sense of humour, likes to have fun, shares her interests, gets along with her children and has a decent job. And, oh yes, he should be tall, handsome and rich — and ready to love her for who she is. Sound familiar?
The problem is that the pickier you are, the narrower your chances of finding a man and falling in love. For instance, if you'll date only men who are over six feet tall, you are eliminating more than 85 per cent of the male population. If you insist he make a six-figure salary, you can kiss 90 per cent of the men out there goodbye. "Stick to the things that really matter," says Gloria. "Having common values and morals is important. Having a full head of hair or really white teeth is not."
Be proactive
Chances are, the dating world and its rules have changed since you were 18. In the new reality, you might have to get up the nerve to call a guy for a second date, attend a singles' event or try your luck at online dating. In other words, you can't just wait for men to flock around — you need to go out and look for them.
After eight years of being alone, Karen, a 51-year-old school principal with a teenage daughter, realized that she really needed to start putting herself out there. She joined a biking and skiing club and took up golf. While she hasn't met Mr. Right yet, she has come close. "I believe there are good men out there," says Karen. "I just haven't found my match yet."
Don't give up!
The more you date, the more successful you'll be, says Gloria. "Even when you feel like giving up, you need to try, try again." Joanne — of the cruise-companion who wanted his ex-wife back — had to kiss a few more frogs before finding her prince. "Just when I was ready to give up, I met my partner. And look at me now, I'm getting married again. I'm being loved and appreciated for who I am. It was worth the wait."
Click to continue to where to find potential matches...
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