For whatever reason that you may find yourself single at this late stage in life, you might feel like you have to settle. While it is true that it may not be as easy to find someone that you’ll connect with as it once was, it doesn’t mean that you can’t afford to be a little selective.
Of all the things you may require in a partner, here are three qualities that you need to look for in your next relationship:
1. Look for chemistry instead of just relying on appearance alone.
Regardless if you’re 30 or if you’re 60, there is no way that you can tell if someone is the one within a few minutes of meeting someone, especially if you are basing it on looks alone. Sure, they may look like the man or woman of your dreams, but unless you take the time to feel them out and discover if there is any chemistry between the two of you, you’re probably going to be disappointed when the truth comes out and there is absolutely no spark between you two.
2. Look for a partner who puts in as much effort as you do.
Ladies, some people would say that at this point in your life, you should be looking for a man who is willing to make everything about you. They may say that by having a man whose primary goal is to make you happy is the best way of ensuring that you’ll have a great relationship, but we say that’s not right. In any relationship, it takes both people working for the same thing. Both people should be working to make each other happy. Think of it as treat others as you would want to be treated. How many times have you gone out of your way to make someone feel special only for it to backfire later? It’s depressing isn’t it? That can be avoided by striving to find someone who is willing to put in as much effort as you do.
3. Instead of focusing on shared interests, look for shared values.
It can be easy to form a connection with someone who enjoys the same hobbies and interests as you do, but that connection has to go much deeper than that. For your relationship to work, that connection has to be based on something more substantial if you plan on sharing your lives with one another. For example, you’ll want to know if they feel that spending time with the family is more important than having time alone by themselves. Or, if religion plays a big role in your life, you’ll want to confirm that it is as important to them as it is to you. These things can make or break your relationship if not addressed early on.
By changing the focus of what you’re looking for in a partner in your 50s and up, you may have a better chance of finding the love that you haven’t been able to find before. It’s just a matter of understanding what is important.