How Hard Is Dating After 50? The Honest Truth You Need

The Emotional Baggage: It's Real, and It's Heavy

Past relationships leave marks

Let’s face it—by 50, you’ve probably seen some stuff. Divorce, long-term breakups, maybe even loss. That kind of emotional history doesn't just vanish. People carry fears, regrets, and sometimes unresolved anger. So yeah, dating at this stage isn’t all carefree butterflies and long walks on the beach.

I remember a friend, Diane, who hadn’t dated since her 30s. When she re-entered the scene at 52, she was constantly second-guessing everything—from what to wear to whether she should mention she was helping raise her grandkid. It wasn’t easy. But hey, she got through it (and met a jazz-loving chef on a hiking app—go figure).

The Dating Pool After 50: Smaller, But Not Empty

Fewer options—but often better ones

This one stings a bit. Statistically, the dating pool does shrink after 50, especially for women. But—and this is a big but—the people still dating at this age are often way more intentional. Less game-playing, more “I know what I want.”

You’ll meet folks who aren’t interested in wasting time. They’ve been through stuff. They've grown. They've failed. And oddly enough, that makes for better partners in many ways.

Online dating over 50: A blessing and a curse

Tinder? Maybe not. But apps like OurTime, SilverSingles, and eharmony cater specifically to over-50s. And yes, online dating can be awkward (some of those selfies… oof), but it also opens doors that weren’t there a decade ago.

It’s not uncommon to chat with someone across the country—someone you'd never run into at the grocery store. That’s kinda cool.

The Body Confidence Shift

Aging bodies, new insecurities

Let’s not sugarcoat it: dating after 50 can be physically vulnerable. Wrinkles, gray hair, less energy… all of it can affect how we feel about ourselves. For men, maybe it’s about hairlines or stamina. For women, it’s often about weight changes or societal pressure to look “young.”

But here's the wild thing—most people dating at this age aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for realness. And confidence? It’s still sexy, even with laugh lines.

Health becomes part of the conversation

In your 20s, you don’t usually talk about blood pressure meds or knee replacements on a first date. But after 50? It kinda comes up. And that’s okay. It’s life. Being upfront about physical limits or health stuff actually builds trust—if handled with honesty and a dash of humor.

Mindset Matters: Staying Open vs. Stuck in the Past

Are you dating... or comparing?

One of the biggest traps people fall into is comparing every new person to their ex. Or to some “ideal” partner they had in mind 20 years ago. Spoiler: that doesn’t work. People change. Needs change. And expectations need to evolve too.

I knew a guy named Rick—divorced at 55, still holding out for a woman “like his college sweetheart.” After a year of failed coffee dates, he finally stopped chasing a ghost and started listening. His current partner? She's nothing like his ex. But they laugh like teenagers.

Curiosity beats cynicism

It’s easy to be jaded. “All the good ones are taken,” “It’s too late,” etc. But approaching dating with curiosity—genuine interest in people—makes a huge difference. If you go in thinking it’s hopeless… it probably will be.

So... How Hard Is Dating After 50?

Short answer? It can be hard. Harder than when you were younger, for sure. There’s more at stake. More scars. Fewer games, but also fewer illusions.

But it’s also richer. More authentic. And way more meaningful—if you let it be.

Dating after 50 isn’t about “starting over.” It’s about beginning again, differently. With a clearer sense of self, a better sense of humor, and hopefully… a good glass of wine.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.