Lockdown touched everyone deeply in some way or another, and as we emerge back into the world, it’ll be interesting to see our new behaviours — particularly when it comes to dating. Will daters be keen to take advantage of the new freedoms by seeing several people at once? Or, after spending so much time on their own, will they now be more inclined to find ‘The One’?
Turns out, it’s the latter. New research by eHarmony found that almost half of Australians (46%) said that now they’re out of lockdown, they’re ready to find ‘The One’.
But there were a few generations that did have some hesitations. The research found that a whopping two in three (69%) singles aged over 35 (mistakenly) believed they were ‘too old’ to date, while a similar number (47%) of over 35s saying they struggled to find compatible matches.
Over 35s do tend to face more hurdles in their search for love — one of them being the responsibilities of parenthood, if they have kids. The research found that 85% of single mums claimed that childcare caused issues when it came to dating, along with a lack of time to date.
The older generations looking to date, though, needn’t fret about what this research is possibly suggesting about their peers and their search for love.
A recent report predicted that by 2050, the average age of an online dater will reach 47, up from 38 in the present day. The report, called Future of Dating and organised by Imperial College in London, found that this would be the case due to shifting attitudes to relationships and technology, as well as a new wave ‘silver singles’ joining services.
One woman on a mission to inspire more seasoned singles to embrace dating is Confidence Coach and Married at First Sight relationship expert Mel Schilling. She herself is proof that, providing you use the right methods, you can find lasting love at any stage of your life.
Schilling met her husband Gareth on eHarmony when she was about to turn 40, and the couple married in Bali in 2018, after a six-year engagement. They now share a six-year-old daughter together.
“Let’s be honest, dating in your late thirties and forties can seem daunting,” says Schilling. “Many of my more mature clients tell me they battle with a lack of confidence due to their age. They may go on lots of dates but finding someone truly compatible still presents a challenge.”
“When we break compatibility down, it means finding someone who shares your core values and personality traits, someone who gives equal weight to things that matter to you like family, friendships and the having the same moral compass. These things may not seem so important in the short term, when sexual chemistry is peaking, but over time they make the difference between a happy or not so happy long-term relationship.”
So, there you have it: if you’re over 35, still single and looking to date, not only are there other singles out there looking to do the same, but, in time, there will be even more.
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