Avoiding the Friend Zone Dating Tips After 50
If you’re dating after 50 there is a few things to know – one is understanding the importance of staying out of the friends zone. I know this sounds a bit teen like but it happens in all stages of our life.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Thousands of would-be romance fail to take off, all because the rules for avoiding the friend zone were a blur.
There are lots of reasons for dating midlife. Maybe you’re starting over after a divorce or a death of a partner. Or it’s possible you never had the time to date. Whatever the reason it’s never a bad idea to find someone to share your life with.
With this said one thing that is somewhat common is falling into the friend zone. Often we meet someone either through a group or even known someone from the past that we are interested in and end up hanging out due to not showing our true intent.
What begins as a potential relationship where you are investing the time and energy into getting to know them. Suddenly it shifts into being awkward, and then way-too-comfortable space where he stops looking at you as a possible love interest.
Instead he sees you as one of the group or as a good and trusted friend. If love is one the brain then the friend zone is one to steer clear of all costs.
If you’ve ever experienced this before then you know how hard it can be to change gears and get back into the romantic zone where you long to be.
So, obviously, you need to arm yourself with the tools needed to ensure you never get placed into the friend zone.
Here’s how to get start avoiding the friend zone
Stop Hanging Out and Start Dating
The truth is, whether you end up in the friend zone or not isn’t always within your control. However there is one thing you can do to set the stage so that you can minimize your chances of that happening.
It requires that you stop “hanging out” with the guys you’re interested in and you actually start dating them.
Dating involves two people with potential love interest. You are in a temporarily committed relationship that involves getting to know each other to determine whether you’re romantically compatible.
But there’s a fine line between dating and just hanging out. This means you need to be very careful not to fall into the wrong category. Otherwise you’ll likely find yourself in the friend zone. And friend zone is nothing short of well… just another friend.
Dating is the Pathway to finding romance Vs Hanging out is the Pathway to becoming friends.
What Do You Want?
Get Clear
This means every date must have a purpose, like For example, you’re not just taking him to a game because of a mutual interest.
Sure, the interest is great, but its not the foundation of the date (the setting), not the purpose (to find love).
The purpose is spending time together as a potential couple. It’s engage with one another and interact to see if you want to spend time together. It’s about testing the waters of romance.
So, during that date to the football game, consider the different ways you can set the tone so that he knows you are interested in him as more than friends.
Be romantic, be sweet, and above all, be genuine and nurturing. Engage in conversation that goes beyond surface chatter (read the previous chapter if you need help with that), and always stay focused on the real purpose of the date.
Here are a Few Tips for Dating After 50 and Avoiding the Friend Zone:
Be Fun and Flirty
Don’t be afraid to flirt with him. This banter stage of dating is important because it clarifies your intentions and tells him that you are interested in her, well beyond just friends.
Keep it light, joking and playful.
Don’t be Subtle
Don’t play hard to get or hold back when feeling the attraction. Women who find themselves in the friend zone are often there because they didn’t make their interest known and instead were subtle flirters.
If you worry about coming off too strong, think about the alternative: that you make him feel you just aren’t that into him If you need to turn it down, he’ll let you know.
Build Sexual Tension
As mentioned above, flirting is important because it shows interest in a sexual way. It takes from the friend zone and make helps clarify your interest in a romantic relationship.
Flirting does not need to be overly overt. I can be as simple as a lingering touch, such as placing your hand on his shoulder, or his lower back when walking through the crowd with him.
Men love feeling strong and protective, so the touch of a woman makes them feel special and desirable.
Don’t Talk Yourself Down
Women who end up in the friend zone are notorious for putting themselves down to either lighten the conversations, or to simply come off as humble.
But in truth, women who constantly self-deprecate are a turnoff for most men. Sure, you might get a laugh and think that you’re being endearing, but when it comes to a relationship, want a man to think of you as a woman who knows who she is and a woman with depth and substance.
Without out going overboard it is good to talk about what you enjoy, and what you are good at. If you love to cook Mediterranean food, travel or love dogs or certain have certain hobbies, then talk about these. It is a great time to see what you have in common too. And get feedback from a guy when dating after 50 or any stage in life.
Leave on a High Note
If the date ends on a high note, let him know that you had a great time. But it’s time to end the time together even though you may not need to). This will leave him wanting more and have him thinking about you as more of a love interest, than only a friend.
It may take some experience to know when the timing is right. So keep a pulse on how the conversation is flowing and whether things are moving along or it’s a good time to end the date.
Invite Him on a Date
No longer do you sit and wait for someone to ask you out you can invite him on a date. Men like women are confused and may be anxious about asking another out. If you like him enough and you think he’s a possible match then go for it and ask him out.
Avoiding the Friend Zone
Once you fall into the friend zone it possible to get out but it can be tough. You have to redraw the lines and risk looking the friendship. If you notice the signs and see yourself going down the wrong path, heed the above steps and show your intentions. This way you will both be on the same page, and avoid awkwardness when dating after 50 and beyond. If romance is on your mind then start as you mean to go on by avoiding the friend zone by using the tips above!