Ready to go online for a date? We second-time-rounders, in particular, feel more comfortable with a little help when approaching this new way of dating.
A widowed lady confided in me lately that she wouldn't know where to start or how to go about getting back into the dating scene.
The same applies for divorced people or anybody who before was in a relationship or married for years and had no need to fine-tune their dating skills then.
There is help out there...
The first thing to do is to find a dating website to your liking.
No matter whether you choose one of the big names that advertise on TV or go with a site that somebody recommended; whether you go with a freebie, or one that you have to pay for.
The first and most important step always is to create your online profile.
That is the description of yourself that others see and hopefully respond to.
It's a good idea to read some profiles of other people first.
You will quickly identify a style that appeals to you and that you can relate to.
Take notes.
The basics are easy: age, height, hair color, religious inclinations, smoker or not, pets, children.
A true description of your character is more complicated.
While you want to describe yourself in the best possible light, bragging is never attractive.
When it comes to the character traits you want to find in a partner, avoid stereotypes! Who doesn't like candle light dinners and walks on the beach? Be more specific and innovative if you can.
A sense of humor goes very far.
How you see yourself is one thing, but how others perceive you can be quite another.
So get a partner in crime to run these characteristics by.
I find a conversation with a trusted friend helpful, certainly more so than spending money on so-called self-help books.
Just run your profile past a good friend or trusted acquaintance.
Chances are she has either been thinking about the same thing or has already tried her hand at it.
As a last resort or if you prefer a more trusted, scientific approach get on the Internet.
There are even websites which can help you write the perfect profile to achieve maximum impact and find your soul mate- mostly for a fee.
Whichever way you choose, above all, stay honest.
"Do unto others...
" You don't want to run into fraudsters and liars, right? And a ten-year-old photo doesn't help you when you meet the person in the flesh.
On the contrary, it may just put an abrupt stop to a budding relationship which would otherwise be swimming along nicely online, in the virtual world of cyber-dreams.