5 Amazing Benefits of Being Single After 50

Have you heard the expression that “50 is the new 30?” Well, it’s true! People view 50+ individuals the way past generations perceived 30-year-olds. Why? Men and women in their 50s tend to lead much more vigorous lifestyles than in past generations. They’re no longer solely relegated to the role of grandparents or empty-nesters. While these titles may still apply, people in their 50s are returning to school, starting new careers, and opening businesses. Fifty never looked so good.

Being single has real advantages, and for many, these perks only improve as they get older. 

Many people believe that to be happy, you have to be in a romantic relationship, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Despite what your family or friends might think, it’s possible to lead a full, vibrant life without settling down. 

Everyone’s journey through life looks different and having a single relationship status doesn’t make yours any less valuable.  

So whether you’re single due to divorce, bereavement, or choice, know that you still have a bright future ahead of you. 

Here are some amazing perks of being single after 50.

Being Single After 50: 5 Advantages 

You’re free to do whatever makes you happy 

Rom-coms tell us that true happiness occurs when you walk down the aisle. However, life doesn’t always work that way. 

While marriage and a family works for some, for others, it doesn’t. Maintaining a healthy marriage takes commitment, and if it’s not what you want, there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Studies show that people who prioritize their happiness over giving in to societal norms seem to live a better life. So if you’re single by choice, feel proud that you didn’t give into relationship anxiety and enter a marriage to please others. 

Think about it: You’re free to put yourself first, spend your money however you want, and make adventurous last minute decisions. Sounds pretty idyllic, right?

You can invest in your friendships

We often see older folk who aren’t married depicted as spinsters or their lives as sad and lonely. However, more often than not, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. 

When we’re in a relationship, we tend to stick by our partner for a lot of our time. We stay in more and we forget about our friends, sometimes without even realizing it. 

Staying single means you have space to prioritize the activities and platonic friendships that make you happy. 

Friendships can be truly fulfilling. Sometimes even more nourishing than romantic relationships! So make the most of your single life by investing in yours.

You can understand yourself better

Being single in your 50s means that your life is truly your own. 

When you’re with a partner, particularly if you live together, your life is somewhat dependent on them. This is true for the little things, like where you go for dinner, and the big things, like where you live.

Compromise is necessary in a relationship. Even the happiest of couples have to hold back or reprioritize certain things to keep their partnership healthy. 

However, when you’re single after 50, you don’t have to compromise for anyone. What you do with your days is up to you.

This sense of fulfillment can be truly therapeutic and can help you understand yourself better than ever before. 

You can explore your sexuality 

As couples age, many of them struggle to keep their romantic spark alive. However, sex after 50 when you’re single doesn’t have to be so cut and dry.

Many people become more sexually adventurous and less concerned with their inhibitions as they age. This relaxed attitude can lead to a much more fulfilling time in the bedroom.  

Being single after 50 means getting to explore those lowered inhibitions with new partners. 

If you were in a monogamous relationship and interested in a certain new kink, your ability to explore it would depend on your partner. But as a single person, you’re able to explore your sexual quirks with other consenting adults who are also interested. 

There’s a lot of stigma around leading a single life, particularly when you’re over 50. However, being single after 50 nothing to be ashamed of, it’s something that should be celebrated!

You’re free to live life at your speed, to follow your desires and to become who you want to be. So sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderful life you’ve created for yourself! You deserve it. 

Embracing Independence After 50

Being single in your 50s may not have been in your plan — or maybe it was — but there are many things to feel good about. You may look back at the carefree days of your twenties and thirties with nostalgia, but were they really all that grand? Many younger adults stress over establishing their careers, planning families, or just finding social acceptance.

In most cases, older adults have established their positions in life. Think about it. How many 20-somethings own their own homes or have fulfilling careers? And none have children who are old enough to support themselves. They either have little ones or their children are in the future. And even if you don’t personally value these accomplishments, there are plenty of people in your dating pool who do. 

Here are several of the many advantages of being single in your 50s:

You have the ability to pursue your passions

Whether these are hobbies, philanthropic endeavors, investing, or travel, you no longer have to compromise with your spouse or partner. You can go where you want to go, do what you want to do, and change your mind without asking someone else’s opinion. You’re only limited by your imagination and resources. 

It’s a very attractive dating demographic 

You’d be amazed at the dating choices you have when you’re in your 50s. Many individuals have embraced age-gap dating. A recent poll found that 39% of American adults have dated someone with a 10+ year age difference. While SilverSingles caters to adults 50 and older, many younger adults recognize the value of dating an older, more established partner. You will be surprised by the age range that you’ll find on SilverSingles. And if you prefer dating within your generation, you can just adjust your settings to match people closer to your own age. 

You know what you want and don’t have to settle

Many younger people lack the experience to know what they’re looking for in a partner. They are obsessed with one or two qualities, like physical attraction or security. When they find someone who matches that particular trait, they plunge headlong into the relationship. One of the benefits of having lived a bit longer is that it teaches you not to settle for someone who mostly matches what you’re looking for. It also teaches you the value of remaining single rather than rushing into a relationship with an incompatible person. 

New adventures and hobbies

When you end a relationship, you may or may not lament the loss, but eventually, you see the opportunity for new adventures. Being single means that you have the time to pursue your passions, and in your 50s, you’re more likely to have the opportunity. This is a huge advantage in dating. 

Developing hobbies and outlets allows you to take the psychological emphasis off of pursuing a partner and more on developing yourself. The result is a more confident, accomplished, and interesting version of yourself. Autonomy can be sexy, especially on the dating scene. Hobbies can also give you a clue as to some of the traits you might look for in a partner. For instance, if you’re an adrenaline junky who enjoys downhill skiing and skydiving, a partner who prefers antiquing or golf may not be a good fit. 

Many people in their 50s think of dating as an adventure in and of itself, which can be fun, but also intimidating. One of the best ways to get past the awkwardness of dating is to involve prospective partners in your activities. Compare these two approaches:

Your hobby and knowledge of it can instantly transform you from “one of the pack” to a diamond in the rough. Just pick something that you’re truly passionate about. 

Health and wellbeing in your 50s

Having more time to attend to physical and mental health is one of the not-so-closely guarded secrets of the over-50s crowd. More and more of your peers are finding the time to walk, meditate, hit the gym, play pickleball, practice yoga, and more. Part of the reason for this is that they just find that they have more time as an older single person. Another factor in the 50+ health revolution is the amount of information that’s readily available about health, nutrition, and mental wellness. 

If you’re recently single and aren’t sure where to start, just enter “health lifestyle for 50-year-olds.” You’ll find limitless articles and videos with suggestions for getting started. Just remember to verify your research and talk to your doctor. With some time and effort, you’ll feel better, look better, and project a greater degree of confidence. 

Tips for Online Dating in Your 50s 

Whether you’re a skilled dater or you’re just getting back out there, you may want to review these tips before continuing on with your dating journey:

Avoid Fraud

Older adults are the most targeted demographic for romance scammers — individuals or criminal organizations that try to defraud victims by pretending that they’re dating partners. From 2020 to 2021, individuals aged 55 to 64 lost $139 million to these criminals. Never give money or your personal information to anyone you meet online, particularly if you haven’t met them. 

Think Safety

Do not allow a potential dating partner to pressure you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Always meet in a public place on your first meeting, and don’t provide your address or personal information until you are certain that the person you’re interested in is real. 

Choose a Quality Dating Site

SilverSingles matches individuals over 50 years old with their ideal dating partners. Members complete a unique, multi-question survey that helps our algorithms match with compatible prospective matches. We emphasize safety, quality, and of course, results. Sign up for SilverSingles for free and embark on this new adventure.