Irene LaCota, president of It’s Just Lunch, the premiere dating service for busy professionals, offers up some sage advice to those looking to jump back into the dating pool.
You may have heard the saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” After years of running a dating network, I've come to believe this same principle applies if you’re suddenly single and find yourself searching for love. Sure, the playing field may be different, with new matchmaking technologies and dating services from which to choose, but let me be the first to reassure you that there’s no need to be nervous. The dating game is much the same-- only these days you have plenty more options to help you find the perfect match.
The Internet can be both a life and love saver. If you haven’t noticed, successful connections transpire every instant in cyberspace, particularly for single parents, divorcees and boomers now that niche dating websites are popping up everywhere. Still, countless middle-aged singles have shared their concerns with me that the process can be too time-consuming, impersonal and isolating, which is why I do not consider Internet dating a cure-all for romance. Instead, it should be treated as an ancillary service - one that can fill the gaps and expand your pool of eligible prospects.
In my opinion, one of the keys to dating in modern times is to embrace old fashioned techniques. Don’t panic if you’re suddenly the only single one in your circle of friends, as there are other plenty of ways to meet like-minded individuals which thankfully need not involve revisiting the bar scene. Look around --- companies like MeetUp.com help groups of individuals connect based on interests, while gourmet social and supper clubs offer organized dinners for solos of all ages. My friends, clients and industry colleagues report that special classes such as wine tasting and painting courses, co-ed fitness programs as well as singles-only trips and retreats are more and more popular among divorcees, single parents and young baby boomers who are thrust back into the market of meeting new people.
You may have heard the saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” After years of running a dating network, I've come to believe this same principle applies if you’re suddenly single and find yourself searching for love. Sure, the playing field may be different, with new matchmaking technologies and dating services from which to choose, but let me be the first to reassure you that there’s no need to be nervous. The dating game is much the same-- only these days you have plenty more options to help you find the perfect match.
The Internet can be both a life and love saver. If you haven’t noticed, successful connections transpire every instant in cyberspace, particularly for single parents, divorcees and boomers now that niche dating websites are popping up everywhere. Still, countless middle-aged singles have shared their concerns with me that the process can be too time-consuming, impersonal and isolating, which is why I do not consider Internet dating a cure-all for romance. Instead, it should be treated as an ancillary service - one that can fill the gaps and expand your pool of eligible prospects.
In my opinion, one of the keys to dating in modern times is to embrace old fashioned techniques. Don’t panic if you’re suddenly the only single one in your circle of friends, as there are other plenty of ways to meet like-minded individuals which thankfully need not involve revisiting the bar scene. Look around --- companies like MeetUp.com help groups of individuals connect based on interests, while gourmet social and supper clubs offer organized dinners for solos of all ages. My friends, clients and industry colleagues report that special classes such as wine tasting and painting courses, co-ed fitness programs as well as singles-only trips and retreats are more and more popular among divorcees, single parents and young baby boomers who are thrust back into the market of meeting new people.
Still, for many singles who are pressed for time and/or are concerned about keeping their dating life private, a real matchmaker is the best alternative. There are a myriad of benefits of putting your love life in the hands of a trusted professional. At It’s Just Lunch, for example, we take a discrete and more personal approach by promising to do all the legwork for you. All of our clients are personally interviewed and matched by an It’s Just Lunch dating director. And for individuals who are newly divorced or rendered single, ongoing feedback after every date comes with the package. Of course, don’t forget that close friends and family often make the best matchmakers, so you shouldn’t be too proud to enlist them in your search.
Take it from me, whose business is dating. No matter which approach you take, the sooner you put your message and yourself into the mix, whether virtually or in person, the sooner and better chance Cupid will have of finding you.
Take it from me, whose business is dating. No matter which approach you take, the sooner you put your message and yourself into the mix, whether virtually or in person, the sooner and better chance Cupid will have of finding you.
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