Embracing Growth and Reflection in Dating: A New Approach for the New Year

As the calendar turns, many of us find ourselves embarking on a journey of self-improvement, commonly known as New Year’s resolutions. While these resolutions often focus on tangible goals like hitting the gym more frequently or saving money, there’s one aspect of our lives that often gets overlooked: dating. Instead of setting rigid resolutions this year, why not take a more introspective approach by prioritizing growth and reflection in your dating life?

At South Carolina Matchmakers, we understand the significance of personal growth when it comes to finding meaningful connections. Rather than fixating on external benchmarks of success, we encourage our clients to delve deeper into their own emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Here are some ways to embrace growth and reflection in your dating journey this New Year:

  1. Explore Your Values: Take some time to reflect on your core values and what truly matters to you in a partner. Are you looking for someone who shares your passion for adventure, or perhaps someone who values honesty above all else? Understanding your own values will help guide you in finding a compatible partner who aligns with your vision for the future.
  2. Practice Self-Compassion: Dating can be challenging, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Instead of dwelling on perceived shortcomings or past mistakes, practice self-compassion and kindness. Treat yourself with the same empathy and understanding that you would offer to a close friend facing similar struggles.
  3. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Growth often occurs outside of our comfort zones, so don’t be afraid to try new things in your dating life. Whether it’s trying a matchmaker, trying a new hobby, or initiating a conversation with someone you find intriguing, pushing yourself beyond familiar boundaries can lead to personal growth and unexpected connections.
  4. Reflect on Past Relationships: Take some time to reflect on past relationships and the lessons you’ve learned from them. What patterns or behaviors have contributed to the success or failure of your relationships in the past? Use these insights to inform your approach to future connections and to avoid repeating past mistakes.
  5. Cultivate Authentic Connections: In a world dominated by superficiality and online dating apps, prioritize authenticity in your interactions with others. Be genuine in expressing your intentions and interests, and seek out partners who value authenticity as much as you do. Authentic connections are built on mutual respect, honesty, and vulnerability.
  6. Focus on Personal Growth: Ultimately, the most fulfilling relationships are those that complement and support our own personal growth journeys. Instead of seeking validation or fulfillment from external sources, focus on cultivating a strong sense of self and pursuing your own passions and interests. When you prioritize personal growth, you’ll attract partners who appreciate and admire your authenticity and ambition.

This New Year, let’s shift our focus from rigid resolutions to a mindset of growth and reflection in our dating lives. By embracing our own personal evolution and nurturing authentic connections, we can create meaningful relationships that enrich our lives and bring us closer to finding the love we deserve. At South Carolina Matchmakers, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your journey to finding lasting love.

Tips for Dating Over 50 

Tips for Dating Over 50 

Age is a big factor in the dating world. When thinking of the major milestones in life, many singles will consider a certain age to be their deadline. As in, I’ll have met the love of my life by this age, and I’ll get married by this age, and everything will be all settled once I’m this age.

That isn’t always how it works out though. Romantic relationships can be unpredictable, life often takes sudden turns, and some people end up single in their 50s, 60s, and up.

Dating over 50 may not have been part of your plan, but it can be an exciting time to start a new chapter in life. All it takes is the right attitude and some smart strategies to build the relationships you deserve and desire. Here are a few tips for 50-somethings who want to make the most of their single status.

  1. Put Yourself Out There

We’re not getting any younger, right? So there’s no reason to spend time fretting alone at home if you’re serious about dating over 50. Go ahead and try all the ways you can to meet new people. Don’t be shy about getting out there. Follow your interests, and use all the resources you can find to help.

You’re not going to meet a partner while sitting at home. Go attend a book club. Download a senior dating app. Hire a matchmaker. Take action to put yourself out there and find the dating opportunities that are right for you.

2. Be Clear About Your Wants & Needs

One of the big advantages of dating in your 50s is that you have more of your lifestyle and goals established. You probably already know what suits you and what doesn’t when it comes to a relationship because you’ve been there, done that before.

Singles in their 50s often don’t want to waste time with incompatible dates and bad relationships, so it’s best to be honest from the jump about who you are and what you want.

If you’re looking for a long-term partner, then go ahead and say that. If you’re not ready to commit to a new person right away, then bring that up in conversation on those early dates or chats. Talk about your personal goals for senior life, and let your potential partner know what you have to offer.

3. Don’t Give Up

With the right guidance and tools, older singles should feel confident that they have date options at any age. Disappointments may happen along the way, but those should only be temporary roadblocks as long as you keep moving.

Whether you’re divorced, widowed, or never married, the modern dating world can offer you a fresh start and a lot of potential matches in the same age range – or younger, if that’s your preference.

Take your time exploring the different options out there and getting to know single people who fit your model of a dream date. You never know where the next conversation will take you!

Amber Brooks is chief editor for DatingAdvice.com and DatingNews.com. She has worked in the dating industry for nearly a decade and written over 1,800 articles about dating and relationships. Her insights have appeared in multiple publications, including the Urban Dater and The Washington Times.

Why Hire South Carolina Matchmakers?

Why Hire South Carolina Matchmakers?

1. What you’re doing just isn’t working

You have no problem finding dates on your own, but you’re just not meeting the right type of people. Maybe you’re devoting a lot of time to online dating or going to bars but haven’t met accomplished, educated, honest, commitment-minded singles. Maybe you keep dating the wrong type of person, choosing poorly for yourself. Whatever the reason, your current approach to dating just isn’t working. Don’t worry, we can help!

2. Personal service

We believe that hiring an expert, a personal matchmaker, is the best way to optimize your time and find a compatible match. Our approach is a personal one. We form relationships with our clients and their potential dates. When we make matches, we use old-fashioned intuition based on our understanding of each person and what they desire in a partner. Nothing can replace the personal touch that we offer.

So, while you tend to the business of your life, we get to work finding, screening, investigating and personally interviewing your potential dates. In essence, we date them first to see if they are a good fit for you. We will not make an introduction until we feel we have a potential life-partner who is everything you are looking for. We won’t waste a minute of your valuable time.

3. We are experts

Our savvy clients understand the value in hiring an expert, whether investing in a stock portfolio, buying real estate or recruiting the most qualified employees for their business. So, why not hire an expert to find the love of your life?

As your matchmaker, we become your personal agent, in effect your headhunter. Not only will we consider other clients, we will utilize our extensive database to find matches who meet your criteria, we will actively recruit, network, and may even advertise (discreetly of course) to find you a perfect match. We will do whatever it takes to find exceptional matches with the specific qualities you desire.

4. We date them before you do… and they have to dazzle us!

Each potential match is required to meet with us for an extensive face-to-face interview. We dig deep, taking the time to know each person intimately in order to facilitate excellent matches for our clients. We know that you’re a great catch and can be selective about who you date. Therefore, your potential dates have to dazzle us before we will consider introducing them to you… and we’re not easily impressed!

5. Valuable Feedback

We ask our clients and their matches to give us feedback after each date. This enables us to better understand what you are looking for and to refine our search. Feedback provides you with valuable insight that will help you to become more successful when dating in the future. This is a rare opportunity to learn how you are perceived on a date.

6. Put your best foot forward – Helping you along the way!

Once we find you an amazing match, we want you to make a great impression! If you would like our advice on your appearance, dating etiquette or any other aspect of dating, we are here for you. Your success is our success, so we will do whatever it takes to make sure you find (and keep) the love of your life!

7. Safety

Your safety is paramount; therefore we provide extensive background investigations to ensure you meet safe, quality individuals.

8. You will meet commitment-minded singles

When people have paid for the services of a matchmaker, or taken the time to meet with one personally, they have a vested interest in finding a life-partner. Big dating services will represent clients looking for casual dates. We won’t. Our clients and free members are ready to commit to long-term relationships.

9. You’re too busy

If you’re like most Charlestonians, you’re too busy to read through hundreds of online personal ads, email back and forth with potential matches, spend time chatting on the phone or hanging out at bars. A lot of work goes into finding a quality person to date. Wouldn’t you rather we invest our time?

10. You are reserved or shy

By nature, you’re reserved or shy and prefer to meet someone in a more intimate setting. You don’t enjoy meat markets like bars and singles events.

11. Deception

One of the most common complaints about on-line dating is that people misrepresent themselves. We want to make sure there will be no unpleasant surprises. We offer background checks which verify identity and age. We personally meet with everyone we work with to ensure that they are sincere. We have a no tolerance for lying policy. One lie, and we will not represent a client or member. We will make sure you are meeting sincere, honest, quality people.

12. Confidentiality

Charleston, SC is a somewhat large city, but it’s also a small town. News travels fast and gossip spreads like wildfire. Why post your picture on-line when you can be discreetly represented by us? No one needs to know about your dating life but you. Your privacy is our priority.

How to create the love you desire in 2021

How to create the love you desire in 2021

1. Believe it is possible. All things are possible for those that believe. Write the dream down and rehearse it daily until you begin to believe it. Address those belief systems that are blocking love.

2. Be self aware. This includes knowing your strengths – what do you have to offer in a relationship, what are your values, goals and ambitions. A person that can speak about themselves from a place of self awareness will be very impressive to someone else.

3. Become the love you desire. The question to ask yourself here is…’Am I the person in character looks and status, who the person I desire will desire? If so how so? And if not, identify the gaps and begin to work on them

4. Prepare, Plan and Pursue. As they say, no plan is a plan to fail. There is no time like the present to begin to be intentional about your love life. Work on yourself and begin to do the things you need to practically do to become who you need to be to attract the love of your dreams. Do you need to hire a matchmaker, a coach, join the gym, work on your character, your goals? Do it!

5. Step out. It goes without saying. After implementing all of the above steps you’ve got to get out there and start dating! If you need help navigating the dating world or getting intentional about dating. Get in touch with us at South Carolina Matchmakers we can help.

Offering a little piece of Mind during Covid-19

Offering a little piece of Mind during Covid-19

It’s no secret, these are unsettling times. As the Coronavirus continues to spread and prevention methods cause disruption throughout the country, all over the world, and in our daily lives, we can find peace in the fact that social distancing doesn’t have to mean social disconnection.

While headlines from the news and on social media may instill powerful waves of anxiety and fear, know that love is infinitely more powerful. During tough times, love provides a sense of unity which reminds us that our individual actions can significantly impact the lives of the people around us. While this epidemic is certainly not ideal, it does create an opportunity for us to express our love in a thousand out-of-the-box ways. 

The coronavirus has actually opened new dating possibilities.  We have seen an increase in people wanting to connect. People are reaching out more because there is a desire for connection. They are working alone at home, cancelling all travel and other social plans. They feel very lonely and isolated. As the saying goes, crisis equals opportunity!

This is a great time to get to know someone quickly—it is like being thrown into a life-raft together in the middle of a storm. Are they proactive? In denial about what is happening or super risk-takers? Are they germophobes? Caretakers? Making lemonade out of the pandemic lemons? Super worried or laughing about what is happening and sending you funny videos about toilet paper? You can get lots of info about your new matches right away.
 
Plus you now have a chance to meet and connect at a deeper level, rather than just on the level of appearance! You can get to know each other’s core personality, whether you are on the same wavelength, have similar values, goals and styles of relating.
 
Even though these are uncertain times, it’s crucial to remember that we can choose how we respond. We can embrace the space to reflect, re-prioritize and be open to the new, hidden opportunity. You may think that all is lost — that the love and relationship you long for is even more out of your reach. But, far from it! As I often say, love is an inside job. This is an opportunity to go within and become the high value individual who attracts the person you REALLY want. 

If you continue to date face-to-face, make sure you and your partner are being cautious. I encourage all my clients to use their best judgment during this time, and to abide by the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization. 

Prior to your date, I would ask, “How are you feeling? Have you had any symptoms? Do you have any fever? Do you feel comfortable going out?” These are all reasonable questions that cover a few bases regarding one’s general health. Be mindful that there are prohibitions on group gatherings, restaurants have a takeout-only policy, and many movie theaters are closed. This may throw a wrench in your plans, but getting a cup of coffee and going for a walk in the park or having a ‘paint n sip’ night of your own are a few ways you can enjoy each other’s company without encountering large crowds. Discuss any potential date-options with your partner and decide what’s right for you two. Going out may pale in comparison to ordering in for a game night, or having a mini potluck featuring your favorite dishes before binge watching a show.

If you find yourself not wanting to risk exposure to the outside world, opt for a virtual date instead. With this type of dating you can connect on a different, slightly unconventional level. You and your date may be a little skeptical at first but give it a shot! It can be tons of fun and add a little mystery to your new-found relationship. Click here for tons of virtual date ideas https://longdistancethings.com/virtual-date-ideas/

You can also watch a movie simultaneously or cook the same meal together over video chat. Netflix even offers a “watch together” feature, enabling viewers in two different locations to watch the same film or show together. Who says video calling has to be one-note? Mix it up, make it sexy, and be creative with your potential love. 

You can even use this time of quarantine to jump start a little self-reflection. Use this downtime to reassess your goals for the year, the progress you’ve made accomplishing them, and the next steps you plan to take. Social distancing is a great time to spring clean, purge those old items from your closet, and get back to some much-needed self-care. If you find yourself in need of a pick-me, sign up with our dating coach for a quick chat 

https://southcarolinamatchmakerscoaching.as.me/letschat. This is an unfamiliar situation to all of us and we’ll need each other to get through it. 

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns; and although it’s inconvenient, this experience doesn’t have to stop your dating life in its tracks. Be open and flexible, knowing that your ability to go-with-the-flow will create plenty of “remember when” moments you can laugh about in the future. The significance of an emotional connection is severely underrated in lieu of a physical relationship. Use these days and weeks to firmly establish your emotional bond sans distraction, and when you’re both comfortable, reunite with your significant other for a romantic evening.  

Remember the most important thing, we are all in this together.