"When people over 50 have been in long-term relationships for many years and go through a divorce, breakup, or experience the loss of a loved one, they can feel less confident than in their younger years
"Loss of familiarity or being 'out of practice' may lead to bad choices or habits, and subsequently, disappointment," explains The Eternity Rose relationship writer and clinical psychologist Carissa Coulston, PhD.
"Be encouraged, and know that many individuals like yourself are yearning for meaningful interactions that bring honesty and intimacy," Lawless advises.
"Having many of single pals to spend around with made being single when you were younger exciting. In your 50s, most of your acquaintances are married or in committed relationships "writes Kevin Darné, a dating guru.
"Many of us fear all the good ones are gone at this age and we had better hurry along and get a relationship established so we don't lose out on potential," says Dana McNeil, LMFT, creator of The Relationship Place.
"Most of us who have reappeared in the dating scene find it quite different than when we were younger and single," says Holly Woods, PhD, of Holly Woods Coaching & Consulting.
"It may seem quite scary to reveal personal data with strangers online, and anxieties about being a target of a scam or injury are not unusual or unreasonable," says Lawless.
Wasser thinks FOMO may harm networking. "Put down your phone and focus on your date—create memories, not simply skim through them!"
By your 50s, you may compare all new partners to the previous ones, which might be self-sabotaging.