Being single and in your 50s. To some it means a whole new world of adventure opening up; to others it translates as long years of loneliness ahead. Before the advent of the Internet, the latter might well have been more likely. In those long ago days, the chances of finding a single partner in your age group, with your interests and in your area would have been slender. Fortunately, the networked world has changed all that.

The internet means that now the tools are in place to help you find the right person to complete your life. But once you've found the perfect one, what happens then? It all depends on your attitude and willingness to re-embrace experiences you thought you'd forgotten. The good news is, this is something you can cultivate and master.

One of the great things about dating on the internet is that you can take things at your own pace. When you find someone you like, you can send them a message and then communicate via email. There's no obligation, just a tentative exchange that may lead to something more. If you find yourselves incompatible, it's no big issue; you just keep looking. But sooner or later, the big day will come and you'll want to take things further. And that's when perhaps the apprehension sets in. The internet is the perfect way to find potential partners, but after that, it's all up to you.

The result is that many seniors face the prospect of dating with some trepidation. Everyone's situation and experience is unique - some people may be divorced, others may have stayed single to focus on their careers. But whatever the circumstances the prospect of a date brings back all those emotions that were last felt decades ago including such unpleasant ones as the fear of rejection. The fact is that however much life experience we've had, we can regress to the state of timid teenagers at the prospect of a first date. Fortunately, there are some techniques you can apply to make things easier.

One great thing about online dating is that you already know your new date quite well. You've read their profile, seen their photograph, chatted online and exchanged emails. This means you don't have to go on your date cold. You have things to talk about and you no doubt like the same things such as food and movies. This means choosing a venue for that all-important first date shouldn't be too difficult.

The best way to start things off is to spend some time chatting on the phone and if the feeling is still there, it's time to meet in person. It's a good idea to meet up quite soon. Many people spend months exchanging emails and then the face to face meeting is a letdown. The fact is that online dating is a numbers game and you may have to spend time with 20 or more potential partners before you find the one that's right. This should take a lot of pressure off you as you don't have to go on every date thinking it's a life or death situation. As in most things connected with affair of the heart - the best thing to do is just to be yourself.

That said, there's nothing wrong with preparing for that first meeting. For example, it's a good idea to put together a grab bag of conversation topics and starters. Be sure to choose a suitable place. Decide on what kind of date you want, first. If you want to spend time talking, obviously a noisy pub would be a bad choice.

At the end of the first date, there's no rush to make the second. It's best to let things mull for a while. After all, you always know how to get in touch with the other party again if you wish. Above all, avoid a sense of pressure; your date is surely as uncertain and anxious as you are.

They say that 60 is the new 40, the age that life begins. If that's the case, as a single in your fifties, you have some of your best dating years ahead of you. Active men and women in their 50s have the same needs and desires for companionship and love as younger people and a senior dating site is the best way to find them.