Social engagement is an essential component of healthy aging, and there are roughly 16 million single Boomers who may want to focus on relationship building, dating, and second chances but don't know where to begin.
Most Boomers have not dated for years or even decades. What methods can be employed to find potential partners or platonic friends? How do seniors effectively utilize online dating services? How do want-to-be daters overcome their fears of engagement and rejection? What types of relationships are individuals seeking, and how do they prepare to establish and make them sustainable? What about sex and intimacy, issues that may eventually play important roles?
Seniors are living longer than ever. After reaching 65 years old, average males can expect to live to 83 and females to 85. That's roughly 20 years and represents almost a third of an adult lifetime. It's critical not to squander this significant and precious time left, acting as though the game is over. There are so many ways to make the golden years fun and productive, to reset thoughtful goals, and pursue new dreams. Given the myriad changes currently taking place in society and technology, not only can the modern senior be busily engaged in childcare for their grandchildren, volunteer work, sports, and hobbies, but they can start new businesses, travel on senior tours, enroll in online and traditional educational courses, join physical fitness programs, find a new love, and participate in a million other activities.
We Boomers have shocked and annoyed the establishment since day one. We have questioned authority and refused to play by the legacy rules. We have rebelled against traditional gender roles, brought marijuana into the mainstream, and revolutionized sexual norms. So why stop now? As seniors, we may feel invisible to younger people, but do we really want to go quietly into the night? Nobody is looking at us, so let's break out of the box - again! Why not? Let's go out on fire. Let's do stuff.
Paul grew up in Chicago, went to the US Air Force Academy, and graduated with a BS in engineering, followed by an MS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University. After that, he became an Air Force pilot and flew all over the Pacific. Upon separating from the service in 1973, he attended UC Berkeley for an MArch (Master of Architecture). In 1981 he moved his family back to Chicago and surfed a number of careers including: -Founded a computer-aided design (CAD) company selling, servicing, training, and developing custom software for the architectural, facilities management, and engineering industries. -Became the corporate architect for a bagel franchise and designed over 400 stores.-Opened a design-build remodeling firm focused on residential and small commercial buildings.-From 2005 to 2024 he pursued his dream to practice architecture and build houses on the Caribbean Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. -Became a full-time volunteer and board member for a nonprofit created to improve conditions on the island community after the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. In this capacity, he wrote many successful grant requests for island infrastructure improvements.He returned to California in February of 2024; 77 years old and single. His relationship history included: 7 years with his wife-to-be, then 39 years of marriage and a divorce. At 62, he was extraordinarily fortunate to meet a wonderful woman, form a loving partnership that lasted twelve years until ended by cancer. He has used online dating apps (eharmony.com and Match.com) to find that near-perfect match for a long-term lover and partner. He has been incredibly pleased with the women he has met and dated. From the research, interviews, and dating experiences he's acquired, he has learned a great deal about himself and relationships. This has clarified reality and helped him to grow. This book shares his insights to benefit Boomers as they face the challenges of aging. To that end, he has also begun new services focused exclusively on seniors: -Dating Coaching. As a coach, offering online and face-to-face discussion and consultation in one-on-one as well as group formats.-Portraits. Providing photographs for senior men and women in the San Francisco Bay area that will capture their personalities and natural attractiveness; enhancing their ability to attract the matches they seek.-Senior Website: www.boomers-out-of-the-box.com
