I read something yesterday which intrigued me!
According to an international matchmaking service, enquiries are up 55% year on year. Psychologist, and Global Director for Berkley International Mairead Molloy said, "For the first time in the history of the business, clients are telling us that they are genuinely fearful for the future. Life's a bit more palatable with a partner, so we're getting strong interest from long-term single men and women who are now saying, 'I've had enough of being on my own. I'd love to have a partner to help support me during this difficult time'."
What interested me the most that majority of these enquiries were predominately from people in the middle aged bracket. It all started in June when Brexit happened in the UK, and then again another surge when Donald Trump was elected.
This is interesting on so many levels! After all, we are all so much more confident as we get older, so what is making us want to be in a relationship so badly when times are uncertain?
Then, of course, there is the question... why don't we meet prospective partners in normal life anymore? There is a myriad of dating websites for the middle aged group.
This time of year is always hard for singles, I don't think it is just the political instability that makes things hard in the second half of the year... it seems all the Christmas movies are all about love or finding love, many Christmas party invitations are for you and a partner and then of course, there is Christmas day. It can be a very lonely day if you don't have a partner or family around on the day. According to all these websites... December is one of their busiest times of the year.
I was single in my early 40s... I used to enjoy the lead up to Christmas, and Christmas day was always spent with friends. I was living overseas far away from my family which meant I couldn't spend the day with them. My best Christmas day as a single women was when a friend and myself hosted Christmas lunch for a group of friends.
Neither of us were any good at cooking, we did not even know how to cook the turkey we had bought, and took photos of ourselves basting the turkey, drinking champagne, as we thought that was hysterical (yes, we were idiots!). So, you won't get any help on here about cooking! Best I can offer is this - buy an easy cook book recipe
We ordered Christmas decorations from Amazon, but we failed to order the food. It was Christmas eve at around 4pm when we realised, and I had to sprint to Marks and Spencer to buy what was left on the shelves!
All in all, it was a great Christmas (it did involve much wine!).
Now, I am happily married, and Christmas will be of a similar vein (bad cooking, drinking wine and champagne!) unless of course, we go out to lunch! I have my fingers crossed for that one! I will be spending Christmas just with family this year...so although of a similar vein it will be different to the one a few years ago (well, more than just a few!).
So, do I think that people wanting to find partners is down to the political landscape that we currently live in?
No! I have to disagree with this, I think it is just that time of year, and maybe this Berkley International is just getting better at their jobs and killing their competition! Yes, the political landscape has affected so many people, but I don't think it encourages people to get out there and find a husband or wife!!
What are your plans for Christmas this year? Hope they are great ones (and involve a better cook than myself!)
Mags xx
This article was first posted on https://middleagedgirls.com/