When a couple is dating, there are all kinds of differences to consider, such as personalities, family customs, and ways of viewing life. A difference than can throw more complications into the mix is a significant age difference between two individuals. What do you do when you are in love with someone who is much older or younger than you? What are some questions you can ask yourselves before deciding whether to move on with the relationship?
Do You Have Similar Life Goals?
No matter what age your partner is, it is in your best interest as a couple to share similar life goals. If you are both at the same stage in your life, and you have talked about goals and find that there are more in common than not, who is to say that age difference will necessarily be a big issue?
Are You Confident?
In a relationship where your age differs by more than a few years, you need to have confidence. Unfortunately, terms like “gold digger”, “cradle robber” and “cougar” get thrown around as insults. You may end up on the receiving end of these, or have other insensitive remarks thrown your way. If you remain confident in yourself and your relationship, you can deal with this kind of immaturity when it surfaces.
Is There a Similar Maturity Level?
Everyone, male or female, matures at a different rate. The important issue in a relationship is not your age, but your maturity level. If you are matched in this area and you are able to exist together as a positive force in the world, there is no reason to worry about your age difference.
Do You Enjoy the Same Activities?
Occasionally, age dictates what activities a person involves themselves in. If you are dating someone who is still going to college and partying all night, while you hold down a full-time job and all the responsibilities that go with it, it could lead to permanent frustration on both sides. If you are enjoying the same activities and don’t feel overly old or young around your partner, it is more likely you will be able to make your relationship work successfully.
Health Matters
Random circumstances can cause health problems for even the fittest of people, but it is important for everyone to have the motivation to stay in good health. In a relationship where there is a significant age difference, this is especially important. If an older partner is not caring for themself while the younger partner is focused on staying in good condition, this can cause a gap that is hard to bridge. If you are both staying active, eating right and treating your body properly, you will have a better chance of enjoying each other for a longer time, no matter what your age difference.
Do You Have a Connection?
Love often reaches across barriers such as age. A strong connection with your love interest is much more important than being born the same year. Does your partner bring out the best in you, inspire you to want to make the world a better place, and make you feel special and cared for? Then age difference is a trivial issue.
Age difference will bring out the best and worst in a couple. If you are truly in love, it will not be as big of an issue as some individuals make it out to be. Talk about the issues that really matter, and you can decide if age is truly a factor in your relationship, or just a number.
