Worried it’s too late to find love? Don’t be! The number of adults over 50 using dating sites has recently doubled—which means Mr. Right is out there waiting for you. Here, experts share practical and empowering strategies to help you find love at any age, including simple tweaks that’ll make your online dating profile shine and easy ways to help you make the first (virtual) “move,” so that you can take your online chat to real-world date in no time.

Ask yourself 3 questions

Before focusing on who we want to date, look within to discover what you most value, says dating coach Sandy Weiner, founder of Last First Date and author of Love at Last: True Stories of Falling in Love Later in Life. “After a divorce or breakup, it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves, so ask yourself, ‘Who am I now? What did I give up to keep the peace? Which facets of myself do I long to reclaim?’ Reflecting on who you were in your last relationship will help you see who you want to be moving forward.”

Turn to your friends first

You may think the first step to finding romance after being out of the dating scene for a while is going on, well, a date. Not so fast, says dating expert Charly Lester. “The best thing to do is spend more time with your friends,” she says. “They’ll remind you what an amazing person you are and that you’re a great catch, which will increase your self-confidence.” This boost will help you overcome past hurts, such as divorce or insecurities, that may be holding you back. “Then you’ll be in the right frame of mind to open up to the possibility of love.”

Go at your own pace

​​“After my divorce, I found it hard to look at photos on dating sites—so I knew I wasn’t ready yet,” says dating consultant Karen Haddigan, author of Secrets of Dating After Fifty. She adds that it’s okay to be gun-shy. “Get to know yourself better by expanding your social circle without the intention of dating. I went out with hiking groups, for example. Acquaint yourself with the new you because she is different after what you’ve been through.”

Rewrite your script

We all have internal messages we tell ourselves—and what yours says can impact how lucky you’ll be in love, reveals dating coach Bela Gandhi, founder of Smart Dating Academy. “If you repeat a negative script, such as ‘I’m too old to start dating again,’ you’ll block your chances of romantic success,” she says. But positive affirmations such as “Love is not an if, but a when,” fosters a more optimistic mindset, which motivates you to keep trying and sets the stage for success.

Spark excitement for the future

If memories of a past relationship have kept you from seeking new love, there’s a simple solution: Try something new! “As we get older, we tend to do the same activities and develop a routine,” explains Cassie Zampa-Keim, relationship coach and author of Finding Love After 50. But when we branch out— say, by joining a bowling league or volunteering—it helps us move forward. “You’ll meet new people and have different experiences, which helps you let go of fear and learn to trust again,” she says.