About Dating & Relationships > What's ahead for love in 2005?

Forget the supermarket tabloids and all the celebrity-drenched predictions about the year ahead in romance and relationships. We asked social scientists, psychologists, dating coaches, veteran daters, and astrologers to predict trends in the year ahead that the rest of us might actually experience. Here's what they told us.

"The quest is to nest!" says Dr. Gilda Carle, Ph.D. "People want love and family. Online dating will become even more significant in 2005 as people become more adept in differentiating between mere promises on the computer screen and true and honest souls. People will be seeking answers as to why past relationships didn't work, and how they can become more skilled at relationship partnership. Lots of self-assessment, lots of movement toward growth!" -- Dr. Gilda (www.DrGilda.com), a relationship expert and professor of psychology, is the author of "Don't Bet on the Prince!: How to Have the Man You Want by Betting on Yourself" (Golden Books).

Aries (March 21 - April 19) -- You're known for your fire and passion and in 2005, those traits are sure to help you keep things sizzling. Romance may try to put a few twists in the road, but with your irresistible charm and flirty attitude, you won't even notice if things don't go as planned. (www.Astrology.com)

"Commitment and domestic bliss"

"As the elections showed, we're heading into a more conservative era," says Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. "Commitment and domestic bliss will become much more important. Single people will be searching more for lasting love, less for brief encounters. There is a whole movement boosting marriage, which can help make them more lasting. Online resources create more opportunities, and more problems, such as long-distance dating." -- Tessina (www.tinatessina.com ), a psychotherapist, is the author of "How To Be a Couple and Still Be Free" (New Page 2002).

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) -- Determined as a bull and romantic as a Parisian in springtime, you're just the right mixture to set hearts thumping. And this year, you'll turn up the heat big-time. You've got an entire year to get romance going your way -- and don't worry, it won't take much effort. (www.Astrology.com)

"Look for proximity dating," says Tiffany Shlain. "If you ever wondered if there was a potential new date standing next to you at a cocktail party, linkage software, appearing on some social networking and dating sites, combined with global positioning software, will be used to enable cell phones to notify you when someone with a matching profile is nearby." -- Shlain is founder and creative director of The Webby Awards (www.webbyawards.com), the leading international honors for web sites.

"A banner romantic year"

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) -- Free-spirited and extremely intelligent, you make quite the lover. The ups, downs and sideways motions of love in 2005 would be a challenge for most people, but your need for change and new things will guarantee that this is a banner romantic year. Buckle up and enjoy the ride! (www.Astrology.com)

"Technology will advance virtual love connections for singles in 2005," says Liz H. Kelly. "Daters will be emailing video clips, posting audio greetings online and communicating via video phones to make great first impressions." -- Kelly (www.smartmanhunting.com) is a dating coach and the author of "SMART Man Hunting" (Writers Club).

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) -- You may normally enjoy cuddling by the fire, but 2005 could be the year you come out of your cozy shell. You'll still be your nurturing, generous self, but some wild, romantic escapades will awaken your senses and rock your world. Grab your partner and get ready for some fun. (www.Astrology.com)

"Stay positive and live in the moment"

"The dating forecast is wide open for you in 2005," says David Wygant. "You can achieve whatever your heart desires as long as you stick with two rules. Rule number one forget about everything that happened to you in 2004. The year is new and if you hold onto pain or memories from 2004 you will not be open to meet anyone. Rule number 2, stay positive and live in the moment. Do not try to forecast what will happen -- just enjoy what is happening." -- Wygant (www.datingsteps.com) is recognized as one of the world's premier dating authorities.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) -- You're king of the hill, and when you see someone you want, you go for them -- because it just seems natural that you should get what you want, right? Fortunately, the upcoming year abounds with opportunities for you to do just that. Go for love, and you'll get it. (www.Astrology.com)

"Single women are becoming stunningly less determined to find mates/romantic love," says L.J. McMillan. "They are learning to savor their female/male friendships, put efforts into careers and interests, and evolve into quite interesting people. They know they will be secure, happy and independent even if they never find that perfect romantic relationship." -- McMillan is an attorney, mother, sportswoman and author of the book "It's Not About Men" (1st Books Library)

"Take your romance just about anywhere"

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22) -- Love cannot be contained, controlled or organized into neat little sections -- but if anyone can make love do what they want, it's you. You've got some impressive communication skills, and if you pay attention to what happens in 2005, you could take your romance just about anywhere. (www.Astrology.com)

"There are nearly 25 million singles age 50+," says Tom Blake. "2005 will be the year they become a force in the seeking- and finding-love arena. Most of them admit, when they became single after years of marriage, they weren't prepared for dating. However, through the Internet, books, newsletters and personal experiences, they are learning the ropes by weeding out the flakes and focusing on the serious contenders. Be prepared for lots of success stories from the older set." -- Blake, a Southern California newspaper columnist, offers dating advice at www.findingloveafter50.com.

Libra (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22) -- Ever the social, charming delight, you've got what it takes to make everyone love you -- and when you set your sights on someone specific, they won't know what hit 'em. This year starts a bit slow, but you'll have no trouble getting romance back on your side, and quickly. (www.Astrology.com)

"More Internet daters in their 50s and 60s"

"Divorces continue apace, particularly among baby boomers," says Aline Zoldbrod, Ph.D. "Most baby boomers are getting to the point (or past the point) where their kids are independent -- a developmental point where many unsatisfying couple relationships dissolve. Ergo, increasing numbers of people in their 50s and 60s are joining Internet dating services. Dating services with names less old-fashioned than 'Senior Finder' will probably evolve to meet the growing needs of this vibrant, still-young age group." -- Zoldbrod (www.sexsmart.com) is a certified and licensed sex therapist in the Greater Boston area.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) -- You're known for your sexual prowess, but as you know, you've got quite an intellect going as well. In 2005, you'll be using that intellect for romance. Love is a mystery, and your goal is to solve it -- and once you do, you'll get all the lovin' you want. (www.Astrology.com)

"We're going to see a boom in 'truth in advertising' when it comes to online dating in 2005," says Karen Berntson. "Expect to see dating sites taking sophisticated steps to help singles weed out potential bad dates, such as services that verify background information, certify the authenticity of photos, and use personality tests to better match couples." -- Berntson is a co-founder of www.noticeyou.com, a professional photo service for online daters.

"Flirty, flirty, flirty!"

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) -- Flirty, flirty, flirty! Life would be boring without playful, flirtatious souls like you, and you know it. But in 2005, your typically independent self is going to have to get used to thinking of someone else first. And you know what? -- It's going to be fun! (www.Astrology.com)

"Online dating is mainstream and that means you have to make a good first impression twice, first online and then when you eventually meet in person," says Arnold Sanow. "The second one is tricky; you have to live up to the image you've created online, when you had time to think about your responses and when body language did not come into play. In person, you need to establish rapport and build your 'Likeability Quotient.' I tell people to S.O.F.T.E.N. their appearance: Smile, be Open with your body language, Focus on the other person when you speak, respect their Territory (maintain 14" - 4' distance), make Eye contact (look at people in 3-5 second intervals) and Nod to show that you are paying attention." -- Sanow (www.getalongwithanyone.com) is co-author of "Get Along with Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: 8 Keys to Creating Enduring Connections" (Nautilus Communications).

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) -- Satisfaction guaranteed. That's you. You work hard to make everything the best it can be, including romance -- and that continues in 2005. You'll be in your element making sure everything goes smoothly -- not only will it, but your hard work will be nicely rewarded by a certain someone. (www.Astrology.com)

"Busyness of everyday life"

"Marriages will be on the rise as people become aware that it is more difficult to have children later in life," says Marilyn Graman. "Another prominent factor that people face now is how busy life gets. The busyness of everyday life makes having a relationship more desirable because it's nice to have your playmate around, which allows for spontaneous playtime time, rather than having to plan and meet for dates. The use of the Internet will increase. With everyone living such busy lives and with relationships at work being awkward and sometimes dangerous, Internet meeting offers a great alternative." -- Graman, a psychotherapist and author specializing in helping women with their relationships, is co-founder of Life Works, Inc. (www.lifeworksgroup.com), a counseling center based in New York.

"With respect to marriages in 2005, many people are assessing how much the world has changed since 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq," says Stacy D. Phillips. "Those assessments will cause many to continue what we have seen during the past two years, that is to leave unhappy or marginal marriages. More than ever it seems people are deciding that time is just too precious, and why waste it hoping a marriage will get better. If there are problems, the marriage typically gets worse. I expect the numbers (when it comes to divorce), will go up, not down in 2005." -- Phillips, a Los Angeles family law attorney (www.PLLLaw.com), has been named one of the Top 50 Female Litigators in California by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) -- Rebellious, independent and idealistic, you're quite a catch for anyone lucky enough to grab you. But keeping you is anything but easy -- only a few special people are up to task. In 2005, you'll only partner up if someone especially extraordinary comes along -- just how you like it. (www.Astrology.com)

"Sitting home alone...a virtual impossibility"

"Online dating will make sitting home alone on Saturday night a virtual impossibility -- or a literal virtual possibility -- whether you're chatting up a stranger on an online dating site or going out to dinner with someone you just met online, there are now infinite possibilities for love," says April Masini. The old advice on places to meet single men and women are now exponential thanks to the Internet. Moreover, now that there are so many dating venues, any dating problems sit squarely with the individual. Do you know what you want? Are you expressing it? How's your interpersonal communication? Everyone sees therapist as often and as regularly as they buy a quart of milk -- and look where that's gotten us! A divorce rate that's sky high. Therapists will become the future lawyers -- necessary, expensive and the butt of jokes. The new place to seek guidance will be religion. And guidance will include all matters of the heart and family." -- Masini, an Internet dating and relationship expert, pens the "Ask April" advice column at www.AskApril.com.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) -- Your head may normally float in the clouds, but this year, if you stand firmly on the ground, you'll get all the romance you desire, and then some. Selfless and idealistic, you're naturally alluring, but in 2005, something will click and suitors will flock from everywhere to catch your eye. (www.Astrology.com)

"In 2005 people will take a more active role in their love relationships, ending unfulfilling relationships more quickly and cleanly, and setting the stage for better romantic decision-making," says Sean K. Murphy. "Look for relationship housecleaning in 2005 as more people toss aside their regrets over choosing and sticking with the wrong person and apply the lessons of their past to more connective future romantic relationships." Murphy, whose predictions are based on a national survey of 1,000 adult Americans, is author of the book, "The Spirit Man" (Xlibris Corp.).

-- Compiled by Rad Dewey, Yahoo! Personals

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