Romances don’t matter much to me. Should they?

Q: I’m a single woman, age 38, who’s never been in a relationship that I expected to last.

My first crush was in middle school when I was 12 and a classmate said she liked my hair. We “fooled around” once at her place when her parents were at work.

In high school, my figure developed and there were some one-off dates with guys only wanting to have sex right away.

I wasn’t ready.

By college, I intentionally lost my virginity to learn what it’s all about.

I finally hooked up with one surprised guy to have sex together, as needed.

My first job was in another city where I lived in a diverse area and became close with the man next door — older, streetwise, sometimes remote and sometimes loving.

We broke up regularly, then reconnected, until he said he’d met someone from his same background.

It was over and I wasn’t surprised or hurt.

Facing 40, I’m wondering if I’m just not meant to be in a long-term relationship, and if it matters.

I wonder if, as my friends’ children get older and start dating, marrying, etc., I’ll be the dotty old “Auntie” who never had a serious partner, or if I’ll just be considered a loser.

Still Single

A: Being single is a choice, NOT a loser’s label. It’s also fully open to a rewarding lifestyle if you make it so.

Your account reveals a woman who has developed self-awareness and a strong will, as well as learning to take charge of your personal needs, including sex.

Depending on your job and finances, you can take up any level of whatever draws you because you’re the sole decision-maker — be it following cultural interests from art to opera, volunteering in any field of humanitarian work, and/or participating in any sport or activity. In most of western society, you can befriend and socialize with available men without having to attach yourself to one. Your sexual life is also your choice.

If you miss being involved with children, countless youngsters need adults willing to give time and caring, as Big Sisters, team coaches, etc.

There are no “losers” in the above lists of life options open to singles looking for a meaningful future.

Consider these positive statements from a 2016 American Psychological Association address by Bella Depaulo, a PHD described as “America’s foremost thinker and writer on the single experience”:

“People who are ‘single at heart’ embrace single life. Living single is how they live their best, most authentic, most meaningful lives. They’re not single because they have ‘issues’ or haven’t found ‘The One.’

“When people are drawn to single life and when they thrive there, it’s for positive and deeply significant reasons, such as: “Singles savour their solitude and its profound rewards.

“Singles embrace bigger, broader meanings of relationships and love. They care about ‘the ones,’ not just The One.

“Singles develop diversified skills. The kinds of tasks that newly divorced and newly widowed people need to learn are ones that lifelong single people have already mastered.”

FEEDBACK: Regarding the man who wondered if he should give the woman who cheated on him a second chance (Sept. 5):

Reader: “Throughout my life I’ve never cheated on anyone I dated or lived with. I was brought up to respect the relationship.

“If you’re attracted to someone else, break up. Don’t lead on or deceive the one you’re with, because it hurts in many ways. That woman who cheated deserves no second chances!!”

Ellie’s tip of the day Living single by choice is not a barrier to a meaningful life.