I’VE WASTED MY LIFE AND GAINED NOTHING!

Q I’m 50 years old and have only now realised that I’ve wasted my life. I have nothing to show for it. When I was young, I was blessed with physical beauty and my parents adored me. So did men!

The result was that I was spoilt and drifted from one man to another without really forming an intimate bond with anyone. The grass was always greener on the other side. I was married twice but I cheated on my husbands and ended up divorced. I had no children as I didn’t want to damage my perfect figure and be less attractive.

The result is, I’m alone now and have a few friends. And, of course, I’m growing older, which means my beauty – the one thing that I could depend on through the years – is fading. At least I have a good job.

The problem is I’m very lonely and feel I’ve missed out on life – having a husband and being happily married, having children, grandchildren, etc.

How can I make my life more meaningful at this stage or do I die with the thought that my life is empty and without purpose?

Catherine, email

A It’s most unfortunate that your beauty was, in fact, a curse and not a blessing. Your parents indulged you and never taught you to be considerate of other people. You never learnt that any relationship needs both partners to answer to the needs of each other and not only focus on one partner.

To change your life, you’ll have to consult a psychologist, so he or she can help you reorganise your life and be less selfcentred.

You also need to enrich your life by having new interests and hobbies, and in this way, you can meet more people. And you have to put yourself out there to contribute to the community by assisting with fundraisers for the less fortunate, doing something for the elderly, visiting people in hospitals who don’t have relatives, and making their lives happier.