‘There’s more to life than my career’

Charlie Hainsworth, 39, is single and lives in London. She says, “As a lawyer, my career was my identity. Life was about putting in the extra hours and earning promotions. With 14-hour days, I didn’t have time for dating, and I’d always cancel plans with friends to stay in the office.

“But in March 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer which then spread to my spine. I was told I had two years to live. I’d never grow old, get married or have children. As reality sank in, six months after my diagnosis, I decided to stop working. Family and friends were surprised, but I knew work didn’t matter any more and, fortunately, I had enough savings to live on.

“I took up yoga and always turned up to meet friends. I know it’s probably too late to find Mr Right, but I’m making the most of enjoying life. I’m going to Amsterdam soon too, a place that was once on my ‘maybe next year’ list. But now I don’t have the luxury of time.

“I can’t pretend that I don’t get angry. But if it wasn’t for cancer, I’d be spending my days in an office. In a way, it’s a positive thing to know my days are numbered.”