My boyfriend still hangs out with his ex-girlfriend

Q My boyfriend and I have been living together for the past nine months and I’ve grown to love him very much. However, there is something that really bothers me. The thing is that he has several female friends, some of whom are exgirlfriends. What’s more, he sees them regularly and without me.

He has assured me they’re only friends and that it’s me he cares about. I find it hard to believe that he sees these girls so often, yet nothing is going on between them.

A Your boyfriend has made it clear that he wants the freedom to see his friends. While that’s honest, it suggests that he’s not quite ready to settle down yet, and perhaps wants much more freedom.

If they’re as innocent as he claims, he should have no objection to you going with him when he meets these friends. It is, after all, the normal way a relationship develops. If he resists the idea, then perhaps there is some basis for your doubts, and you’ll have to decide whether you can live with these. Q I’ve been unhappy for so long, that I think I’ve forgotten how to be happy. I have a serious lung condition so I’ve been pretty much isolated for the past two years as contracting Covid could be really serious for me.

Due to the medication I’m on, I’m fat, I’m unattractive, and I find it hard to mix with people. I have a part-time job working from home, but the pay is rubbish.

I’m 25 now and can’t ever see anyone wanting to be with me. Why can’t I be happy?

A Like many people, the pandemic has taken a huge toll on your mental as well as your physical health. Social media has lots of groups for all kinds of purposes and places. You might have one for people with the same lung condition as you – and you could arrange virtual meet-ups.

While you think of yourself negatively, that’s the image you’re likely to present to others. Worry less about your appearance and concentrate more on being friendly and generous.