I’ve done this once or twice before! Much better than being aggressive but I get it, a bit embarrassing 

How did he tell you he didn’t want to come to the wedding and what were the reasons he gave you?

“You can’t control how other people behave, only how you do”. It’s extremely empowering in my view. It often made me forgive others or at least be more understanding.

She “doesn’t feel” like it requires it, it does require it. This is literally her job. I agree that it is an antiquated institution and terrible way to live. If the royals want to stop making public appearances, they should support republicanism.

Arthur, Albert, Charles or Alexander.

I, a Brit, snorted my tea and would be DELIGHTED if that happened.

Thank you! Same to you, much strength! Exactly, people think he is my grandad! I am just glad that I am chronically single and don’t have small children like my friends my age do, I don’t know how I’d cope with both.

Dude I really get you with the “don’t have kids when you are older” thing. My dad is very ill, and I’m easily 20 years younger than the children of the other patients 

This is exactly what I meant! It captures our way of being and relationships very well but it seems very specific to this time. I am British and worked in Ireland a lot, so that made it even more relatable.

I really enjoyed her two novels (possibly this one less than the first) but I do sympathise with her point. It struck me as something that captured a specific mood and moment, much like the early Martin Amis or Jonathan Franzen novels.

We have a long and complicated history. While I obviously can’t exclude that he’s found someone else (we don’t live in the same city) I know from experience that this is how he processes complex feelings. I’m just fed up of this cycle and of everything having to be on his terms.

I live alone in a 5 bedroom house and, while I love it, I realised that it made me become a bit too much of a recluse. So I now host a supper club every other week and have a friend over for dinner at least once a week. It really helps! The regular schedule and commitment help you go through with it too.

I have had mine for 8 years now and it still looks great. I had it serviced once but it was totally worth it.

Ballsy!! I’m very impressed! I find it hard to express my needs.

Both! We had a disagreement and he is a bad communicator. He prefers to speak on the phone rather than texting, while I would like to have a few texts here and there as I find talking on the phone very time consuming. I have in the past been told that I can text a bit too much and come across as needy so I’m weary of…

He is usually the one that initiates most of the contact and he is very reliable. We have different communication styles so we had to adapt and learn. I think a conversation is in order. How did you handle yours?

That’s a very fair point. I need to reflect on this. As we were very close friends before I think I may have to talk to him before I can do it though.

Well done! It sounds like he was doing and saying things that were not respectful of you - like the proposals - and ultimately not meeting your needs. I’m going to therapy to deal with my issues with relationships with men. I’m not sure this will mean I will find someone but it has been eye opening so far.

Man how I wish I had some weed right now! Instead I’m making do with some Prosecco.

I love half days! It feels like the world is your oyster when you are out and about during the afternoon!