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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Why are men not interested in me?

A woman waits in a bar, posed by a model
A woman waits in a bar, posed by a model Photograph: Mediaphotos/Getty Images

I am 33 years old and I have only had one relationship, which lasted a year – until my boyfriend confessed that he had cheated on me and was having a child with another woman. The whole experience broke my heart: I had never had a boyfriend before him; most of the guys I liked and to whom I expressed my feelings to would usually reply that they liked me but not in “that way”. It has been almost four years since, and in that time I have tried everything to forget him, move on and start afresh: I focused on my career and changed my job; I went to work abroad and had a great time … still guys are not interested in me.

I have tried internet dating, I like going out with friends or even on my own, I have been going to bars, clubs and festivals with no result. I am feminine in the way I dress and I think I am witty and friendly, I love football and I am a good cook (or so I have been told). I’d love to have a family but more than anything I would love to be part of and enjoy a healthy relationship with man. Is there something I am doing wrong?

• When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here. Please consider especially how your words or the tone of your message could be perceived by someone in this situation, and be aware that comments that appear to be disruptive or disrespectful to the individual concerned will be removed.

• If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words. For advice from Pamela Stephenson Connolly on sexual matters, send us a brief description of your concerns.

• All correspondence should reach us by Wednesday morning. Email: private.lives@theguardian.com (please don’t send attachments).

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