Hi everyone! My name is Veronica and thought this would be a good place to come to do a little venting, and maybe get some helpful advice as well. I turned 38 a few days ago, and I'm just feeling a little unfulfilled in my life. I don't want to sound like a whiner, and I know I should be grateful for what I do have, but I just feel like my life should be so much more than what it is. This period of introspection probably has a lot do with a two year relationship that recently ended. You do a self inventory, and feel like something of a loser because you're 38 and unattached, and not sure where your life is headed. Its not that I feel compelled to get married and have children, but I just feel a little empty and directionless.

In any case, I really need to get myself back on track, as I seem to operating on a short fuse lately. I went out a few nights ago for happy hour with my girlfriends. I thought a girls night out might be a be good way to get my mind off the recent breakup, and the last thing I wanted was any attention from men since my frustration level with the opposite sex is at an all time high ;-) Well, I end up getting hit on by a 50 something, overweight guy with a wedding ring. Shortly after he introduces himself, he tells me that I have a lovely figure, then proceeds to guess my weight, height, and measurements (including bra size!). I was at a loss for words, but then he proceeds to offend me further by asking how old I was. I was completely outraged at this point. I told him that my vital stats were none of his concern, and that if he's in the habit of treating women like objects he should take his chauvinistic attitude elsewhere. Then I slapped his face, and told him that it was on behalf of me, his wife, and all other women, past or present, who had to endure his offensive pickup lines.

My friends were shocked, since I'm normally very reserved, and in the past would have just found an excuse to avoid talking to the guy (and brooded over what I should have said/done days later). But then they broke the silence with a round of laughter, and some "you go girl" high fives. They also told me that I seem a little on edge these days, and either need some counseling or some valium I think they're probably right. I thought you folks might have some good techniques in mind to help me find an inner peace.

Welcome! 

That guy sounds like a real jerk - good for you for standing up to him!

Hey, Veronica;
I know what you mean. That pompous old fart probably had had it coming for a lonnnng time.  I've dreamt of doing that sort of thing to a jerk but I am afraid I'd get thrown in jail.
Here's my take on the situation:
YOu're coming up on the big 4-o. (Don't sweat it, I am working on 42 this spring. It's not bad unless you MAKE it bad), so it's possible that some of this turmoil is related to pre-menopause.  I went to a few sites on the subject a while back, and they say that the feelings of discontent and general un-ease are common. At the same time, as a PSych student, it's comforting to ME to know that this time in a person's life is very often a time for looking back, re-assessing, and planning what to do from here.
Get this, after about a 20-year break, last year I decided to go back to college.  :o)   
Why? Why now?? I guess my answer is WHY NOT? and why not ME and why not NOW? )
You deserve to do the things that make YOU happy inside.  Just getting out of a 2 year relationshp might be a good place to get ahold of a counsellor just to "check in" with occasionally.

Just myopinion.
Blessings,
abbiegrrl

That sounds fun Veronica