Relationships ought to get easier as we get older, but that’s not always the case. Many in my primers are in that relationship ‘sandwich’ of still being responsible – financially and practically – for both children and ageing parents, or other relatives. That can be highly problematic, and often doubly so if, for whatever reason, you no longer have a partner and are now on your own.

Being in my prime means, essentially, being grown up, wise and responsible. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to pretend to know it all, or feel inadequate or guilty if you feel under pressure or unable to cope with relationships and their implications.

If you’re struggling with any relationship and unsure of what to do, we recommend seeking help. In many cases that can be as simple as searching for a useful book to read, information from the web, or someone to talk to about how you feel and the choices which are open to you.

The important thing to realise is that however things may be for you, there are other options. That’s certainly the case also if you’re considering your relationship with your partner, or – for whatever reason, if you don’t have a partner.

Don’t think ‘That’s my lot, I’d better put up with it. What’s the point in trying to achieve anything else?’ You’re in your prime – so by definition, there’s every point. As many, many people have proved, the greatest relationship of their lives started for them at a time when they had begun to think the best lay behind them.

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