DEAR SOLE SISTERS

I think I’m being discriminated at work because of my age!! The challenging assignments that used to come my way do not anymore. I’m being left out of client meetings. I want to scream “I’m still here, I’m still great at my job!!”

I am in my mid 50s, divorced and new to the dating world. I signed myself up for a speed dating event. My question is: what would you ask to determine a potential partner’s character, morals and values when you only have seven minutes? 

I think I have been dropped by my friend group! Is this normal at 55? I met this group of women when our kids were young. Lately though I have been feeling left out. Why do I care so much? Do I confront them or do I just let it go?

Sometimes he falls asleep on the sofa while watching TV. I quietly head upstairs and try to fall asleep before he comes to bed. But most nights, I lie awake listening to him snore while my irritation slowly builds into anger.

I'm just going to say it - vaginal dryness! I know it is a symptom of menopause, so I'm not worried anything else is happening. However, that does not discount the everyday discomfort, the itchiness, and the painful sex. 

I’ve always prided myself on being hip, being with it and being able to keep up with the latest and greatest. Not anymore … can someone please explain ChatGPT to me!!

I'm tired of being a peacekeeper, mainly with the men in my life. Between my partner, my grown boys, and my ex-husband, I always seem in the middle, smoothing things and helping everyone get along. I have learned if I don't step in, there will be hell to pay.

Vagina… there I said it! Shaving, sugaring, laser, or electrolysis? Is there something else I should know about? There are so many options, from clean up to bikini to landing strip to Brazilian or full. What do I choose?

Menopausal night sweats!! I wake up drenched, looking like I have run a marathon in my sleep and my bed turns into a waterpark!! This nightly torment leaves me exhausted, making my daytime activities and tasks feel like insurmountable chores. 

I have zero interest in sex. Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband. I just have zero desire to be intimate with him. It’s nothing personal, I have zero desire to be intimate with anyone.

I feel so good in the morning. By evening my middle section has expanded to the point where I can barely keep my pants done up. If I go out to a restaurant it is even worse. The minute I walk out the gas comes and boy does it ever come!

I think my 30 year old daughter's boyfriend is totally wrong for her and taking advantage of her. He is unemployed and doesn’t  have any ambition.I want to say something to her but am so afraid that she may not talk to me again.

I have a good friend who I adore but anytime I share something in my life she feels the need to one-up me. If she can’t think of anything she changes the subject completely. 

I don’t want to be judged if I do decide to do something, whether it’s botox, filler, surgery or something non invasive. I wish that I didn’t care so much about what others will think but I do. Why did I have to be anonymous?

Is it just me, or is tipping everywhere now?  What happened to the days when a tip was a reward for good service and not just an expected part of a transaction?

I’m not brave enough to own up to it. Why is there such a taboo about farting? It took me forever to “let one go” in front of my partner. I cringe to think of anyone else hearing my bodily sounds.

I'm ready to downsize, travel and simplify life but my husband loves our home and backyard. How do we resolve this as we get closer to retirement?

I am considering breast reduction surgery. I am so fed up with the constant back and neck pain, the indents in my shoulders from bras, balance issues and painful chafing from underwire. I love to ramble and even that bothers me now.

Lately, I have been crying at the drop of a hat, and when I say crying, I mean full-on tears. I’m not sad. I’m not depressed. I am emotional!! Is it just me, or is this some midlife rite of passage that no one has warned me about?