Hello folks My name is Veronica and I 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 week 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. 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 things. Well, I end up getting hit on by a 50 something, overweight guy with a goatee. 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 annoys 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 as nothing more than physical objects then he should take his chauvinistic attitude elsewhere. Then I slapped his face. He was taken aback by my reaction, rubbing his cheek and walking back sheepishly to the table where his buddies were.

Initially, 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 might have some good techniques in mind to help me find an inner peace.

Veronica