I don't know if anyone will find this comforting, but as an old forever alone person - I turned 60 today - I can say this: the pain decreases over time. I went through decades of agony and loneliness, Every time I saw a happy couple or an attractive woman, it was like a knife in my heart; I wanted to die. But no matter how much I tried, I never managed to find a mutually loving romantic relationship.

For some reason in the last few years that pain has abated. At first I thought it might be a hormonal thing, but I've had my testosterone tested repeatedly and it's fine. The only explanation I can come up with is age and long experience. Now when I see a happy couple, it's virtually meaningless. I can't bring myself to care. I can enjoy looking at a pretty woman without feeling any obligation to DO anything about it - because what, after all, could I do? It's almost a relief not to care.

Don't get me wrong, I still appreciate attractive women. It just doesn't spark that longing or pain any more. It's sad, I suppose; it does feel as if I wasted my life. I'd have made a great boyfriend or husband. But that wasn't in the cards, and I can live with that. At least I'm not in pain any more.

Whoever's reading this, I hope your life turns out better than mine. I hope you find love and happiness, or at least friendship and contentment. But if things go wrong and you do end up like me, know that the pain won't necessarily last forever. Eventually, everything ends. And sometimes that's a mercy.