I have to respectfully point out that on this occasion you are incorrect; my parents have never been critical of me and have only ever supported me, so the theory on the Inner Critic doesn’t apply to everyone.

You are right in saying he is kinder to himself, but he did have years when this wasn’t so and has undergone huge changes.

I guess I just miss the freedom of disposable income and not having to worry about whether or not I could afford to go for that pint with a friend or that lunch with my mum.

I just feel like a bit of a failure: I got really quite unwell while teaching through stress and anxiety but I still feel like I should have been able to manage it. If I had, I would be on much better money by now. My partner doesn’t get it: he’s quite minimalist and sees work as a means to an end. He can cover his expenses and has about £30 left over per month for himself and he gets by just fine. I have about £100 left over and it doesn’t feel like enough.

The children thing isn’t as much of an issue but I sometimes feel suffocated when everyone around me seems to be having kids. I work in a female-heavy environment and most talk is about kids or grandkids.

Is it so wrong to not be that bothered?

I always feel like I’m on the cusp of some big realisation but it never ever happens.