Thank you Sue for another great article ! The book looks quite interesting too.

You have my deep empathy with your broken rib as I broke a rib a couple of years ago in a freak accident in the garden (by myself, no-one to help me and my phone was inside). Worst times of the day were going to bed in the evening and getting up in the morning. Excruciating!

As a child of emotionally unavailable parents, who were big on criticism and punishment, I entered my adult life, with no self worth and pursuing the love and connection missing from my life. Everything back then was telling me that to be considered normal and accepted, I had to be married or in a relationship. All of them failed one way or another. I had no boundaries and didn't stand up for myself. Even my late husband was controlling. I can see that now. I can see everything now all the way back to my childhood and I'm OK with it, as it's released me from the notion of "coupledom" and allowed me to devote time to myself and to embrace my passions, no matter how small.

I remember, as a child, I was able to play by myself for hours. Maybe that's a clue as to why (now in my 70s) I can spend days by myself happily amused. 😊