I’m a 40-year-old single man with zero friends – I’m stuck in a rut and just existing

DEAR DEIDRE: I FEEL as if my life is stuck in a rut and I am just existing.

I’m a 40-year-old single man. Apart from my parents I have zero friends and few acquaintances.

My lack of friendships is making me feel inadequate. I suffer with low confidence as it is and this just makes it worse.

I would love a group of friends, even one or two would mean so much. I want people I can confide in and connect with.

I feel sad when I see groups of friends out with each other. It just brings home to me how alone I really am.

I work as a freelancer in IT, so my workplace constantly changes and I never get the chance to make meaningful connections.

Life just doesn’t feel fun and I am just existing.

Please suggest something before I am too old to go out and make any friends.

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DEIDRE SAYS: There’s nothing wrong with being you, but you need to raise your confidence and your belief in yourself. My support pack on Raising Self-esteem should help.

Think about hobbies and interests and get involved in activities where you will meet like-minded people.

Consider cognitive behavioural therapy, which has been proved to be beneficial. Your GP can find a therapist for you.

And check out meetup.com to see what is going on locally.