Stop viewing men as proof you’re worthy of love

Or attraction, or interest, or attention

I have a gorgeous friend. Not in a “omg no, you are pretty” way, in a generic knock out beautiful way. Slender, skin the colour of toffee in sunlight, glossy long black hair and wide, ink black eyes. She’s the kind of girl you quietly envy at the gym. The girl you wish you looked like. The girl you ask for beauty advice. And she is currently trying to convince a red-faced balding 50 year old with all the charisma of a walrus to sleep with her again. I know. Again.

“I want him,” she texts me, defiantly. “I don’t care if he’s using me for sex. He’s the only one I want.” I stare at my phone, incredulously. “The middle aged alcoholic guy who had drunk sex with you once in December and has avoided you ever since?”

There’s an obvious pause. “I like a challenge, Mad.”

“But he’s gross!”

“I don’t care. He’s hot.”