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I'm a 45-year-old divorced man interested in a 29-year-old colleague. How can I pursue a healthy relationship without marriage?

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |570 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Oct 08, 2024

Ravi Mittal is an expert on dating and relationships.
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girish Question by girish on Sep 06, 2024Hindi
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Relationship

Hello, I m 45 years old (Man) divorce and a collegue of mine who is 29 year old (Female) we get along nicely but since last few day i thing she is interested in me and now even i have develop feeling for her but i want to be in healthy relationship her but dont wannt to get married due my failed and bad experiece of my previous marriage. Pls suggest what should i do and dont want to loose her. Pls reply at the earliest

Ans: Dear Girish,
First of all, don't assume that she has feelings for you. Please confirm and then think of pursuing a relationship. Let's say she shares your feelings, it is important to let her know that you do not intend to get married; she might have other plans and it would be unfair for you to take them away from her. If both of your plans align, then very well. If not, I would suggest you find someone who is on the same page as you.
Please speak to her first.

Best Wishes.

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1587 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 23, 2022

Relationship
Hi Anu,Myself Praveen. I appreciate your writings on Rediff. First of all thanks for that.I would like to ask guidance or your thoughts on establishing a relationship with my lady friend. I met her 4 years back in my old office and we got in company soon and started talking and somewhat share most of the personal s***s too. I started having feelings for her. I mean I wish to have a marital relationship with her because I am very comfortable with her. But I was unable to make any move or feared of losing her company if I tell her my love.That time I never knew her age. Later I moved from that job to pursue some personal goals so I moved to some other place without the knowledge of my own family. The only person who knew about it was her. She stood with me and emotionally supported me and was knowing that it was my strong wish of having that dream/goal. We were in touch as nice friends. Her phone calls were happy moments for me because I was alone at my new place where I'd gone to pursue my dream. Someday she called me and during call she was upset. That day she shared some of her personal things and during the conversation I realised that she is 8 years older than me and she is at her mid 30s. Firstly, it was like a shock for me. I wondered why a beautiful girl like she not got into a marriage or any other serious relationship still that age. Okay, that doesn't matter me. However, knowing about most of the complexity in this partnership including support from both family or cliche society thoughts; I decided to have her as my life partner. But still I am not able to make a move like that. Somehow, I had to come back to my homeplace and sorry to say that I failed to pursue my goal which was bit depressing. Still I couldn't make a move to talk her about this. I am getting an odd feeling that she treats me as a brother or a nice friend only. I am confused when she calls me bro. Some days ago she told me that I am her good brother. Frankly I don't like her calling me bro. I still love her and I always see her as my life partner.The thing is I fear that I may lose her company if I express my love for her. Also I fear that she may emotionally get low if she really considering me as her brother. I don't want to give her any pain, but meanwhile I couldn't miss her in my life. Nowadays, we rarely talk on phone or meet because some of her professional engagements. That is not a problem for me. I respect her as well as her personal space. Only thing I want is to communicate her about my mind and having a relationship with her. I know she might also be concerned about our age gap as well as what society may say, but I don't care such rubbish. I strongly believe that I can be a great partner. Share your thoughts on making an approach without giving her any emotional pain or trauma.
Ans:

Dear PB,

Thank you for your kind words on my writings and columns. Highly appreciate it.

I cannot assure you of the fact of her not having any emotional reactions. Her reactions are not something that you can control.

The easiest way to resolve this confusion that you are going through is to simply express it. It’s similar to how children are.

Have you seen them say things without a filter and unfazed by how the other person will react?

Then along came the adults and asked them to keep quiet and then the child in us grew up to become a recluse and ignore our own feelings.

I agree there is an etiquette and social norms to be followed as adults but to not be able to express our feelings is nothing but conditioning from our childhood.

And what did it teach us? It taught us to avoid the rejection and ensuing disappointment.

That’s exactly what you are running away from; all the rejection that may happen and the disappointment from that.

But what use is that love if you can’t express it for fear of rejection. If you feel so strongly about it, approach it boldly and very gently.

Yes, it may shock her and it’s possible she has no feelings or sees you as a brother, but at least you know where the connection stands.

Now whether she is going to be hurt or not is a question of how emotionally mature she is.

So, before you start the conversation, do request her to hear you fully and not judge you for your honesty. This may ease her shock and help her respond rather than react to you.

On your part, keep your expectations to a low and smile through the situation. It helps lighten the load that you might be carrying.

All the best!

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Love Guru

Love Guru   |204 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert - Answered on Jan 09, 2024

Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |571 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Sep 23, 2024

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Hello Madam, I am 45 year old (Divorce Guy) i have a collegue who is 29 year old (Female ) i guess she is interested in me and i m avoiding bcz of my fail marriage and do want to be a committed relationship but now i m also developed feeling for her and i also told her about my broken marriage because i did not wanted to lie her, since than she is avoiding me and not answering my call this is is hurting me badly and i do want to spoil our relationship ,pls suggest what should i do Pls revert back bcs this is my 2 reminder to you pls do the needful at the earliest
Ans: Right now, it seems like her pulling away might be a response to the complexity of your situation, not necessarily a rejection of you as a person. It's possible that she needs time to process what you've shared about your broken marriage, especially since it likely adds layers to her own thoughts and feelings about the potential of being with you. This isn’t about your worth or your desirability but about her understanding of what a relationship with you would entail.

The best course of action right now is to respect her space and her need for distance. Chasing after her or continuing to reach out while she’s avoiding you might push her further away. Instead, give her time to come to terms with her feelings. If she’s truly interested, she may need this time to reflect on how she feels about your situation and how she can fit into your life.

Meanwhile, focus on yourself—on processing your own emotions about your past and your feelings toward her. You’ve been through difficult relationships, and it’s essential to make sure you’re entering a new connection from a place of emotional clarity rather than from a place of hurt or fear.

If you feel the need for closure or clarity, you can send her a respectful, thoughtful message that expresses how you feel without pressuring her for a response. Something along the lines of acknowledging her silence, letting her know you understand she may need time, and expressing that you’re open to talking whenever she feels ready could be helpful.

The key here is patience—both with her and with yourself. If she decides she isn’t ready or isn’t interested in pursuing a relationship, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t define your ability to find happiness or love again. Take it as an opportunity to grow emotionally and gain further clarity on what you want from a future relationship.

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Dr Upneet

Dr Upneet Kaur  |29 Answers  |Ask -

Marriage counsellor - Answered on Feb 26, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 15, 2025
Relationship
I am 46 years old male married for the fast 17 years. I have one son. My wife loves me very much. She is highly posessive about me since our marriage. I fell in love with my collegue who is a widower and 25 years of age with a daughter. She only started communicating and talking to me a lot. I was not having any kind of feelings towards her as I was overloaded with work. I got transferred to other place. There work pressure is not there. Now, I am in love with that widower. I told this to my wife also. She was shocked. After hue and cry, now my wife is back to normal and warned me to stay away from that girl.But I am not able to forget that girl. I called her over phone four to five times for a couple of times. It seems, now that girl is not interested in me. When I was with her, I never confessed that I love her. Now when I got transferred, i am keeping whats app messages which are visible only to her. I dont know whether she is not understanding this one, she is not responding. I dont want to cheat my wife and at the same time not able to forget that girl also. Please suggest me what to do.
Ans: Hello sir,
This is actually mid life crisis that you are going through, because of which you think you are having feelings for your colleague. Now that you have been transferred to a new place wirh new surroundings, take this as an opportunity to build new healthy relationships around you. You should start giving more quality time to your wife. She has given you a second chance. You should take it well and forget about your past as your colleague has also moved on now. I hope this will help you with your problem.
Take care
Dr Upneet kaur
Relationship counselor
https://www.instagram.com/dr_upneet

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8221 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 12, 2025Hindi
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Money
I am 38 year old in IT, draws a little over 3L per month, married and 3 kids. First one in 5th standard, second in UKG and third is in play school. Wife working in IT as well drawing 2L per month. We have Two houses - one individual house estimated value (1.5 CR) with 18L loan pending paid by me (26.5k per month EMI) and other apartment nearing completion estimated value (1CR) with 50L loan pending paid by my wife (47k per month EMI). As far as other savings are concerned I have around 50L in MFs and my wife has 20L. I have 5L in stocks, 5L in FDs and 5L in other markets. My PF value is around 25L. My wife PF and Gratuity together around 20L. We have Vehicles estimated to give 10L. Currently living in a metro city for our work with expenses upto 2L per month including loans, kids education, rent etc Please tell us what more needed for us to retire and move to less expensive tier 2 place where living expenses can be between 50k - 1l name month.
Ans: Current Financial Overview
Age: 38 years

Monthly Income: Rs. 5 lakh (combined)

Monthly Expenses: Rs. 2 lakh (including EMIs)

Assets:

Mutual Funds: Rs. 70 lakh

Stocks: Rs. 5 lakh

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 5 lakh

Other Investments: Rs. 5 lakh

Provident Fund: Rs. 45 lakh (combined)

Vehicles: Rs. 10 lakh

Liabilities:

Home Loan 1: Rs. 18 lakh (EMI: Rs. 26,500)

Home Loan 2: Rs. 50 lakh (EMI: Rs. 47,000)

Retirement Corpus Estimation
Target Monthly Expenses Post-Retirement: Rs. 1 lakh

Expected Retirement Age: 50 years

Life Expectancy: 85 years

Inflation Rate: 6%

Expected Return on Investments Post-Retirement: 8%

Based on these assumptions, you would require a retirement corpus of approximately Rs. 6 crore to maintain your desired lifestyle in a tier-2 city.

Children's Education Planning
Child 1: Currently in 5th standard

Child 2: Currently in UKG

Child 3: Currently in play school

Assuming higher education costs of Rs. 25 lakh per child in today's terms and considering an education inflation rate of 10%, the future cost for each child could be significantly higher. Therefore, it's essential to start dedicated investments for each child's education.

Action Plan
Increase Savings: Aim to save at least 40% of your combined monthly income.

Debt Reduction: Prioritize paying off high-interest debts to reduce financial burden.

Investment Strategy:

Continue investing in mutual funds with a focus on long-term growth.

Diversify your portfolio to include a mix of equity and debt instruments.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6 months of expenses.

Insurance:

Ensure adequate life insurance coverage for both you and your wife.

Obtain comprehensive health insurance for the entire family.

Final Insights
You're on a solid financial path with a strong income and investment base.

Focus on increasing your savings rate and reducing liabilities.

Plan systematically for your children's education expenses.

Regularly review and adjust your investment portfolio to align with your retirement goals.

Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner to tailor a comprehensive financial plan for your family's needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4417 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 12, 2025

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Career
Hii sir muje aaose puchhna hai mere bete ne ssc kiboard ki exam fi hai aage ki padhai k bare me thoda confuse hai hambe dmit bhi karvaya ...to dmit k councelar ne hame science stram lene se mana kar diya hai aur engineering me bhi dalne se mana kiya hame use cse diploma me karvana chahte the lekin councelar ne commers aur arts me jane ki salah di hai dmit test par kitna trust karna chahiye kya kare
Ans: Uday Sir, thank you for reaching RediffGURU. Your concern is completely valid — and many parents face the same confusion after 10th, especially after taking a DMIT test. Let me explain everything in a clear and practical way: DMIT (Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test) is based on fingerprint patterns and claims to assess a child’s inborn talents, personality, and learning style. While it can give some general insights, it is not scientifically proven and should not be the sole basis for career decisions. However, to some extent, Psychometric Test will be more helpful, compared to DMIT, providing some suitable career options for your son. So, use DMIT as a guidance tool, not as the final decision-maker. What Should You Focus on Instead? His Interest + Aptitude + Effort — These matter more than any test. Look at your son's performance in Maths, Science, English, etc. during SSC. Has he shown any interest in: Coding or Computers? Business or Finance? Design or Creativity? Communication or Language? Based on this, you/he can help select the right stream (Engineering | Medical | Commerce | Arts-Humanities) or he prefers Diploma (like CSE Diploma after 10th) if he's not confident about handling 11th-12th Science, then a diploma in Computer Engineering (CSE) is a good alternative. After 3 years of diploma, he can join 2nd year of Engineering (B.E/B.Tech) through lateral entry. But again, it should be based on his interest in technology or computers — not pressure.

Talk to your son — ask what he enjoys or dreams about. Use DMIT + school marks + family guidance together to decide. Don’t choose a stream only because “DMIT said so” or “log kya kahenge.” All the best for your Son's Bright Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4417 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 09, 2025Hindi
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Career
sir mene 2022-2023 baords diya tha pass nhi hua 2023-2024 diya hn pass hoga but percentage km aye then 2024-2025 krliya hn 90 percent aaye hn isme mene as a regular students karya hn naaki ki improvemnt likha nhi aayega school balo ne confirm kiyaa hn kya ab jee de skta mains and adv 2026 mein iwant to scoore good in adv sir 2026 with good rank
Ans: Your Academic History Recap: 2022-2023: Gave boards – Did not pass.2023-2024: Gave boards again – Passed, but low percentage. 2024-2025: Appeared as a regular student, scored 90%, and the school confirmed it won’t show as improvement. Are You Eligible for JEE Main & Advanced 2026? Yes, you are eligible for both JEE Main and Advanced 2026, because only your latest qualified attempt is considered, which is 2025. You passed 12th in 2025, so your first JEE Advanced attempt will be in 2025, and second in 2026 (which is what you’re planning). Make sure your 2025 mark sheet shows you as a regular pass and not an "improvement candidate. In JEE Advanced, eligibility criteria say: "A candidate should have appeared for the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either the previous year or the current year." You are within this rule because 2025 is your first full qualified passing year. Plan to Score High in JEE Advanced 2026. Since you have a full year to prepare, here’s a strategy: Focus on Concepts: Use NCERT, HC Verma, Irodov, Cengage, or MS Chauhan as per subjects. Join any reliable online Test Series. Solve PYQs (Last 20 years): For both Mains and Advanced. Revise Smartly: Make short notes, formula sheets, and track your weak areas. Stay Consistent: Use Pomodoro technique, meditation/yoga to stay sharp. If time permits, watch EduJob360 YouTube Videos on Engineering Entrance Exams, Preparation Strategies, Counselling & More. All the best for your preparation & admissions!

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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