I’ve fallen head over heels for a colleague 30 years younger

DEAR DEIDRE: EVEN though she’s 30 years younger than me, I can’t get my female colleague out of my head.

I know there’s no reality where we could ever be together, but ignoring my feelings has become increasingly more difficult. 

Every time I see her I fall a bit harder, and it’s really starting to get me down.

I’m 58, she’s 28 and we work in a hotel where she’s a receptionist and I’m the bar manager.

Ever since my wife left me eight years ago I’ve become so lonely and depressed.

Minus a few family members that I see occasionally I have no one, and it’s started to become quite isolating. 

When my colleague started work with us seven months ago she was so kind and warm towards me from the get-go. 

She made such an effort with me, so we quickly became good friends.

Ever since, we’ve spent every lunch hour chatting away and, over time, we’ve begun to confide in each other.

For the first time in ages, it feels like someone genuinely cares for me.

While I did everything I could to fight it, naturally I started to grow deep feelings for her.

I know it’ll never work, and the last thing I want is to ruin our friendship, but it’s so painful seeing her every day. 

I’ve tried my best to get over it, but it feels impossible.

How can I move on from this?

DEIDRE SAYS: Falling for someone who is unattainable can be really painful. 

It can also be especially hard if you’re having to see each other every day, making it almost impossible to move on.

It sounds like you’ve already accepted that this woman is out of reach, so it would be best for you to try and meet someone around your own age and at the same life stage as you. 

My support packs Finding The Love Of Your Life and Widening Your Social Scene will help.