I was let go four months ago from a job and company that I loved, due to the company's mass terminating of thousands.

I'd been a consistent, reliable, high-performer with seniority over others in my department. I know many other good employees were let go, and I shouldn't take personally that I was in this group.

But I'm finding it impossible to let go of my anger. I luckily landed a great job only a month later, but still feel incredibly bitter about being let go.

Whenever someone talks about what happened, I feel worse. Should I have taken more time before starting my new job? How can I move on?

Terminated

Those employers who make "necessary" economic decisions have no idea of the mental health fallout they cause. Imagine how many "good employees" like yourself, who have NOT found another good job, feel about what happened!

It's the blow to your pride, and upset to your former routines, that's rattled you... not loss of money or recognition of your skills. You're focused on the rejection and loss of control. I suspect you don't do well with such things in other areas of your life, either.

But holding onto bitterness brings out negativity that won't serve you well. If you still want to be considered an excellent and valuable employee NOW, talk yourself out of this self-pity. The longer you indulge it, the less anyone will care.

Consider seeing a therapist to probe whether it's old hurts that have kicked in here and need resolving.

We had an open relationship when we first started dating, then after agreeing to be exclusive, he carried on with a previous partner. I found out and ended the relationship. He begged for another chance, which I gave him.

Several years later, I bought a home so we could live together. After a year, he announced he's unhappy with his life there, and is moving out. I discovered he'd been carrying on a text relationship with a past sexual partner who was coaching him to leave.

I recognized that I'd been pushing him away for some time, so this time I begged for another chance. He stayed. We shortly discovered I was several months pregnant.

It brought us together, but soon after the baby was born I became paranoid that he was becoming distant, checked his email, and found his blatant request for sex sent to his old text-mate.

I told him to leave and never return. He begged for one last chance.

Years later, the relationship isn't perfect, but I'm a good partner, and proven I'm in it for the long haul. When I suggest getting married, he becomes defensive and upset and says, "We're not ready."

I can't figure out his standards for "ready." I financially carry our lifestyle, I've forgiven his mistakes, I love him, and he even mentions having another child.

What's the problem here?

You've been propping up this relationship from the start - emotionally and financially. Yet you still love the guy and are raising a child together.

If the day-to-day is going well and you feel loved in return, pushing for marriage may turn out to be counter-productive.

However, if you feel you're the only one applying the glue/money to holding it together, do NOT consider a second pregnancy.

And DO insist on some timeline for the commitment of marriage you seem to really need. If he refuses, decide finally what you can live with and what you can't live without.

I've gained some weight and needed some new clothes. Especially pants. I went shopping at my favourite store and a wonderful clerk took care of me. I brought along a very good friend to help me decide.

After an hour and a half, I decided what I wanted. However, I did not really feel comfortable with the pants I had chosen out of MANY! I have that funny feeling in my stomach that they're not for me. However, I feel very embarrassed returning them. They have a good return policy.

Awkward

The policy is there for you to use. A favoured store with a "wonderful clerk" doesn't want to lose your business. As a consumer, you don't want to feel forced by embarrassment to keep something that doesn't fit well and which you therefore won't wear.

Your need for a better-fitting pant is valid and understandable. Take the wrong pants back.