Dear Chris

It’s so hard when you feel such chemistry but it’s only one-sided, we’ve all been there! Sadly, I think this is the position in which you find yourself.

It’s so easy to read things into some situations which simply aren’t there. The email was almost certainly intended for everyone in your office (although I wonder at someone who expects the boss to do the circulating of said email!).

I think you’ve built up a ‘relationship’ with this woman in your head which really doesn’t exist. I suspect you suffer from low self-esteem and perhaps should spend some time trying to build your confidence so that, next time you are attracted to someone (and, yes, it will happen again!) you are able to simply ask them out. Even if they say no, you will be able to take it on the chin.

There is lots of useful information online about low self-esteem, the causes of it and what to do about it.

Regarding the ear thing, very odd. It seems to happen to you in time of stress so I wonder if it’s caused by muscle spasm or teeth clenching because of anxiety. Might be worth getting it checked out by a GP just to assure yourself it’s nothing more than that – if you’ve had no hearing loss, it probably isn’t.

Hope this helps.

Jan