There's something a little ironic about being a single woman who manages dating sites and dating advice sites. When people ask me what I do and I tell them that I set up and sold a portfolio of successful dating sites and now manage this dating advice and support site, they naturally assume that I've got my own life perfectly sorted. Well, that's really not the case...though I do practise what I preach. In my case I think part of the problem is that I genuinely love what I do for work. Writing about dating sites, reviewing online dating services, working with singles events organisers and going to singles parties is all good fun. And, much easier if you are single. But, like everyone else I'd love to find someone special for me too. So, I thought I share some of my experiences with you...and perhaps we can all learn together!

Single Life in London

I'm single, in my 40s, live in central London and work from home. And, although London has some great things to do, I prefer doing most things with my friends rather than alone. Working from home can be very isolating - you get up in the morning, go from bedroom to bathroom to kitchen to study and sit at a desk all day writing and making phone calls. There's no coffee bar, no staff canteen and no office gossip. So, here are some of the things I do to help get me out of the house.

Firstly, I make sure I arrange something to do that gets me face to face with people at least every other day of the week. I use a whole range of business networking events - organisations like Ecademy and Soflow for example. I do that sort of thing with a 'business hat' on. But, I still have fun, meet people and it all helps to build my business.

I arrange to meet my friends - both the single ones and those in relationships for lunch or for supper...if necessary I bribe them with home cooked food - one of the advantages of working from home is that I can cook during the day and have a hot meal waiting for a tired commuter friend on their way home. It's a win-win situation...I get to see my friends and they get to eat well.