Ok, so I've been searching the internet for advice and even came across an old mumsnet thread on this very topic and the responses are sometimes harsh, which I'm prepared for. As per my thread title, this is something that is genuinely starting to bother me greatly now and I'm really hoping that there will be some of you out there who have experienced the same thing and could give me some advice.
Some background: early 30s, recently married. I've always enjoyed male attention (assuming that's pretty normal?!), would never have done anything outrageous or even been with a lot of guys before my husband. My issue though is that throughout every and all relationship (including with my now husband) I still seem to seek\want men to find me attractive and I'm starting to hate that about myself. And before I'm asked the logical question of is my husband right for me etc, I genuinely don't think that's the problem. We get on great, I'm attracted to him, we have great sex - probably not as frequent as the start but still regular enough for that not to worry me. I'm very lucky to have him. The problem is me.
A quick example for context. A new guy at work, few years younger than me has been asking about me to my colleague saying he fancies me bla bla. Nice guy but young and immature. I don't even see him that often. But here I am the familiar old tale of knowing this information that he fancies me, I find myself thinking about him and almost getting a kick out of being friendly back etc. And I feel so bloody stupid and immature myself for giving a shit. It's like my validation comes from if someone fanices me. I would be considered attractive (I know saying that isn't very likeable) not that I have men falling over themselves for me at all - just putting it in for context so that maybe I'm basing my self worth on my looks. And possibly conscious that as I continue to get older I'll get less attention or something?? How can I stop feeling this way?
I wonder too - and the reason for posting (looking for reassurance maybe) is that is this something more common than I think and am I being unnecessarily harsh on myself. I think the reason it's not is the level that it's affecting me. I'm becoming increasingly guilty, probably since getting married and I suppose I worry that one day I'll cheat or something. Never have but it worries me nonetheless. I want to not care what any other male thinks of me except my husband.
Any advice? Please!