Relatives keep commenting on my age at every function. How do I handle it?

You're right, smiling through constant comments about your age and marital status is exhausting, and it’s understandable you’ve started avoiding family events. However, withdrawing entirely comes at a cost, potentially isolating you from the very people who offer support and joy in other aspects of your life. Finding a way to manage these interactions allows you to reclaim your place at family gatherings. The most effective strategy is to have a few short, prepared lines ready. These prevent you from improvising under pressure and can gently but firmly close the conversation. For casual relatives or those who enjoy gossip, a simple, polite deflection works best: "My parents and I are exploring suitable options, thank you for your concern." Or, "When the time is right, it will happen, and we'll share the good news." These lines acknowledge their comment without inviting a detailed discussion. This pattern of unsolicited advice and pressure often comes from a variety of family members; while we might picture an older aunt doing it, the dynamic is equally common when an uncle or even a sibling applies the same kind of pressure, regardless of your gender. For genuinely caring family members, like a favourite aunt or a close cousin, you might choose to engage more deeply, but do so privately, away from the crowd. You could explain, "I appreciate your concern, but these public comments actually make me feel more stressed, not less. I'd prefer if we didn't discuss it at functions." Acknowledging their good intent while setting a boundary can be powerful. It won't be easy to shift these long-standing family habits, and some relatives might still persist. But by choosing your responses deliberately, you regain control over the conversation and protect your peace, allowing you to participate in family life on your own terms rather than retreating from it.