What happens when love tips over into the infatuated state of ‘limerence’? A neuroscientist decided to study the addiction-like obsession of limerence, while overcoming it himself
Realising we’re all made-up characters in a story world helps me understand people Considering everyone is a protagonist in their own narrative brought clarity for Will Storr
The death of my friend inspired me to follow my standup dreams For one writer, tragedy led to comedy, the sudden loss of a colleague giving her the nudge she needed
Leave the hurt behind! How to let go of a grudge Resentment is natural when you’ve been wronged, but over time it can become bitter and self-defeating. Psychologists explain how to move on
After becoming obsessed with self-help, I had to heal from ‘healing’ How the writer found her ongoing fixation on self-development was actually working against her
Virtual reality goggles helped me on the path to physical recovery An unexpected bit of tech opened up a whole new world of possibilities for a frustrated, injured writer
Wild swimming gave me the courage to write my own rules Out of his depth and determined to defy stereotypes, one writer discovered his sense of self in a bracing cold dip
I became absorbed in strangers’ fertility journeys online What started as curiosity would turn into an emotional investment for Celia Silvani – and eventually, a lifeline
It’s time to rethink boredom, procrastination and regret That’s the way to fulfil your goals and have fun in life, writes Simon May
Wallowing in a soup of despair? Try ‘lemonading’ to buck the gloom Linda Geddes spends a week with a clown, a comic and some toddlers to test the science behind the uplifting power of play
When my daughter’s pregnancy was on the line, it felt like history was repeating itself… Joanna Moorhead recalls her daughter’s difficult birth as she watches her go through the same thing 32 years later
Seeking Zen at a silent Buddhist retreat comes with its own challenges It was supposed to be a quiet and peaceful weekend, but it left one writer lost for words
How writing about female cannibals changed my relationship with food Describing issues of autonomy, femgore, worth and hunger all had an impact on what I wrote and how I felt about myself, says Lucy Rose
The Big Idea: looking for a better life? Follow your nose Smell has an outsize effect on our thoughts and moods, so it’s worth paying more attention to it
Would you let AI choose your outfits? Chloë Hamilton explores the possibilities, with surprising results…