The Most Tortured Relationship in America
Monogamy is one of the last bipartisan ideals—even if people struggle to live up to it.
Family
In Praise of ‘Difficult’ Kids
Feisty children can be exhausting. They also possess a moral fire that deserves cultivating.
The Endless Goodbye
More than a decade before my dad died, I lost him to dementia.
Everyone Thinks They Need a NeeDoh
But no one can find one.
When Losing a Pregnancy Leads to Losing Friends
I didn’t know if our relationships could hold my grief and their joy all at once. So I disappeared.
Live Like the Ancient Cynics
Modern cynicism traps you in an unhappy cycle. The original version will set you free.
People Are Hiding That Their Unvaccinated Loved Ones Died of COVID
With the arrival of vaccines, compassion for COVID deaths began to dry up, sometimes replaced by scorn.
What If We Just Stopped Being So Available?
Today’s norms of responsiveness are ridiculous. We shouldn’t apologize for failing to meet them.
One Friend Is Married to Him. The Other Used to Be.
“There’s a high level of emotional intelligence here, and love, that really makes it work.”
How to Succeed at Failure
Sometimes you just can’t win. Make the most of it.
Why Making Friends in Midlife Is So Hard
I thought I was done dating. But after moving across the country, I had to start again—this time, in search of platonic love.
Some Questions for a Man Who Expects He Could Live to 150
“I accept a high probability that weather and climate will be the cause of my death.”
Listen to Your Own Advice
Guilt, fear, and low self-esteem can stop you from living by your own wisdom. Here’s how to overcome them.
How Hobbies Infiltrated American Life
America has a love affair with “productive leisure.”