Dear James
James Parker tackles reader’s existential worries: what’s ailing, torturing, or nagging you.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
A reader keeps having to leave unsupportive support groups. And James Parker bids farewell to his column.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’m Tired of Being a Compulsive Liar
How to break the habit?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: My Stepson’s Biological Dad Is a Terrible Human
Should his mom and I tell him?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: My Guy Friends Are Stuck in a Rut
For 10 years, I haven’t seen any of them change for the better.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’m Tired of the Religious Platitudes
Does this make me a bad person?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’ve Lost My Writerly Fire
How do you keep it burning week after week?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I Fell in Love With My Friend—And Now I’m Confused
She seemed to return my affection but then backpedaled. Is this situationship doomed?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: What to Do With My Post-DOGE Life?
I’m lucky to have had a comfortable landing, but I’m struggling to find purpose.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: The Men I’m Dating Keep Leaving Me Numb
I’ve met plenty of nice guys, but I’m not feeling any sparks.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’m Stuck Caring for a Husband I No Longer Love
For decades, I’ve wanted to leave him. Now he has dementia, and it’s awful.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’ve Got a Bad Case of Unrequited Love
I’m 19, and I’ve fallen deeply for a colleague. But he’ll never feel the same.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: Do I Need to Be Nice to My Aging Stepfather?
He was pretty mean to me in his heyday—but now I’m feeling guilty for ignoring him.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: Do I Need to Shut Up at Work?
I try to temper my natural brusqueness with watercooler niceties, but sometimes I can’t help but speak up.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I Worry Too Much About What Other People Think
How do I free myself of their expectations?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: Am I Wrong Not to Dwell on the Past?
More often, I obsess about the future.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: How to Be a Better Loser?
I love tennis. But competitive defeat derails me.
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: My Ex and I Were Horrible to Each Other
Now I struggle with shame and guilt. How to move on?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’m 19 and Afraid of Dying Alone
Any advice?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: I’m Living in a Tragedy
Death, estrangement, a struggling friend: How does one carry on when the worst keeps happening?
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Illustration by Miguel Porlan Dear James: Do I Need to Share My Diagnosis?
I finally understand my past neurotic behavior—and wonder how much to disclose to friends and family.
