The moment I knew: We were babysitting my younger siblings and he wore a tutu to make them laugh
When Sarah Maloney’s primary school crush danced back into her life, she braced for a ‘teenage whirlwind romance’. Then one night, she realised they were both all inFind more stories from the moment I knew seriesIn 2017 I was 16, went to an all-girls…
A good friend brings her dogs when she stays with me. I kind of dread it. What can I do? | Leading questions
People often forget social rules when dogs are involved, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. But you’ll have to say something if you want things to changeRead more Leading questionsA good friend of mine stays with me regularly when she comes…
Alice Zaslavsky’s shortcut beetroot baked risotto – recipe
An unconventional technique makes this vibrant rice – finished with dill fronds – a lower-touch dinner for weeknightsCheck out more Alice Zaslavsky recipesThis shortcut risotto will have purists shaking their fists, but I like to live dangerously. Unlike…
‘There’s a lot of silence’: have we created a new ‘Lonely Generation’?
Learning to be one human among many has always been a little lonely and discombobulating. But young people around the world are lonelier than ever. Why?In September, a Reddit user identifying themselves as a 25-year-old man turned to the r/ForeverAlone…
The moment I knew: As a reality TV contestant, I was allowed one 15-minute call a week. Even at 3am, Chris would always pick up
Conor Curran’s first date with Chris lasted nine hours but their relationship remained casual. Then, when Conor was at his most vulnerable, Chris was there for himFind more stories from the moment I knew seriesAt 29 I had lost my career in hospitality…
My wife obsessively consumes US news. She’s so stressed but can’t turn off. What should I do? | Leading questions
Instead of asking her to step away from her distress, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith, could you suggest she channel it into action?Read more Leading questionsMy wife is obsessed with everything that’s happening in the US. She literally…
The kindness of strangers: Two helicopter pilots flew down low to wave to my three-year-old son – he was beside himself with joy
My son adores helicopters, so we waved as hard as possible as it flew past. Then it suddenly looped and came back aroundRead more in the kindness of strangers seriesMy sister lives in Ukraine; I live in Australia. We had gone five long years without…
The moment I knew: My late fiance’s favourite song was playing – and Billy said ‘Jamie’s here, isn’t that nice?’
After the death of his partner, Anthony Nocera had almost given up on love. Then Billy walked through the doorFind more stories from the moment I knew seriesIn 2024, about 18 months after my fiance Jamie passed away, I decided I was lonely and horny and…
I hoped my children would have epiphanies while visiting my homeland; my father suggested we go swimming instead
I brought my children to Penang to immerse them in the places of their grandparents’ stories. When I stopped lecturing them about gratitude and privilege, we enjoyed our final days doing as locals doAs I stepped out of Penang international airport, the…
I love my life and my cup is full but I’m drowning in shame for things left undone. How can I balance it all? | Leading questions
You are not the only one, advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith writes. It will help to ask whether you have a time problem or a bandwidth problemRead more Leading questionsI love my life in so many ways. I have a rewarding job, I’m making stellar…