A moment that changed me: My mother fell off a mountain – and my life began again
A bad breakup had made me afraid I would be mired in anger for ever. But on that family hike, in our fear and horror as we awaited the air ambulance, my old hurts took on a different hueTo steal a well-known line, 2023 is not a year on which I shall look…
I hiked 100 miles to find the best walking poles, here are my favourites
Trekking poles can improve balance on uneven terrain and reduce stress on joints. Our seasoned adventurer put 10 to the test to find the best• ‘I’d never head out without one’: 10 hiking essentialsOh, I would walk 500 miles – with the help of a trusty…
‘Online sex workers literally have to bare it all’: why Patricia Nilsson is exposing the world’s biggest porn bosses
As a business journalist, Nilsson began rigorously reporting on the power players of the adult industry, who prefer to remain in the shadows. Along the way, she uncovered how porn has shaped the internet – and our lives as a wholeThere was a time, a few…
Is tech the secret to a more analogue life? How gadgets, apps and tips could actually reduce your screen time
It’s often thought of as the problem, but what if the right technology could help us switch off and live more in the moment?• The best screen-free activitiesWith the continued backlash against AI and growing concern about our reliance on screens, an…
‘Just look at this monstrosity!’ Inside Britain’s bilious back yard shed wars
The number of luxury sheds and garden rooms has rocketed since the pandemic – fuelled by those wanting an office, a gym or extra living space. Meanwhile, the resentment between neighbours has been rising, tooLinda loves her shed. She loves that she can…
Get cosy: a stylish scarf, a comfy mattress topper and other buys you loved in September
Your other favourites included a lovely lamp, timeless jeans and a heated airer. Hunker down, anyone?• Don’t get the Filter delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereIt may be unseasonably warm, but September’s bestsellers list tells us you’re definitely in…
Gen Z has very strong opinions about age gap relationships – and it could be right | Zoe Williams
Older men and younger women were once an unremarkable screen pairing. But watching them with a new generation is a real educationI looked up the cast before I saw the new film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, thinking: “Who could be as good as Emma…
The pet I’ll never forget: Dennis the terrier – who once farted on Jilly Cooper’s sofa
It seemed like a good idea to get a puppy with my partner, but then he left me. Single life was hard at first but my disobedient dog made me laugh againIn the spring of 2024, my boyfriend and I lay in bed scrolling through photos of puppies. What about…
The one change that worked: Anxiety had me hiding from the world – then two magic questions set me free
I used to be terrified of socialising, certain I would embarrass myself the moment I opened my mouth. And as for dates …As with a lot of teenagers, social confidence was not my strong suit. Throughout my time at school in the early 2010s, I hated the…
The pain of letting go of a loved one’s belongings | Letters
Readers respond to Polly Hudson’s article about disposing of her late mother’s possessionsReading Polly Hudson’s account of clearing her mother’s house (My mum has died – and every decision I make about her belongings feels wrong, 20 September) made…