To Be Happy, Hide From the Spotlight
Even if you have no interest in being a pop star or the president, beware the siren song of prestige.
Masks Are Changing How Kids Interact
Some kids are struggling to recognize each other through masks—but schools and parents can teach them other skills to compensate.
How to Break a Phone Addiction
You can forge a happier relationship with your devices by using them more mindfully.
The Gender Researcher’s Guide to an Equal Marriage
In their personal lives, sociologists attempt to ward off the same inequalities that they study at work.
I Didn’t Know My Mom Was Dying. Then She Was Gone.
Would things have been better if I had known the truth?
How to Rekindle a Long-Distance Friendship
“I think about nonphysical connections as seeds for potential future physical connections—things that can blossom.”
A Profession Is Not a Personality
Reducing yourself to any single characteristic, whether it be your title or your job performance, is a deeply damaging act.
My Dad Is Dead. His Landlord Just Evicted Him.
A jumble of complicated and unexpected logistical tasks can fall into your lap after a loved one dies.
Consent Is About More Than Sex
Respecting personal boundaries is important in all interactions. The pandemic has made that clearer than ever.
The Difference Between Hope and Optimism
For starters, hope is better.
Resimercial: The Terrible Word for Today’s Trendy Office Aesthetic
Domestic touches have become popular in workplace design, further blurring the line between work and home.
Parents Are Lying to Get Their Little Kids Vaccinated
It’s surprisingly easy to get unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines for 10- and 11-year-olds who can “pass” for 12.
The Value of Friendships That Don’t Come Easy
“I probably wouldn’t have naturally fallen into friendship with Heather. It took a little more effort; it took a desire to really pursue getting to know someone.”
Go for a Walk
What I learned about transcendence from a very boring 100-mile trek
The Secret to a Fight-Free Relationship
Conventional wisdom says that venting is cathartic and that we should never go to bed angry. But couples who save disagreements for scheduled meetings show the benefits of a more patient approach to conflict.
‘What If the Thing You’re Waiting for Never Arrives?’
Waiting for Godot is a classic that feels like it was written for the Delta era of the pandemic.
Stop Waiting for Your Soul Mate
Love isn’t destiny. That’s what makes it so sweet.
Every Dog Is a Rescue Dog
Saying goodbye to George
A Friendship That Fuels a Bigger Notion of Family
“It’s comforting to have a village of companions in this adventure to raise these children.”
The Coming Wave of Evictions Is More Than a Housing Crisis
Evictions disrupt people’s health, relationships, work, and education. Now all those struggles will be exacerbated by the pandemic.