How Islam conquered my mother’s fear of cats

She’d always found them evil and scary, but when I wanted a cat in lockdown I appealed to my mum’s faith

‘Be interested, be curious, hear what’s not said’: how I learned to really listen to people

Being a good listener isn’t just about shutting up and not interrupting – it’s about really taking in what someone is telling you

Doggy dependency: how to break post-lockdown separation anxiety

Lockdown has been hard for all of us – even our pets. Now my dog wants my undivided attention

‘It was devastating’: what happens when therapy makes things worse?

Therapists are meant to help people change their lives, but those who behave badly may end up doing more harm than good

Good grief: how to get over a bone-crushing disappointment

Sorrow and disappointment are a big part of pandemic life – and England football fans are now feeling them keenly. But there are ways to deal with these distressing emotions

How ‘acne positivity’ is helping teens – and soothing the scars of a lifetime

Teenage spots can ravage not just skin but mental health, too. Martin Love considers the lasting issues that can still be triggered years later

Why I’m glad that I’m an ‘overthinker’

Examining every aspect of a question can be exhausting, but the most amazing insights can be gained that way, writes Annalisa Barbieri

How I realised my family of two was perfect for me

Families come in all different sizes – the secret is realising that yours may be even better than the one you longed for

The male beauty myth: the growing acceptance of feeling comfortable looking good

Men who want to look good used to be disparaged and labelled vain. But times are finally changing…

Hope feels dangerous in a pandemic – so I am trying to build happiness by focusing on small delights

I am not one of nature’s sunbeams, but we all need optimism in our lives right now. Can looking for little moments of joy help, asks Emma Beddington