The sadness of separation
I cry all the time – I didn't realise being a single mother would be so hard. Thank goodness my mum is coming
The seven stages of separation
Anonymous: We've been ill and R and I have been arguing about a parenting decision. It seems like I'll be stuck on stage three of the seven stages of separation – anger and bargaining – for some time
Loneliness is an inevitable result of Britain’s economic model
Aditya Chakrabortty: The health secretary is wrong on who loneliness affects and wrong on what causes it
The novel that gives me insight into my alcoholic husband
I have sort of fallen in love with a character in a novel who is a fortysomething hard-drinking writer – a brutal narcissist and over-the-hill, womanising alcoholic. Some would say I have questionable taste in men
I’ve stopped obsessing about my ex
I'm enjoying time away from my husband and the children. Until recently, he was on my mind all the time – finally I can stop obsessing about him
My house needs a rejig – and so does my brain
It's easy to get addicted to self-pity but making a list of my five best and worst moments each day helps
Our marriage may be over, but we’ll always have Paris
I have good memories of the past, including a romantic weekend abroad 10 years ago, when we looked after each other
On my own I have time to think
On holiday, away from my husband, my enthusiasm for life is returning – I feel content
Newly single, I suddenly feel happy again
At my parents', with the children, I feel protected by the familiarity of the house and my family