Change and self-development

Self-knowledge and personal growth Relationships, work and leisure Values and ethical living

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Photo of a stack of six sugar cookies on a marble surface with two cookies lying flat beside them against a dark background.

Emotion regulation

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The best way to exercise self-control is not to exercise it at all

Accept it: your self-control is weak. You’re more likely to reach long-term goals if you find ways to avoid temptation

by Laverl Z Williamson

Three senior male cyclists in racing outfits sit on chairs, each wearing a helmet and cycling shoes, resting between races. The cyclist on the left wears a white and light blue kit, the middle one wears a teal and yellow kit, and the cyclist on the right wears a blue and yellow kit.

Ageing

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Rather than fearing getting old, here’s how to embrace it

Whether you are 20 or 90, each moment of life presents an opportunity to focus on what really matters to you

by Berit Lewis

A woman reading a book sitting outside a café with a drink, surrounded by menus, signs and a small table with bottles.

Habits and routines

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How to read more books

Modern life can feel too frantic for books. Use these habit-building strategies to carve out time for the joy of reading

by Christian Jarrett

Close-up of a colourful, abstract wool sculpture resembling a face with various textures and fibres extending outward.

Love

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Making love strange to imagine it anew – a startling, award-winning animation

Directed by Anushka Naanayakkara

A countryside landscape with a homemade box sign reading “EGGS £1.00” in the foreground, surrounded by fields and trees.

Virtues and vices

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The virtue of honesty requires more than just telling the truth

Honesty has fallen out of fashion, yet it is essential to self-improvement. How can we cultivate this neglected virtue?

by Christian B Miller

Photo of students sitting at desks in a classroom. Focus is on a woman appearing thoughtful with a water bottle nearby.

Anxiety

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Set yourself free by developing a growth mindset toward anxiety

Everyone feels anxious in moments of not knowing. It’s your beliefs about anxiety that influence what you do next

by Hans Schroder

A silhouette of a man sitting under a curtain, overlooking boats and a hotel restaurant by the waterfront in an old town.

Difficult emotions

guide

How to deal with regret

In a world of choices, it’s impossible to avoid regret. Unpleasant as it is, you can make it bearable, even inspirational

by Jelena Kecmanovic

A young person dancing with arms extended and hair flying, seen from below, with sky background. Two other excited people watch.

Dance

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A street dance born amid poverty and violence offers a radical form of self-care

Directed by Maceo Frost

Traffic on a rainy motorway with a sign indicating a stranded vehicle and a 40 mph speed limit.

Decision-making

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Why small annoyances can harm us more than big disruptions

A largely forgotten psychological concept helps explain the insidiousness of minor problems – and what to do about it

by Shayla Love

Photo of two people laughing and an elderly man sitting on a mosaic bench in a park with green trees in the background.

Personality

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There’s a reason some of us find it easier to change than others

There is a personality trait we carry throughout life that explains why some of us find it easier to change than others

by Amanda J Wright

A group of people in vibrant green and floral costumes, laughing and celebrating with flowers and horns, next to a stone wall and window.

Joy

guide

How to start having more fun

Fun isn’t frivolous – it’s vital for your wellbeing. Here’s a step-by-step plan to bring more pleasure into your busy life

by Mike Rucker

Animation of a girl in a red cap sitting in a tree, with a fox below and vibrant plants and mushrooms surrounding them.

Happiness

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Martha’s adventures through the washing machine looking-glass

Directed by Hannah Jacobs