Identity

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

Photo of four men embracing on a beach at night with colourful lights blurred in the background.

Gender

idea

Too many men lack close friendships. What’s holding them back?

Some masculine norms are a straightjacket, depriving men of the connections they need. It takes bravery to leave them behind

by Angelica Puzio Ferrara

A blue sports car and a grey luxury car parked on a city street with people and a Christian Dior shop in the background.

Gender

idea

The ‘masculinity crisis’ is actually a crisis of self-esteem

There’s a modern belief that talent or effort can carry anyone to the top. It’s a myth that’s especially harmful to men

by Leo Rogers

A yellow shirt on a hanger by a door with sunlight streaming in through a window in the background.

Work and vocation

guide

Six ways to use clothes to boost your confidence at work

Regardless of your budget or fashion sense, dressing with more intention can benefit your mindset and performance

by Dahlia Stroud

A photo of an artist in a cap and paint-splattered trousers sitting next to a large painting of a man holding his face in his hands.

Painting and sculpture

film

A rural Namibian artist reflects on authenticity in work and in life

Directed by Niklas von Klitzing and Leo Stolz

Photo of people in winter clothing exiting a tram at a busy station.

Autism

idea

Late autism diagnosis: it’s a relief, but who’s behind the mask?

By the time an adult learns they’re autistic, they have often been covering up for years. A period of self-discovery awaits

by Leonie Mercedes

Photo of an aeroplane parked at Bologna Airport with the terminal and control tower in the background.

Communication and language

idea

Speaking a different language can change how you act and feel

For many multilinguals, switching between tongues can lead to shifts in personality, revealing the malleability of the self

by Antonella Gismundi

Various hats displayed on stands in a shop window with a blurred street scene and bicycle outside.

Identity

guide

You have multiple ‘social identities’ – here’s how to manage them

As social beings, our identities are bound up with different groups – here’s how to juggle all the various hats you wear

by Anna K Zinn

Two people enjoying a scenic sunset with one raising their arms and the other looking sideways, in an outdoor setting.

Identity

film

Three sisters craft a lyrical tribute to their mother from old family VHS tapes

Directed by Jay Stephen and Ralph Briscoe

Photo of a quaint bookshop with a green facade and display window filled with books, a person entering via a side door.

Place

idea

‘Place authenticity’ is an important, overlooked part of life

From indie bookshops to artisan cafes, spending time in unique, characterful places can enrich your own sense of self

by Ashley Krause

Photo of a yellow shirt on a hanger in front of a door with someone holding it in a sunlit room.

Work and vocation

idea

Six ways to use clothes to boost your confidence at work

Regardless of your budget or fashion sense, dressing with more intention can benefit your mindset and performance

by Dahlia Stroud

Photo of wooden bookshelves filled with books, small decor items and framed pictures in a cosy room setting.

Stories and literature

guide

How to nurture a personal library

An escape, a sanctuary, a place of pleasure, a memoir. Take these steps to ensure your library is just what you want it to be

by Freya Howarth

A woman reclines on a sofa writing in a notebook while a man stands nearby drinking a beverage in a brightly lit room with books and plants.

Love

film

Each love story is its own small universe. This is Essence and Jihaari’s

Directed by Barry Jenkins