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Identity

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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

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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

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

Autism

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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

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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

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

Place

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‘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

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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 a colourful parade float spelling “LOVE” with balloons in an urban street setting.

Parenting and families

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Radical love: how my trans child changed my identity as a mother

My child grew into a new version of himself – as all children do – and I wondered about my new role. Anger helped me grasp it

by Patricia Martin

Photo showing a man’s reflection in glass with blurred people and tree branches in the foreground.

Values and beliefs

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What a dream helped me see about the politics of sovereignty

A moment of insight captured the danger in our widespread ‘sovereigntism’ – and how we ought to relate to each other instead

by Rupert Read

Photo of a shop window display with various hats on stands, a blurred street view outside with a bicycle in the background.

Identity

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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

Photo of a woman using a phone by a sunny window with a city view. She is next to a suitcase and a red chair.

Place

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The divided self: does where I live make me who I am?

At home in Delhi, I am a more social, interactive person. A quiet balcony in Frankfurt gave me space to be by myself

by Anandi Mishra

Painting of settlers in covered wagons crossing a grassy landscape with mountains in the background and people on horses nearby.

Identity

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I rebuilt my self-esteem by changing the story of who I am

I once clung to a dubious family legend to help me cope with a difficult childhood. I’ve since found a better story to tell

by Patricia Olsen

A smiling neurodiverse child holds a red balloon. In the background people hold balloons of various colours

Neurodiversity

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Essentialism is insidious – but it might also be helpful

Stereotypes are obviously bad, but believing you share an essence with others could help people who feel marginalised

by Ariana Orvell & Alexa Lebrón-Cruz

Photo of two people entering a room with a view of a cityscape through large glass doors, Empire State Building visible.

Disability

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Blindness transformed my social world, and I changed with it

One of the biggest challenges in becoming blind late in life has been overcoming sighted people’s negative assumptions

by Jeffry Ricker