Love

A painting of a woman sitting at a table with a glass of beer, a cigarette, and a contemplative expression in a café setting.

Why it can be sublime to love someone who doesn’t love you back

Unrequited love might be bitter and painful, but it is also the ultimate expression of your humanity. Don’t fight it

by Alexandra Gustafson

Silhouette of a person looking at a pop art painting of a crying woman.

How to ease the pain of heartache

You’re experiencing a profound form of grief that can make you physically ill. These steps will give you a chance to heal

by Ziella Bryars

Black and white photo of a man and woman in swimwear relaxing on a sandy beach with rocky cliffs in the background.

LOVE

Love shouldn’t be blind or mad. Instead, fall rationally in love

Blind, all-consuming love goes against your interests and impedes your flourishing. Submit your love to rational scrutiny

by Berit Brogaard

Black and white photo of a couple embracing with their hands intertwined behind one person’s head, set in a dimly lit space.

SEX AND SEXUALITY

How to explore ethical non-monogamy

Before enjoying the freedoms of a more open relationship, get a handle on the practical and emotional complexities ahead

by Meg Wilson

Photo of a person reading a book at a cafe table with a yellow bag and iced coffee, seen through a window.

LOVE

How to enjoy being single

‘Happily ever after’ is a romantic myth. Defy society’s singlism and discover ways to embrace a joyful, independent life

by David Robson

Photo of two people sitting in a cafe by a window, with street view and classic cars outside. Warm lighting inside.

LOVE

How to be more secure in your relationships

Too clingy – or too scared to commit? Your attachment style is rooted in your childhood, but you can change it

by Graham Johnston & Matt Wotton

Photo of two people at a dinner table laughing heartily with wine glasses and a plate in the foreground.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

Why it takes humour to sustain a long-term relationship

Maintaining a long and happy relationship requires a specific skillset. Learning to laugh at yourself and together is key

by Enrico Gnaulati

An aeroplane seen in silhouette, flying against a dramatic sunset sky with clouds.

LOVE

How to make a long-distance relationship work

Whether an hour or an ocean apart, there will be challenges, but this therapist shows how to make the most of the upsides

by Charlie Huntington

Black and white photo of a couple kissing in a car, focus on a hand wearing a ring and watch embracing the partner.

LOVE

How to think differently about love

Poets, philosophers and scientists all tell stories about the nature of romantic love. It can be liberating to critique them

by Arina Pismenny

An elderly man smiling broadly with sunglasses on, reclining on a floral lounge chair beside an elderly woman outdoors.

LOVE

Does it matter if your romantic partner is similar to you?

From traits like extraversion to specific habits, there are many ways a couple can match. New research tests whether it helps

by Phuong Linh L Nguyen & Moin Syed

A romantic 18th-century painting depicting a seated couple embracing in a lush garden scene with soft, earthy tones.

LOVE

Working, flirting and sex: courtship in 18th-century France

Flirting, sex and affection: working-class couples courting in 18th-century France show they are not so different from today

by Julie Hardwick

LOVE

The problem with love is deciding who’s doing the dishes

The modern rhetoric of love is all about caring and sharing, and very little about equality and justice. Can philosophy help?

by Patricia Marino

Photo of a couple kissing at a café table with glasses of wine, seen through a window reflecting city lights.

LOVE

Your partner’s infidelity needn’t be a relationship catastrophe

Infidelity needn’t end a relationship: many people have affairs for reasons that have nothing to do with their partner

by Dylan Selterman

Painting of a woman in 18th-century attire holding flowers by a window with a small dog on a bench.

POETRY

How to write a love poem

Flirtatious texts are soon forgotten. Learn to express your feelings in a beautiful way that will make a lasting impression

by Dan Simpson

Ancient Roman mosaic of four people gathered around a reclined figure on a bed with draped fabric overhead.

POETRY

Love’s contradictions: Catullus on the agony of infatuation

Behold a man tortured on the rack, pulled apart by love and hate: how to understand Catullus’s best-known poem

by Armand D’Angour

Painting of a traditional Chinese funeral, people in white robes mourning around a deceased figure on a table.

RITUALS AND CELEBRATIONS

Rituals create community by translating our love into action

For the Confucian Xunzi, love and gratitude are not just feelings in response to events but possibilities for social action

by Curie Virág