How to Deal with Difficult Family Members During the Holidays
Dealing with difficult family members during the holidays is all about getting uncomfortable, says expert Caleb Birkhoff. Read more in our interview. …
Are You in a Relationship With a Narcissist? Signs & What to Do
A relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies can be hurtful, confusing, and hard to leave. Here are their common patterns and how to get out.…
Why Jealousy Isn’t Always a Bad Thing & How to Harness It
People associate jealousy with insecurity and possessiveness. But what if you could harness it to learn more about yourself and improve your relationships?…
5 Takeaways from All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir All the Way to the River: Love, Loss and Liberation details what happens if you stop running from yourself.…
Personal Stories
View all Personal Stories →Expert Insights
Why Jealousy Isn’t Always a Bad Thing & How to Harness It
People associate jealousy with insecurity and possessiveness. But what if you could harness it to learn more about yourself and improve your relationships?…
Is Purity Culture Negatively Impacting Your Sex Life?
Growing up, purity culture wasn’t just a belief system. It was the air I breathed. But as I grew older, I began to question what I had been taught about sex.…
How to Talk About Sex with a Partner: Before, During, and After
Sharing vulnerable emotions during sex may feel risky, but taking these risks together is exactly what can increase sexual desire and intimacy.…
How to Find Your Chosen Family: Q&A with Dawn O. Braithwaite
Dr. Dawn O. Braithwaite talks about the concept of chosen family, what makes one, where to find yours, and why it’s important to use your language carefully.…
How Painful Sex from Vaginismus Is Connected to Anxiety and People Pleasing
Researchers are digging deeper into the causes and treatments of painful sex in women. Mental health, culture, and relationship well-being can all play a role.…
How to Break the Cycle of Generational Trauma: Expert Q&A
You can short-circuit generational trauma so it doesn’t run your life or pass on to your kids, but it requires a lot of courage, self-reflection, and work.…
Opinions
10 Principles of Emotional Responsibility I’m Teaching My Kids
When one person blames another for their own feelings or behavior, it’s unjust and can lead to conflict. Here’s how I teach my kids how to “stay in your lane.”…
Why Making “Willing Sacrifices” in a Relationship Is Essential
Healthy relationships involve compromise. Relationship therapist Erin Davidson outlines how to compromise without fueling resentment. …
You’re Not Responsible for Your Partner’s Sexual Satisfaction
The only desire you’re responsible for is your own. Sex therapist Erin Davidson explains how to cope with a libido discrepancy.…
Relationship News
Reading Literary Fiction May Make You More Emotionally Intelligent
But popular fiction may not have the same benefits.…
Your Co-Parent’s Bad Boss May Impact You More Than You Think
A study found a person’s feelings about their boss seemed to have a major knock-on effect on their co-parent, affecting their performance at work and with the kids.…
When Looking Fancy Might Not Be Favorable
New research reveals that people may choose to avoid wearing luxury brands when they want to convince others they can collaborate well on a team.…
Colleagues May Want Your Feedback More Than You Think
People want constructive feedback, but, curiously, they underestimate just how much other people want it, too, according to research.…
Research-Backed Advice
What Are Your Love Languages? & What the Research Says
Chapman’s theory of love languages isn’t backed by research, but it may still help relationships as a tool to express how we want to love and be loved.…
Are You in a Relationship With a Narcissist? Signs & What to Do
A relationship with someone who has narcissistic tendencies can be hurtful, confusing, and hard to leave. Here are their common patterns and how to get out.…
Alloparenting Benefits, How to Do It, and FAQs
Having a community as a family can positively affect child development. When parents have the support of alloparents, it lessens their caregiving burden.…
How to Heal From A Toxic Relationship & 7 Signs You’re in One
After a toxic partnership, you might still experience fear, distrust, or self-doubt. But building a healthy relationship with the right person is possible.…
Codependency in Relationships: Meaning, Signs, Stages, and More
Codependency in relationships feels like you’re lose yourself serving the needs of others. It’s incredibly common, but can be hard to detect when you’re in it.…
5 Signs of a Backhanded Compliment and How to Respond
A backhanded compliment can include a comparison to a negative standard, false positivity, and not-so-kind intentions. It can leave you feeling bad or weird.…
What Is Breadcrumbing? 10 Signs It’s Happening to You
Being breadcrumbed isn’t just a waste of your time. It can lead to real mental health issues. If you see these signs, it may be time to walk away.…
4 Tips for Staying Emotionally Connected in a Long-Distance Relationship
Learning how to stay emotionally connected in a long-distance relationship is key to making it work. We also share advice on how to create intimacy from afar.…
Don’t Ghost: Here’s a Better Way to End It With Someone
When you ghost instead of breaking up with someone directly, you might do it to spare the other’s feelings. But there are long-term rewards for not ghosting.…
24 Gay-Friendly First Date Ideas for a Safe, Fun Time
Safety is key in queer dating, but drinking doesn’t have to be. Choosing a shared activity can help you make a genuine connection while keeping things playful.…
Books
5 Takeaways from All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir All the Way to the River: Love, Loss and Liberation details what happens if you stop running from yourself.…
14 Best Lesbian Romance Novels: Literary, Genre, and Steamy
We’ve scoured the internet and our friends’ brains for the best lesbian romance novels in literary and genre fiction that are actually worth the read.…
7 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels
Discover the steamiest historical romance novels that blend rich historical detail with sweeping love stories. Check out our curated list.…
Shopping
29 Super-Fun Family Board Games to Pull Out Over the Holidays
Family board games are a recipe for fun — and a welcome alternative to screens. Our favorites are immersive, action-packed, and/or hilarious for everyone.…
The Best Online Couples Therapy of 2025
Couple’s therapy can help you find a way forward with your partner when issues feel insurmountable. And online therapy can be just as effective as in-person.…
Best Beginner Dildo: 10 Options for Newbies + Other Fun Toys
Looking for the best beginner dildos for beginners? We’ve found the best 10. Our experts give you ideas on how to pick sex toys, how to use them and how to clean them.…
14 Board Games for Couples: Game Night, Travel, Spicy, & More
Board games are a way to bring fun back into your quality time with your partner. They’re like fun-containing supplements you can take when you’re running low.…
10 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Candy Lovers
Discover unique gifts for candy lovers, from luxury treats to subscription boxes to candy-related ideas sure to delight!…
Sexy Valentine’s Day Gifts: 10 Spicy Ideas
Explore sexy Valentine’s Day gifts to boost happiness and intimacy. Find unique ideas like X-rated coloring books and boudoir photo albums.…
Basics
What Is Narcissism? Signs, Examples, & Causes
In pop culture, “narcissist” means someone who’s insensitive, entitled, and arrogant. But in some people, narcissism is actually a diagnosable personality disorder.…
What Is Emotional Abuse? Signs, Examples, & How to Respond
Emotional abuse is when one person purposely frightens or humiliates another in an effort to control, isolate, or punish them. It can be hard to detect.…
What Is Fight-or-Flight? & How to Get Out of It
Fight-or-flight is a sudden, whole-body state of fear, vigilance, or readiness people experience when they perceive a threat or have traumatic memories.…
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