I’ve come to a moment in my life I never expected; I’m contemplating starting a relationship, not out of love or passion, but out of fear – fear of the future. I always thought I’d be above such reasoning. But witnessing illness up close, seeing the care my father received from his wife and us … Read more
The first bluebells are out along the Dart gorge, creating a faint purple haze under the twisted oak trees. I’m on my way to Luckey Tor, one of Dartmoor’s most hidden rock stacks, which sits by the river, shrouded in vegetation like Sleeping Beauty’s castle. It’s not the easiest of walks. The path peters out … Read more
Looking back to 2022, it seems impossible that anyone ever believed that Brian “Liver King” Johnson achieved his physique without pharmaceutical assistance. He looks like a hot water bottle stuffed with bowling balls, an 80s action figure with more veins – an improbably muscular man who put his bodybuilder-shaming physique down to a diet of … Read more
The prosecution: Tim It’s gross – I wouldn’t use her toothbrush, so why would I use her earphones? I’ve been going out with my girlfriend, Lila, for three years. We obviously know each other intimately, but I just can’t get on board with sharing earphones. There’s something so gross about it. I hate cleaning off someone else’s earwax … Read more
Creatine has long been popular among athletes. Olympians tout it, fitness influencers experiment with it, and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s gym bro character in The White Lotus added it to his famous shake. It’s primarily considered a fitness supplement, but doctors are increasingly curious about its potential longevity and mental health benefits. But is creatine really useful, … Read more
In 2003, I was at a dinner of “the like-minded” (Oxford University code for gay) when an academic leaving for a sabbatical in New York asked a favour: would I take over his slot as a volunteer reader for a gay blind man living alone in east Oxford? I agreed, and so one evening in … Read more
The other day, a visiting friend and I planned a trip to the seaside. I was taking her on the scenic route to the station, ambling happily along, when she pointed out: we might miss our train. We made it with seconds to spare. My friend was very understanding, but it was a wake-up call. … Read more
There are two types of people on any UK hiking trail: those wearing walking boots, and those who have yet to experience the unmistakable sensation of cowpat seeping through their trainers. I belong in the first camp and firmly believe that the great outdoors is best enjoyed in appropriate footwear. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. … Read more
If you want to make a single person angry, ask them about dating apps. Chances are they’ve tried using them at least once – just under 5 million adults in the UK visited an online dating service in May 2024, according to Ofcom’s Online Nation report – and will have a diatribe ready to go. … Read more
Name: The 52-hour work week. Age: Relatively new – our hunter-gatherer ancestors probably only worked for 15 hours a week. Appearance: Frazzled. How much is a 52-hour week, exactly? It works out to 10.4 hours a day, five days a week. Mad. And stupid. You’d have to be, right? A new study suggests those working … Read more