Recording a festive episode of our new podcast this week, Martin is telling me that he finds it hard to give gifts without worrying he will disappoint the recipient. I tell him it's a reflection of his doubt about himself and that sometimes, being aware of a vulnerability, helps us to cope … [Read more...] about How To Value What You Have
Relationships
Why Making A Mess Of Things Is A Sign Of Progress
My daughter has been having relationship problems recently culminating in a painful breakup which isn’t quite a breakup. “I think he’s afraid of getting hurt somewhere down the line, so he’s trying to minimise it by breaking up now” she says. I’ve heard many similar excuses for bewildering … [Read more...] about Why Making A Mess Of Things Is A Sign Of Progress
How To Take Up Space
I’m in London to have my eye checked and early for my appointment deliberately so that I have time to take the walk along the Thames between Embankment and Borough Market, buy coffee and cheese, then walk back along the river to Westminster. It’s half term and there are countless parents pointing … [Read more...] about How To Take Up Space
How To Do What You Don’t Want To Do
When I was a kid I was, for a time, a member of the Young Ornithologists Club, essentially a birdwatching society for children who got bullied in the playground. Recalling it during a conversation with my sister I tell her, “I used to go to meetings run by a woman called Mrs. Bird (true) on a … [Read more...] about How To Do What You Don’t Want To Do
How To Be Understood
When I’m out with my sister walking the dogs our conversation invariably turns to childhood. This week, for reasons I can’t recall, we were talking about desserts. “I don’t remember mum making many desserts,” I said. “Apart from the chocolate sponge with chocolate sauce.” My sister was … [Read more...] about How To Be Understood