Julie was smart and competent, yet her less qualified colleagues surpassed her. Imposter syndrome held her back

By not seeking promotion, Julie never risked failure. Viewing her chronic self-doubt as a defence mechanism helped her challenge it

A moment that changed me: on the day of my first book deal, a mysterious hum overcame me

When the noise started, I entered a state of perpetual panic and despair. It was unstoppable. Then, in the snows of Transylvania, I suddenly came to terms with the sound …

I’m a perinatal psychiatrist. The US is promoting misinformation on SSRIs and pregnancy

A recent FDA advisory panel discussion contained falsehoods and overstated risks. That’s dangerous for mothers-to-be

‘They ate my ex’s furniture!’: people on their drastic divorce decisions, from training huskies to getting plastic surgery

Whether it’s quitting a job and hitting the road, selling precious gems or jumping out of a plane, the agony of a breakup can spark huge changes – for better or worse …

Naomi Stadlen obituary

Psychotherapist and author who focused on the communication of mothers with their babies

A moment that changed me: I clapped my hands and hit the brakes on years of depression

I was stuck in a job that made me miserable – then my friend suggested I go to a yoga class. When we played a kids’ game, the dark clouds parted and my life took a radical turn

‘Women have more power than they think’: self-help superstar Mel Robbins on success, survival and silencing her critics

The lawyer turned motivational speaker fills arenas with her promise that you can always turn things around – even if her ideas aren’t exactly new. What is it about her that makes people listen?

Drowning in admin? 14 productivity hacks to regain control of your diary, inbox – and life

No one knows more about admin than administrators. They share their top tips, from ‘eating the frog’ to drawing up a ‘ta-da’ list

No, age isn’t just a number – and the sooner we realise that, the happier we will be

It’s tempting to want to stay young for ever. But each new life stage brings gains as well as losses

I do not need a £100 hairbrush. So why have I spent so long fantasising about one?

I think it’s my way of avoiding my feelings – and that whatever they are, I’d be better off facing up to them

‘Life is brutal. Running helps’: the 17-year-old who faced despair – and ran the length of Britain

Marcus Skeet has dealt with a lot: diabetes, anxiety, depression, OCD and the pressures of being a young carer. A few years ago, he reached his lowest point. Then he began working towards an extraordinary goal

Terrible things happen in life – but it is possible to recover from them

We go to all sorts of lengths, often unconsciously, to hide from what has hurt us. But only by attuning to pain can we hope to heal

The one change that worked: I stood up to my inner critic and I’ve never looked back

In my teenage years I had an eating disorder and a voice in my head criticised everything I did. But then I took control

A moment that changed me: I went to a death cafe – and learned how to live a much happier life

I felt peace flood over me as I realised I no longer needed to seek validation from others. Rather than saying yes to everything, I became more open, present and patient

The one change that worked: meditation cured my insomnia – and transformed my relationships

The practice that helped me to sleep also gave me the clarity to end my marriage, and to begin dating again