Life stories

My year of modesty

I swore off makeup and covered my hair, arms and legs for nine months. It was frightening -- and liberating

Lauren Shields Tuesday, Jul 2, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 127
Life Life stories, Body Wars, Feminism

Mind control summer camp

Mom wanted me to learn about positive thinking. But I got a timeless lesson in the thrill of self-help fads

Suzanne Clores Monday, Jun 24, 2013 10:45 PM UTC 33
Life Real Families, Life stories

He kills me every night

I was 5 when I saw my mother stabbed by her boyfriend. I don't know how I'll ever be close to a man again

Tamara Lynch Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 11:59 PM UTC 62
Life Love and Sex, dating, PTSD, grief

Grandpa is a criminal

My father served his time. But what kind of a relationship should he have with my daughters?

Marc Peyser Sunday, Jun 16, 2013 12:00 PM UTC 16
Life Real Families, Life stories

Cartoons with my dad

It took nearly half a century, but I finally figured out the perfect way to communicate with my 80-year-old father SLIDE SHOW

Brian Frazer Saturday, Jun 15, 2013 10:00 PM UTC
Life slideshow, Real Families

My little future iPad addicts

This new generation masters screen-swiping years before butt-wiping. So why am I still insisting on rules?

Jackie Ashton Friday, Jun 14, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 18
Technology Real Families, Internet Culture

Never tell anyone what I just did

My ex and I were having the perfect weekend fling -- until one small mistake left me stranded in my underwear

Dominic Holden Tuesday, Jun 11, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 29
Life Life stories, Love and Sex

My boyfriend, the sex addict

I never believed in that diagnosis -- until I dated Jack, and saw what it was like to be powerless to your desires

Laura Barcella Monday, Jun 10, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 53
Life Love and Sex, Coupling

White pride in my classroom

He made me uncomfortable and challenged my worldview. But the biggest surprise: I ended up liking him

Ben Warner Wednesday, Jun 5, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 413
Life Life stories, Education, Racism

Mommy’s got a potty mouth

I've always been a fan of cussing -- until my children began imitating me. Do I have to give up my guilty pleasure?

Nicole C. Kear Monday, Jun 3, 2013 12:30 AM UTC 46
Life Real Families, Motherhood

The proposal that ended a friendship

Jeff and I thought we'd found the perfect couple friends -- until one of them made an offer that changed everything

Marilyn Friedman Wednesday, May 29, 2013 11:30 PM UTC 206
Life Love and Sex, Life stories

Sex in a hospital bed

After my husband's traumatic brain injury, we were forced to find an intimacy we'd never known

S. E. Cannon Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:00 PM UTC 46
Life Love and Sex, Real Families

Waking up nearly blind

I panicked at first, but with time, my vision impairment allowed me to see things more clearly than ever before

Lillian Rubin Tuesday, May 28, 2013 11:45 AM UTC
Life Life stories, Aging, blindness

Breast-feeding is hell

I don't care what the lactation consultants and baby books say. Trying to nurse my child was an exercise in failure

Dawn Dais Monday, May 27, 2013 1:00 AM UTC 74
Life New Mom Confessions

How I ended up in a pyramid scheme

I was broke and desperate enough to try anything -- like praying with Sufis and selling miracle chocolate

Kirsten Telander Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 28
Life Life stories, Religion, Recession

When my home was destroyed

Six months ago, my life was torn apart by Hurricane Sandy. Here's what I want the survivors of Oklahoma to know

Cynthia Ramnarace Tuesday, May 21, 2013 6:22 PM UTC
Life Oklahoma tornado, Life stories

My miscarriages made me question being pro-choice

I was devastated when I lost my pregnancies, and I wondered: Does grieving this way mean abortion is wrong?

JJ Keith Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 44
Life Abortion, Life stories

I’m terrified of the cicada onslaught

The coming swarm of beady-eyed creatures has me paralyzed with fear -- and revisiting the terror of an abusive past

Laura Bogart Monday, May 20, 2013 11:45 PM UTC 27
Life Cicadas, Editor's Picks

My open relationship went awry

Sophia wanted to experiment, so I tried to be game. But it ended badly, with a twist I never saw coming

David Farley Monday, May 20, 2013 12:00 AM UTC 95
Life Love and Sex, Life stories

My crushing student debt

I didn't think twice about taking out a five-figure loan. Then I graduated with no money -- and no job prospects

Ken Ilgunas Saturday, May 18, 2013 11:00 PM UTC 157
Life Life stories, College, University

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