Life Advice
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Single File: Be Good to Yourself
I just happen to be reading my own book (titled "Single File," for those of you who haven't done the same) and find myself lingering at the section "Be good to Yourself." This is an issue dear to my heart because to this day, the stereotype lingers of the unmarried as utterly selfish and navel-watching. To be sure, there's much unraveling of ...Read more

Ask Dating Coach Erika: Questions about ghosting, goals
Today, let’s look at two different questions from two different clients. As always, if one person asks, I can only assume it is applicable to a larger audience. And, interestingly enough, you’ll see that these questions are applicable to any gender and any age.
Question:
I am convinced that online dating is haunted, based upon my ...Read more

Ask Anna: Hookup culture burnout and unavailable crush cycles: Pride edition
Dear Anna,
I'm a 38-year-old gay man living in a midsize city, and I'm completely exhausted by the dating scene here. It feels like every guy I meet on the apps is only interested in hooking up, and when I suggest actually going on a date or getting to know each other first, they either ghost me or tell me I'm "too serious." I've tried being ...Read more

Date like a 'Love Islander': Tips from a casting event
ATLANTA -- “Love Island USA’s” Pop-Up Villa stopped by Atlanta’s Park Tavern recently, and whether you’re entering your dating era or you’re just a fan of the popular show, the free event offered more than a chance to audition.
We spoke with casting director Jodi Thomas to get her thoughts on dating trends, red flags and what really...Read more

Asking Eric: Joint family birthday party puts burden on one side only
Dear Eric: My son will soon be turning 13, as will my niece. They were born a week apart. I usually host a family pool party for my son's birthday, but my brother and his wife do not arrange a family party for their daughter. (They also have a nice yard with a pool.).
Instead, they have a party for her and her friends without inviting family. ...Read more
Tension at the Lake House
Dear Annie: Every summer, my husband "Jake" and I spend a week at his parents' lake house in Wisconsin. It's a beautiful spot -- right on the water, with pine trees, hummingbirds and a little dock where Jake used to fish as a kid. When we first started dating, I actually looked forward to these trips. I imagined quiet mornings with coffee by ...Read more

Asking Eric: Religious leader’s speaking obscures message
Dear Eric: The president of my religious institution is, in my view, a fine leader and a rotten speaker.
I have participated in a number of meetings he has led and am driven crazy by the number of instances of "you know," "kind of" and asking "right?" in the middle of a statement. His speech is riddled with these. In the most recent gathering, ...Read more
Distance and Red Flags
Dear Annie: My younger sister and I used to be incredibly close. We talked every day, shared everything and supported each other through some of the hardest times in our lives, including the loss of our mom. But over the past two years, she has pulled away, and I feel like I do not even know her anymore.
It started when she began dating her ...Read more

Asking Eric: In-law’s handmade gift caused years-long rift
Dear Eric: My sister-in-law made quilts for two of her nieces. They unwrapped them to oohs, aahs and applause on Christmas Eve at my house. My daughter did not receive a gift. I sent a polite email to sister-in-law explaining that my daughter was disappointed. I received a snail mail reply that included a gift certificate and a note. Sister-in-...Read more
Sanity Over Silence
Dear Annie: I've been in a long marriage. In the early years, we had happy times, but things have changed. For a while now, I've been enduring emotional, psychological and verbal abuse from my husband. He often makes humiliating comments about me in front of others. When I try to call him out, he says I'm too sensitive or claims he was just ...Read more
Millennial Life: In a Village with Two Houses, Be the Right House
There once was a village with two houses.
The first house always kept an extra chair at the table. Not for anyone in particular, just in case. A neighbor, a traveler, a soul in need of soup. None of the chairs were especially decorative; they all had a place at the table's edge. And if someone new sat in one or the other, the host never asked ...Read more

Asking Eric: Brother’s drunken phone calls have become a burden
Dear Eric: My younger brother "Mick" has been a heavy beer drinker for at least three decades with a high-stress career.
When he retired, his drinking escalated. He received a DUI which resulted in court-ordered mandatory visits at a local AA meeting for one year. The court also had a blow-and-go breathalyzer installed in his truck for three ...Read more
Outside Looking In
Dear Annie: I have always felt like the odd one out in my family. I love them deeply, but I cannot ignore the quiet, persistent feeling that I do not quite belong. My two younger brothers, "Tom" and "Michael," are close with each other and with our parents, especially our mom. They talk every day, go on trips together and always seem to be in ...Read more

Asking Eric: New friend seems uncomfortable about introducing his partner
Dear Eric: I'm a happily married woman who talks to a gay guy that frequently walks in my neighborhood. We have so much in common. I recently gave him some plants from my garden, and we've texted a bit. Simply put, I enjoy his company. He seems receptive to starting a friendship with me. He said I could stop by his house sometime to chat. I ...Read more
Is It Love Again or Just Grief?
Dear Annie: I might be in love with my sister-in-law. Or to put it more accurately, I think I might be in love with my deceased wife's sister. I'm not sure if we're still truly in-laws anymore.
My wife died in a car accident three years ago. Our son was only 11 months old, so he won't remember his mother. My in-laws (both of her parents) and ...Read more

Asking Eric: Coworker’s body hair causes workplace distraction
Dear Eric: My coworker has been wearing sleeveless summer tops and dresses recently. She looks so cute in all of her outfits. Although her daily wear slams, it is her hairy armpits that causes everyone in the workplace to cringe. The armpit hair is not straight. It is short and kinky which is a turn off to me.
Her job description calls for her ...Read more
When a Good Relationship Still Doesn't Feel Right
Dear Annie: I'm 28 and have been dating my boyfriend, "Marcus," for a little over a year. He's kind, funny, responsible -- and everyone in my life seems to adore him. The problem is, I don't think I'm in love with him.
I've been trying to figure out if it's just a rough patch or if I'm forcing something that's not there. There's no big issue;...Read more
Ask Anna: How to support your nonbinary partner while processing your own feelings
Dear Anna,
I've been with my partner for two-and-a-half years, and six months ago they came out to me as nonbinary. I want to be clear that I love them deeply and I'm so proud of them for sharing this with me — I know it took courage. They've asked me to use they/them pronouns, which I'm working on (though I still slip up sometimes), and they...Read more

Asking Eric: Affair ruined a friend group, now cheater wants back in
Dear Eric: My hubby and I are in our late 60s. Starting in our 30s, we had a large group of friends, with whom we spent many fun weekends together. It was so much fun, and we all treasure those days. All wonderful people, or so we thought.
A few years ago, it came out that one of our dearest friends had an affair with another dear friend’s ...Read more
New Roles, New Rifts
Dear Annie: I have a co-worker, "Jenna," who I also considered a close friend -- until recently. We've worked together for five years, and we used to grab lunch, text outside of work, even double date with our spouses. A few months ago, she got promoted to a management role in our department. I was happy for her -- truly. But since then, ...Read more
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