Pravina Rudra

The author explains why she has largely stopped cooking and now relies on supermarket ready meals. She argues that modern ready meals can be reasonably nutritious, cost only slightly more than cooking from scratch, reduce food waste, and save hours spent shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Giving up cooking has improved her mood, sleep, and social life, challenging the idea that homemade food is inherently healthier or that cooking is essential to adulthood. She cites British Medical Journal research suggesting some celebrity-chef recipes are less healthy than supermarket ready meals and concludes that the time saved is more valuable than the modest extra cost.

The piece argues that Dua Lipa's highly curated but seemingly relatable social-media presence makes extraordinary success appear ordinary, leaving young women dissatisfied with their own lives. It links this effect to broader evidence of declining wellbeing among British teenagers, especially girls, and to research associating social-media comparison with poor mental health. The article is particularly critical of Lipa's advocacy of manifestation, suggesting that magical-thinking beliefs encourage unrealistic expectations, risky financial behavior and self-blame when success does not materialize. It concludes that smartphones have brought celebrity lifestyles into everyday life, turning ordinary circumstances into apparent failure.

A critique of the heavy concentration of Oxford and Cambridge graduates, particularly PPE degree holders, in Andy Burnham’s Cabinet and British public life, arguing that elite academic backgrounds do not equate to the competence needed to govern effectively. The author recounts personal experience with preferential treatment linked to an Oxbridge degree and highlights how admissions processes and degree content do little to prepare graduates for real-world leadership. The piece contends that good governance requires judgement, experience and emotional intelligence rather than academic prestige, urging a shift away from equating elite degrees with capability.

Pravina Rudra argues against single-sex education, drawing on her experience at an all-girls grammar school in Essex. She says the environment intensified crushes, body-image pressures, bullying and anxiety around boys, while moving to a mixed sixth form made her more confident and better able to socialize and participate academically. As more traditionally single-sex schools adopt co-education, she argues that mixed schools better prepare young people for workplaces and relationships, challenge online gender stereotypes and avoid the social distortions created by segregation. She also disputes claims that girls achieve better results in single-sex schools, citing research suggesting most of the advantage disappears after accounting for selectivity and socioeconomic factors.

A 32-year-old writer argues that middle age increasingly looks more appealing than youth. Despite fears of declining wellbeing, middle-aged people retain access to travel, nightlife, dating and personal freedom while facing less economic precarity, social pressure and uncertainty. Generational challenges including unaffordable housing, repeated economic shocks, mental-health pressures and AI-driven job risks have made young adulthood especially difficult. Research suggesting that the midlife happiness slump is weaker than previously believed, along with evidence that older people are more resilient and satisfied with their choices, leads to an optimistic conclusion: ageing may represent expanding opportunity rather than narrowing possibilities.

Pravina Rudra explains that she has employed the same cleaner, Maria, since moving to London at age 21. Although she initially felt embarrassed and guilty about hiring an immigrant woman to clean her home—particularly amid criticism of domestic help as classist or anti-feminist—she argues that paying for cleaning is a legitimate use of money and can benefit both parties. Maria has helped organize Rudra’s chaotic home, offered candid advice and become a close, almost familial presence. As Rudra has become tidier, the arrangement has shifted from weekly to fortnightly, and she no longer feels ashamed of outsourcing a task she struggles with.

After initially warning her new flatmate Laura that she wanted emotional distance and strict boundaries, the writer gradually accepts Laura’s warmth, curiosity and offers of help. Their friendship develops into a source of companionship, trust and shared cultural exchange, making household discussions easier and revealing that the writer had been lonelier than she realised.

Women are increasingly hesitant or opposed to having children because they understand the physical, career and economic costs of motherhood, while many men remain overly idealistic about parenthood and fail to anticipate the practical workload. Polling cited from The New Statesman shows that young women are more likely than young men to say they do not want children, amid Britain’s declining fertility rate. Personal accounts suggest that even involved fathers often do not become equal or default caregivers, leaving women to manage childcare and household responsibilities. The piece argues that improving men’s role as genuine co-parents would be more effective than pressuring women to address their fertility.

Pret A Manger’s signature jambon beurre sandwich has disappeared from many UK stores because of a temporary cornichon shortage and unspecified supplier issues. The shortage has frustrated commuters who regard the sandwich as a dependable, distinctive Pret staple. The piece questions why cornichons remain available elsewhere and speculates that wider energy, fertilizer and geopolitical pressures may be contributing to the problem, while urging Pret to restore the sandwich quickly.

Pravina Rudra describes her frustration with men who casually claim they may have ADHD or call themselves “neurospicy” on dates without a formal diagnosis. She argues that slang and self-diagnosis can minimise the seriousness of ADHD, excuse poor behaviour and obscure the condition’s real effects on daily life. Drawing on her own diagnosis and experiences with lateness, missed deadlines and difficulties with focus, she says ADHD is personal and should not be treated as a flirtatious dating-app label.

American media and audiences are increasingly critical of Meghan Markle, including liberal outlets that once supported her. The piece attributes the shift to reported tensions between Netflix and the Sussexes, excess As Ever products, declining YouGov approval ratings, and growing public fatigue with Meghan's highly curated lifestyle content and motivational language. It argues that Americans initially sympathised with Meghan because of the racism she experienced in Britain, but are now judging her more independently and noticing what the author sees as contradictions between her calls for privacy and her extensive media and brand-building activities.

A 31-year-old woman argues that going on frequent dates is not desperate, insecure or incompatible with being happy while single. She challenges the romantic ideal that partners should be found by chance and notes the gendered double standard whereby men’s active dating is seen as decisive while women’s is judged harshly. Drawing on her own experience, she says dating more increases the number of compatible people she meets, although she acknowledges that excessive dating can be draining and sometimes requires breaks.

Poorly trained or unqualified therapists, social-media influencers and ChatGPT are argued to be popularising a self-focused form of pseudo-psychology dubbed “emotional Thatcherism.” The piece claims that concepts such as boundaries, self-care, toxicity and trauma are increasingly misapplied to validate people’s behaviour, encourage estrangement and avoid accountability. It contrasts this with effective therapy, which should challenge clients, question one-sided narratives and make them more responsible for their actions.

Pravina Rudra reflects on experiencing aspects of adolescence in her thirties, including dating, festivals, travel, tattoos and other forms of experimentation. She attributes this delayed coming-of-age to a conservative upbringing, undiagnosed ADHD, career pressures and the disruption caused by Covid. The article argues that changing economic conditions and declining pressure to marry young have allowed more people to question traditional timelines and pursue happiness on their own terms. Rather than viewing this behavior as lazy or hedonistic, Rudra sees it as purposeful self-discovery, while acknowledging the financial and physical costs of entering these experiences later in life.

Bonnie Blue’s extreme sexual-content stunts should not be understood as an expression of feminism, argues Pravina Rudra. Although Blue frames her work as female control and commentators link her to sex-positive feminism, her content is characterized as degrading, oriented toward the male gaze and indifferent to its influence on young women. The article argues that her primary motivation is profit: she reportedly earns £1.5 million a month, seeks £5 million, and treats sexual encounters as branded content and advertising. Blue is therefore presented not as the culmination of feminist liberation, but as an example of capitalism turning sexuality, outrage and even the body itself into sources of revenue.

The author reflects on how overcoming her tendency to reject potential dates over minor imperfections has improved both her dating life and her broader interactions. She recognizes that assumptions about attractive, stylish, emotionally articulate, younger or overtly virtuous men often reflected her own prejudices and insecurities. By remaining curious, warm and willing to continue conversations, she has discovered unexpected depth and kindness in people she might previously have dismissed. She argues that online dating encourages snap judgments based on limited visual and textual cues, whereas giving people more time can reveal a world full of thoughtful, interesting and genuinely nice people.

Pro-Palestinian activism in the UK is criticized as performative when it involves protests and social-media campaigns, yet condemned as reckless when activists take direct action. The piece argues that demonstrations, boycotts and other campaigns are proportionate responses to the destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, especially given the UK government's limited sanctions and continued arms and financial ties with Israel. It also acknowledges the reality of antisemitism, including support for or minimization of Hamas's 7 October atrocities, but argues that accusations of antisemitism should not be used to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel or advocacy for Palestinian statehood.

The essay argues that Sabrina Carpenter, Blake Lively and Sydney Sweeney attract disproportionate criticism or fascination because they embody conventional blonde, white beauty. It compares backlash against Carpenter’s sexualized album cover and Lively’s legal dispute with the relative tolerance shown to male or less conventionally attractive figures, while examining how conservatives may idealize blonde women and progressives may dismiss them as privileged or unintelligent. The deeper target, it concludes, is society’s unresolved insecurity about beauty standards, sexism and the political meanings attached to attractive women.

Pravina Rudra describes how her preference for subtle, deadpan humour regularly causes misunderstandings at work, socially and while dating. Examples include jokes about taking LSD, saving the London Eye, sexism, gender and having a child, which others often interpret literally or as offensive views. Although she enjoys the contrast between her bubbly personality and dry humour, she concludes that refusing to make jokes more obvious leaves her risking her professional credibility, friendships and romantic prospects.

Returning to Rio Carnival alone proves more rewarding than disappointing for the writer. Although the trip is expensive and the spontaneity of the first visit cannot be recreated, familiarity brings greater confidence and allows her to discover new areas, reconnect with friends and appreciate the city’s street parties, food, music and welcoming atmosphere. Highlights include Santa Teresa’s blocos, the Sambadrome, Ipanema beach and a dramatic football match at the Maracanã, leaving her more deeply connected to Rio and its culture.

The writer argues that millennials and Gen Z may build stronger marriages than previous generations because they have witnessed divorce, are more cautious about commitment, live together before settling down, discuss expectations openly and place greater emphasis on equality. Drawing on Sue Johnson’s work on emotional security and Emotionally Focused Therapy, the piece contends that relationship breakdown has identifiable causes and can often be addressed before it becomes irreversible. It suggests that the experience of unhappy or unequal parental marriages may make younger adults more thoughtful about emotional and domestic labour, while declining UK divorce rates offer grounds for optimism. Long-term relationships are also being reshaped through same-sex partnerships, civil unions and consensual non-monogamy.

The writer admits judging younger women who date older men, despite believing women should have agency in choosing their partners. She argues that these relationships can reflect unequal life experience, power and finances, and notes that older male partners may leave women facing longer periods alone in retirement. Although she acknowledges that age-gap couples can experience genuine love and happiness, she believes younger women may have better prospects with partners closer to their own age. The acceptance of older women dating younger men, she argues, reflects a gendered double standard rooted in cultural discomfort with ageing women.

The author argues that Western culture’s emphasis on self-reliance, self-care and individual achievement has contributed to loneliness and weakened communal bonds. Drawing on research ranking Britain poorly for personal wellbeing, she describes finding a sense of belonging through tag rugby, music communities and welcoming social events. She suggests that fitness groups such as CrossFit function like modern secular congregations by providing shared rituals, norms and social connection, and concludes that belonging to a community can expand rather than restrict people’s lives.

British identity is often expressed less through overt patriotism than through self-deprecating humour, understatement and subtle shared social habits. The piece argues that Britain’s tolerance and cultural richness can be appreciated without ignoring the empire, slavery and colonial policies that shaped its history. It rejects both aggressive nationalist rhetoric and sweeping claims that Britain is uniquely racist, presenting a quieter, more self-aware patriotism as a distinctly British form of national pride.

Pravina Rudra argues that attempts to portray religion as feminist often rely on lowering expectations, reinterpreting scriptures, or selectively highlighting progressive elements. Drawing on Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and the policing of the hijab under the Taliban, she contends that religious traditions repeatedly subordinate women and associate them with impurity or sin. Although feminist reinterpretations can provide community and comfort, she concludes that abandoning religion can be more liberating than trying to reform systems built on patriarchal foundations.

A large study covering 2.3 million people across 60 societies found that people from higher economic classes were more likely to donate, volunteer and behave kindly. The article argues that poverty is often romanticized as morally elevating, but economic insecurity can reduce time, energy, empathy and generosity. It links higher generosity in Nordic countries to financial security and strong social safety nets, while noting that wealthy people may be especially charitable when their actions are visible and performative. The author distinguishes absolute kindness from relative generosity and concludes that extreme wealth remains troubling because affluent individuals and corporations have the resources to help society but can instead worsen inequality, exploit workers or harm vulnerable people.

Online comedy frequently caricatures mothers as loud, emotional and overinvolved while portraying fathers as detached and largely absent from parody. The piece argues that mocking mums feels socially safe because mothers are seen as emotionally excessive yet fundamentally loving, exposing a subtle double standard: women are judged both for caring too much and for not caring enough. Mumsnet’s reputation illustrates how mothers’ efforts to seek advice and support can be turned into cultural ridicule, despite the disproportionate share of childcare they provide. The author concludes that a mother’s overprotectiveness or emotional intensity is preferable to indifference and should not be treated as inherently laughable.

After going on 50 first dates without progressing beyond a third date, the author explored her tendency to experience the “ick”—intense aversion to minor behaviors—as a form of self-protection in therapy. She argues that such reactions can reflect fear of choosing the wrong partner rather than genuine incompatibility, and that mindfulness and allowing relationships time to develop can reduce them. While some reactions, such as rudeness toward service workers, may be meaningful warning signs, she concludes that many supposedly irrevocable icks are temporary judgments that can be overcome.

Mark Field’s revelations about his 18-month affair with Liz Truss are used to expose the double standards faced by women in politics. The column argues that a female politician would risk severe damage to her career by writing openly about an affair, while male politicians have often retained their reputations despite infidelity and sexist behavior. It contrasts the treatment of Edwina Currie with that of John Major and cites examples involving Boris Johnson, Angela Rayner, Nadine Dorries and Matt Hancock. Although Truss’s premiership caused serious economic damage, the column argues that her past affair should not be used to undermine her when male politicians are rarely judged by the same standard.

Dating is difficult and technology has intensified problems such as ghosting, impersonal interactions and repeated rejection, but negative portrayals can exaggerate how bad modern dating is. The writer argues that social media disproportionately highlights absurd or unsafe encounters while hiding enjoyable or ordinary dates, and that approaching dating with less cynicism and more realistic expectations can improve the experience. Although women face serious challenges, men also experience loneliness, rejection and emotional pain. Despite the complications of having more choice than previous generations, the writer prefers modern dating to the restrictions and lack of romantic choice associated with arranged marriages.

Big Tech companies and executives are portrayed as increasingly aligning themselves with Donald Trump, donating to his inauguration and reversing DEI, fact-checking and other policies. The piece argues that Trump’s deregulation of AI and hostility toward safeguards could weaken the United States’ role in controlling technology companies, with consequences for privacy, misinformation, self-harm content and election interference. Elon Musk’s possible takeover of OpenAI is presented as an especially serious risk because of the company’s scale and influence. The broader conclusion is that a growing tech-industrial complex may concentrate power in the hands of technology leaders and the Trump administration at the expense of the public.

British public support for reinstating the death penalty rises after horrific crimes, but the article argues that this reflects emotional instinct rather than informed judgment. Wrongful convictions, the high cost of death-row appeals and the lack of evidence that executions deter crime all undermine the case for capital punishment. Although support crosses party lines, its reinstatement remains politically unlikely in Britain, where the consequences of an irreversible state error would provoke profound public outrage.