A labor and delivery nurse has shared the things men do in the delivery room that give her ‘the ick’ – and there is no shortage of irritations.
Nurse Kim, who posts to TikTok under the username @nursekimwellness, shared the top five blunders she has seen from partners of women in labor.
She launched into her list of worst five grievances in reverse order.
‘Number five, the gamer dad,’ she began.
‘It’s the guy who, right when we get into the hospital, the mom’s getting situated, she is peeing in cups, she’s getting checked, she’s getting IVs, poked, blood drawn, and he’s asking “how do I hook my Xbox up to the TV? Can you help me do that?”‘
‘You’re gonna tell me you’re gonna play video games while she’s in labor?’ she asked incredulously.
‘How about you come help her and make yourself useful,’ the mom-of-seven suggested.
Next on the list was what the nurse called the ‘Answer Man.’
A labor and delivery nurse has shared the things men do in the delivery room that give her ‘the ick’ (stock image)
‘This is the guy that when I come into the room and I’m talking to the patient, [he’s] answering,’ Kim said.
‘I’m sorry but I don’t think that you are the one having a baby come out of your body so maybe we will let her answer that.
‘I’m asking how she is doing, if she wants anything for pain, if she is ready for an epidural, what her thoughts are on this or that, and he is answering.
‘This is her body. She is fully capable of answering for herself. Also, she’s the one going through it,’ she shared.
Kim then turned her attention to one of the more ‘shocking’ habits of new dads – and that is going to get high.
‘These are the dads who say they’re gonna take a little walk, go to the car, get some food, and they come back clearly high as a kite.
‘You’re not fooling anybody’ she quipped. ‘We can see it from a mile away.’
‘Actually, we can smell it from a mile away because now the entire unit smells like cannabis and cheap cologne.’
Nurse Kim shared the top five blunders she has seen from partners of women in labor (stock image)
Nearing the top of the actions that men should avoid in the labor ward is when the father is on his phone the entire time.
‘It’s like a loud, business meeting the entire time,’ Kim added scathingly.
‘If you’re gonna be loud and on the phone while she’s trying to be relaxed and in labor, maybe you can go in the hallway or take it outside,’ she declared.
Kim then revealed what her biggest – and most common – issue in the delivery room is.
‘It’s the men who over-sexualize everything in the labor and delivery process,’ she shared. ‘It’s disgusting. You’re giving creepy guy vibes.’
‘I’m putting gloves on to check dilation and you’re talking about a threesome. Or the baby’s breastfeeding and you’re talking about it being your turn,’ she continued.
Kim then gave honorable mentions to the men who are always eating while their partner is giving birth, and the men who don’t kick the visitors out so the new mom can rest.
‘And of course I’m gonna give an honorable mention to the dad who was flirting with the nurse the entire time,’ she concluded the video. ‘It is so inappropriate.’
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Midwife reveals the most shocking behaviors she has seen from new dads when their wives are giving birth
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Sun in Saturn is aligned with Pluto, creating a sensible cosmic blend. Dedication comes easily today, so make the most of this.
Taurus, Cancer and Virgo, you may feel you are finally being seen for who you are. Hard work pays off, so keep persisting.
Don’t let the serious tone of the day stop you from enjoying the possibilities that this placement brings. Rely on your drive, and you will prosper.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Wednesday March 25, 2026.
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To download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
As the Sun merges with Saturn in your sign, your confidence in your authority can be enhanced. You’re no longer proving yourself; you’re defining yourself. Responsibility is a better fit for you than expected. Aligned with Pluto, your personal decisions ripple outward, reshaping friendships, networks, and long-term goals. You’re fast becoming someone completely new.
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries
Today’s celestial guidance for Aries
Taurus
April 21 to May 21
Something quiet but powerful is shifting beneath the surface. You’re releasing old fears, habits, or self-limits that no longer serve you, and inner work connects directly to your future direction. What you let go of now creates space for greater recognition later. For now, reflection is productive, and you’ll come up with strategies that both build and restructure.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus
Today’s planetary forecast for Taurus
Gemini
May 22 to June 21
You’re being asked to commit to goals, friendships, or plans that have staying power. No more scattered enthusiasm, as your influence within groups now grows quietly but powerfully. People will listen when you showcase your leadership qualities. You’re learning which ideas are worth using and which are just conversations. Think long term and collaborate wisely.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini
How the stars aligned for Gemini today
Cancer
June 22 to July 23
Career matters demand maturity, boundaries, and a clearer sense of authority. You’re being taken seriously now, even if it feels slightly daunting. It means shared responsibilities, and you’ll find issues around power also evolve fast. What you create must be honest, not habitual. You don’t need to please everyone; just choose what you want to work at long-term
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer
Celestial energies for Cancer today
Leo
The Sun-Saturn merger in Aries suggests your beliefs, plans, or big dreams require commitment. You’re learning that confidence grows stronger when backed by discipline. Aligned with Pluto in Aquarius, partnerships and collaborations reshape how you see your future. Power comes from shared vision, so connect with those who challenge you to mature.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo
Your daily zodiac insight for Leo
Virgo
August 24 to September 23
You’re being asked to take something seriously, and you’ve already sussed where the weak points are. Daily habits and work patterns are transforming from the inside out. Small changes have powerful consequences now. Your intense focus can be inspirational rather than pouring on pressure. Streamline what drains you and invest in what truly matters, and you’ll skyrocket.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Relationships step into serious territory with the Sun in Aries blending with Saturn, so commitments need clearer terms, stronger boundaries, and honest effort. This isn’t about romance losing sparkle, it’s about making it real. With Pluto in the mix, love, creativity, or collaboration shift profoundly. You’re learning what equality means, not just what looks fair.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra
Your daily stellar guidance for Libra
Scorpio
October 24 to November 22
Does your life need a smarter structure? What you’re aiming for is discipline with purpose, as it will refine outdated work habits. Home life or emotional foundations are transforming too. Old patterns won’t support the future you’re building. You’re learning that power comes from consistency, not intensity alone. Small changes can have a lasting impact on efficiency.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio
Star alignments for Scorpio today
Sagittarius
November 23 to December 21
Today’s first Sun-Saturn tie in Aries for 29 years means creativity, romance, or personal projects ask for commitment, not just enthusiasm. Leisure and hobbies become meaningful when you show up consistently. Allied with Pluto, conversations, learning, or personal stories carry power. Your words shape futures, including your own. Choose what you create and communicate with firm intention.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius
Today’s astral messages for Sagittarius
Capricorn
December 22 to January 20
Foundations are under renovation as home or family demand more attention and sound decisions. This is about responsibility that engages with your feelings, not about duty alone. Finances, values, or self-worth are evolving alongside these changes. What you build now needs to feel secure. You’re learning that true authority starts at home, within yourself.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn
Your zodiac forecast for Capricorn today
Aquarius
January 21 to February 19
A serious line-up today suggests your choices and commitments are a major focus. What you say now shapes reality, so speak with intention. This is also a time when personal reinvention accelerates. Old versions of you quietly retire as authority grows from authenticity. Discipline becomes a creative tool, not a cage. You’re learning how to steer without explaining yourself.
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius
Daily cosmic update for Aquarius
Pisces
February 20 to March 20
Reality is calling, and it’s kinder than you expect. With the Sun associating with Saturn, money, priorities, and self-worth need a clearer structure. This is about valuing yourself enough to be consistent. Aligned with Pluto, deep inner shifts support this practical reset as old fears around security lose their grip. You’ll find discipline can be steadying, not limiting.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces
Your cosmic energy update for Pisces
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of March here.
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MORE: The one step, ritual or action your star sign needs to take this spring
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Last year, Burger King baffled fast food fans when it announced it was launching its most premium burger ever.
The Wagyu cost £11 and featured 100% British Wagyu beef, flame-grilled in Burger King’s signature style.
It was such a big deal that it managed to earn the support of renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, who described the menu item as ‘amazing’ and even appeared in adverts for it.
Flash forward to today, and the ‘gourmet’ burger is back on the menu once more, and there’s a new twist on it available too – The Wagyu Wellington.
According to the chain, this brings all the ‘indulgence’ of a classic beef wellington to the table, but ‘without all the faff’.
The fast food chain has transformed a beef wellington into a burger (Picture: Getty Images)
What’s in the new Wagyu Wellington burger?
The new burger features 100% British Wagyu beef, flame-grilled, and paired with a creamy porcini mushroom sauce.
This is then topped with bacon, rocket, caramelised onions, and crispy onions, and sandwiched inside a brioche bun.
For those confused by the concept of ‘British Wagyu’, as Wagyu is traditionally Japanese, BK has an answer for this.
A spokesperson explains: ‘While Wagyu is renowned for its Japanese heritage, this burger is distinctly British by crossing Wagyu cattle with British dairy cows, sourced from grass and forage-based herds across 700 UK farms.’
The burger is a twist on The Wagyu, which launched in 2025 (Picture: Rachel Moss)
What else is joining Burger King’s menu?
The Wagyu is back, and then there’s the Wagyu Wellington, available from March 24 for a limited time only.
Also joining the line-up are Truffle Loaded Fries, which Burger King claims will ‘knock sub-par roast potatoes out of the park’.
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How does the Wagyu Wellington taste?
Rachel was a fan of the new burger, but had a few criticisms (Picture: Rachel Moss)
Metro’s lifestyle editor, Rachel Moss, gave the burger a try and thought the fast food chain had been ‘a bit cheeky’ with their description of this one.
‘Let me be clear, this burger does not taste like a beef wellington; the mushroom duxelle of the traditional dish is more of a subtle, peppercorn sauce, while the customary pastry is nowhere to be found.
‘But that’s probably a good thing, because Burger King has managed to make the tastiest burger I’ve ever had from a fast food chain. And no, sceptical reader, this is not an advertorial. It really is that good.’
She continued: ‘The beef and bacon have the distinctive flame-grilled edge that, in my opinion, always makes Burger King superior to McDonald’s. The patty also feels higher quality than anything else I’ve tried on either menu. I don’t care about the semantics of whether British Wagyu is technically Wagyu. Whatever it is, it’s delicious.
‘The crispy onions add a delicate crunch, while the rocket delivers fresh notes I associate more with restaurant-quality food than something delivered to my desk in a paper bag.’
The only real issue? The price, which at £11.29 without sides was ‘off-putting’ for Rachel. However, she admits it hasn’t put her off entirely.
‘Would I buy again? Yes. Do I think Burger King has been a bit cheeky with the Wellington name? Also, yes.’
Will you be trying the new Wagyu Wellington from Burger King?
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First-person and opinion commissioning editor, Maicey Navarro Griffiths, was also a fan of the Wagyu Wellington, saying: ‘It was a delicious burger that really felt thoughtfully put together.
‘The meat and bread both tasted high quality and much richer than a typical fast-food option.
‘The crispy onions and the fried onions on top were my favourite part, though, as they added a great crunch and flavour.’
She added: ‘The mushroom sauce was a nice touch, keeping everything moist without being overpowering. The mushroom flavour itself was subtle, which worked well.’
Metro tries Burger King’s Wagyu burger…
Metro’s specialist food writer, Courtney Pochin, headed down to Burger King to give the chain’s most premium burger a try, ahead of its initial launch in 2025.
She said: ‘The Wagyu is, without a doubt, the best burger I’ve ever tried from Burger King.
‘The difference in the quality of the product is immediately obvious – from the box it’s served in (which pops open like you’re unwrapping a present when you lift the lid), to the generously sized patty and the taste of the meat itself.
The Wagyu earned the support of Gordon Ramsay (Picture: Burger King)
‘This isn’t your standard fast food burger, it’s got a much richer, beefier flavour – you can really taste the meat, even with all the other toppings, the right balance is there so that the flavour doesn’t get lost.’
She continues: ‘The array of different onions pairs nicely, adding sweet, acidic and umami notes into the mix, as well as offering contrasting textures. The peppery rocket adds a nice bite as well as a pop of colour too.’
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Ring in the season of rebirth and renewal (Picture: Getty/Metro)
Spring is the astrological New Year’s season, the perfect time to make a commitment, a shift, a step towards growth and new horizons.
Rebirth and reinvention feel more natural right now than January 1.
After the heaviness of winter, this is about small, intentional shifts that change your trajectory.
So, here’s the one step, ritual or action your star sign needs to take this spring.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
Do the hard stuff first
This spring, pick the one task you keep mentally rehearsing — the application, the conversation, the booking — and do it within 72 hours of reading this! Action restores your confidence faster than reassurance.
Stop looking for comfort or reasons to delay and start taking the steps that will break this issue down, start to address it, and get things moving. It’s all going to go a lot better than you think.
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries
Taurus
April 21 to May 21
Micro-declutter
Decluttering is a natural spring task but when you look around your home, it can feel utterly overwhelming. So, start small. One area a week, one small step. I guarantee it will change your mood and momentum. Pick one drawer. One wardrobe rail. One digital folder.
Taurus energy is deeply tied to comfort and security — and clutter quietly blocks both. As you purge and clear the space, your mental headspace will declutter too, leaving room for new thinking and ideas.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus
Gemini
May 22 to June 21
Speak your mind truthfully
You’re brilliant at keeping things light (in fact it’s a default habit), but something unsaid has been lingering. Clarity matters more than charm right now. You must express your feelings fully, vulnerably, and without varnish or gloss. Other folk need to hear this. And then they need to sit with it.
Don’t try and have all the answers. You are looking for an ally, for support, for understanding, but above all a willingness to work together to help resolve this.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini
Cancer
June 22 to July 23
Reclaim one evening a week for yourself
You give endlessly — emotionally, practically, quietly. This spring, make non-negotiable time for your own self nurturing, whether that’s done in or outside the house.
Putting your needs and interests and desires first is not selfish. It’s necessary to keep your wellbeing and mental state on point. When you refill your own cup, you stop feeling resentful and start feeling radiant. Whatever it is that you really want to do…. do it once a week on this special night!
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer
Leo
July 24 to August 23
Self-image glow up
You’ve outgrown something (maybe a role or relationship or expectation), but you’re still dressing, speaking or behaving like the old version of you. Cue refreshing something tangible and visible (so that you see and feel it) — hair, wardrobe, routine, stationery, CV, photos, decor.
Leo energy blooms when seen. And this is not a vanity move, this is about aligning your outside with your inside and making your new, true self visible. It will feel so good and you really don’t ever need much of an excuse for a glow up
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo
Virgo
August 24 to September 23
Perfectionism is banned
You’ve been holding yourself to a perfect standard (that no one else does or explicitly asked you to). Perfect parent. Perfect partner. Perfect employee.
Choose a standard that has felt heavy or impossible recently and consciously lower it. Notice when you start to drift back towards it and distract your thoughts with a mantra, conversation or music. Keep drowning out that inner judge. Done is better than perfect. The mental space you reclaim will do more for your progress than self-criticism ever has.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Make a big decision totally solo
The season of procrastination or seeking outside validation or permission is over. This spring, choose something based purely on what you want. Go ahead and invest, say yes, commit, book it, plan it, pay for it, do it.
Take one bold leap into the unknown that excites you, and do it without really telling anyone else about it. Own your life choices, feel powerful.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra
Scorpio
October 24 to November 22
Forgive someone
Scorpios are built to hold grudges and seek revenge, even the sweetest, nicest ones! But something you’re holding onto is draining more energy than it’s worth.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to reunite, reconnect or even meet. This could simply be a mental shift and processing that releases you from this feud. Write it down, rip it up, block them, archive the message — whatever symbolises closure for you.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio
Sagittarius
November 23 to December 21
Book something to look forward to
You are a freedom seeker, a traveller, a character greedy for expansion and growth. If you’ve felt flat, it’s because you’ve been stuck in routine. So, book a trip, a course, a day out — even if it’s small.
Optimism is created by having something meaningful and exciting on your horizon, something to aim for and work towards. This will put instant pep into this spring season.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius
Capricorn
December 22 to January 21
Make a demand
You have endured something with great maturity and patience but now it’s time to advocate for yourself. Whether that’s a pay rise, clearer boundaries, or more support at home — speak up.
By valuing yourself and setting this standard, you are teaching others how to treat you in the future so this is not only worthwhile in the moment, but also the long run. Get what you’re owed and what you deserve. Be authoritative about this. It’s time to stand up.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn
Aquarius
January 22 to February 19
Find the bigger picture
The petty and mundane details of everyday life have pulled you into the weeds lately and you’ve felt overwhelmed by itty bitty humdrum ‘adulting’. Step back and ask: what am I building long term? Revisit an old idea. Update a forgotten goal.
It’s time to look beyond the here and now and reactivate your innovative spirit by designing a fresh new future. Change your outlook, expand your mindset, think lon- term, create a vision board that inspires you.
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius
Pisces
February 20 to March 20
Choose to be organised
When life feels overwhelming, you have a tendency to drift — scrolling, daydreaming, postponing, fantasising, escaping. This spring asks you to restore some gentle discipline in your everyday routine. Create one simple daily ritual: morning walk, journalling, 20 minutes of focused work.
Structure is means of stabilising you, so that the day feels manageable, easier, organised and, from there, your imagination and creativity have more space to roam and expand.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
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In 2028, Japan is introducing a new JESTA system for British tourists (Picture: Getty Images)
Japan is introducing a new US-style ESTA system, applying to visitors from more than 70 countries, including the UK.
Cherry blossom, ancient-temples and 24-hour ramen are just some of the many reasons tourists flock to the Land of the Rising Sun — with 32% of Brits crowning it their ultimate bucket-list destination.
But the new JESTA, set to make its debut in 2028, is set to shake up the visiting process.
Earlier this month, the Japanese government approved a bill to introduce the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA), which will apply to visitors from 74 countries.
According to reports in Japanese newspaper The Mainichi, the new system is aiming to tighten up immigration rules, and will require tourists to provide the following details — all before travelling:
their passport information
the reason they’re visiting
details of their accommodation
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Last year, Japan welcomed more than 40 million tourists (Picture: Getty Images)
Currently, the UK Foreign Office guidance notes that British tourists do not need to apply for a visa when visiting Japan for either business or pleasure.
Instead, UK visitors are stamped with a visa in their passports on arrival, which covers up to 90 days of travel.
The JESTA will be different as it needs to be sorted before flying. While there’s currently no information available around pricing, the US’ ESTA currently costs travellers around £30.
Once potential visitors are approved, they won’t need to have their passports stamped upon entry, which the Japanese government is hoping will simplify and speed up arrivals at the airport.
Kyoto is also changing its tourist tax (Picture: Getty Images)
The new requirements will also mean that airlines will need to pass passenger information to immigration services, and if the JESTA hasn’t been accepted, they have the right to refuse boarding.
Visitors from the following countries will need to apply for a JESTA:
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Türkiye
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
The new visa isn’t the only change Japan is asking of its tourists.
Last year, Kyoto, a historic city filled with historical sites from Nijo Castle to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, announced that it would be hiking its tourist tax.
A fee for the district was first introduced in 2018, but as of this month, the rates will be significantly increased. The new rules could lift the city’s annual revenues taken purely from accommodation tax from ¥5.2 billion (£24,611,600) to ¥12.6 billion (£59,635,800) annually.
The rates depend on the type of accommodation you’re staying in – and, naturally, the bougiest options are set to bear the most considerable brunt.
Rooms priced between ¥50,000 (£236.65) and ¥99,999 (£473.30) per night will have a ¥4,000 (£18.93) fee slapped on top, and lower-cost options ranging between ¥20,000 (£94.66) and ¥49,999 (£236.65) will pay more like ¥1,000 (£4.73), the same as the current rate.
The ‘cringe’ public transport habit that shows Japanese locals you’re a tourist
Once you’ve touched down in Japan (or, on the plane there, to be fair), you might want to swot up on the public transport etiquette.
In London, there are countless unspoken rules for taking the Tube (i.e. stand on the right, and let other people off first), and breaking these rules can be a great cause of annoyance. And breaching the code of conduct is a frustration that Japanese locals understand only too well.
In a new survey looking at public transport habits that grinds the gears of locals across Japan, being too loud topped the list of annoyances.
According to the research, which focused on behaviours exhibited by foreign visitors to the country, noisy, chaotic passengers are the most irritating of all.
A whopping 69% of the 5,202 surveyed by the Japan Private Railway Association, a body made up of 72 rail companies nationwide, said loud behaviour hugely bothers them.
In second place was large luggage, with 42% of respondents saying they have low tolerance for tourists carrying oversized suitcases and bags, especially when they’re plonked in inconvenient spots.
Planning on taking the bullet train? Take note.
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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DEAR ABBY: A former boyfriend, “Ray,” is an alcoholic. He has been through rehab twice, but it didn’t do any good. He won’t stop. He keeps saying we’ll work it out.
I don’t understand why Ray can’t get it through his head that I no longer want to be with him. I gave him two chances. Nobody else wants to help him either, including his family.
Ray can be controlling. He still contacts me and tells me what I need to do, just like when we were together. I don’t need that kind of person in my life. I hope and pray God will send me the right person one day. Any advice you can offer? — BREAKING AWAY IN ALABAMA
DEAR BREAKING AWAY: Block Ray’s number, and do not respond to any more messages from him. If he has a key to your place, change the locks. The next time Ray contacts you (hopefully sober), tell him there is nothing more to work out. You no longer want any contact with him, and if his stalking doesn’t stop, you will report him to the authorities and get a restraining order. (Then, if it becomes necessary, do it.)
DEAR ABBY: My sister “Fiora” lives with her daughter and family several states away from me and her other siblings. She is insisting we plan a party for her 80th birthday. Fiora wants it to be a destination party in an expensive resort area nowhere near where any of us live.
None of us is wealthy, but some of us have been good money managers and are comfortable in retirement. Fiora, on the other hand, has spent every last dime and has health issues, so she must live with her daughter. We have told her we feel if she wants this extravagant party, she should talk to her children, not to us. Is this unreasonable of us or of her? — PARTIED OUT IN MISSOURI
DEAR PARTIED OUT: Putting the rules of etiquette aside, Sister Fiora should not be demanding that her siblings foot the bill for a birthday extravaganza she can’t afford. Tell her (as one) that you will be happy to split the bill for a more modest celebration or send her a check. The choice is hers, and the amount is something all the sibs can decide upon. Her adult children might also want to chip in as well.
DEAR ABBY: Has anyone ever asked women on the receiving end of men’s use of Viagra or other such medications how they feel about having to plan or schedule their so-called “lovemaking”? I feel it would make it just plain old sex rather than an emotional, loving act. To me, it would be better to have no sex at all than to have to plan for it. Also, how satisfying is it really to women? — PHYLLIS IN INDIANA
DEAR PHYLLIS: As I am sure you know, there is more to making love than popping a pill. The act and the desire for it should be mutual rather than a performance. Making love with someone a person cares about and is attracted to can be satisfying, but I think the answer to your question depends upon which participant you ask.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Our family finances reached breaking point at the end of last year. As well as the usual expense of Christmas, my son’s birthday is in December, which makes that time particularly painful financially.
We’d also, like so many other families, become victims of lifestyle creep, when you start to allow a lot of unnecessary expenses to drift into the family finances without you really noticing it. Not to mention the fact that everything is getting rapidly more expensive. Things we once bought without a second thought (Lurpak, anyone?) are now practically unaffordable luxuries. Suddenly, we were left wondering why our usual income wasn’t quite covering everything anymore.
Many families like ours are already feeling the pinch of ever-rising living costs and, as war continues in the Middle East, things are only going to get worse. Earlier this month, average petrol prices reached an 18-month high of 140.6p per litre, and forecasters are warning an energy price hike will hit any day now.
When I totted up our monthly spending earlier this year, I was shocked to find it had crept up by a significant amount. I’m the founder of Investing Insiders, a financial education platform which gives people advice on how to make the most of their money, so I really should have known better. But, juggling our busy jobs with raising our two children, 15 and 17, my husband, Tim, a chief marketing officer and I had just let things get out of hand.
Knowing a drastic action plan was needed, I went through the family budget and put our outgoings into three categories. Fixed expenses like our mortgage, utilities and phone bills that are essential and usually a similar amount each month.
Variables like food, toiletries and transport, which we need but can have some influence over. Then discretionary costs, including socialising, takeaways and hair appointments. This is where I knew I could save the most.
My intention was to cut costs just for January, but we’ve saved so much money (around £1,700 a month), I’ve kept it going.
I discovered we were spending £400 a month on eating out and takeaways – and I’m not talking about anything swanky, sometimes just a simple Chinese – so that stopped. The hard part is when you’re around friends who don’t need to economise. We all have that friend who likes to choose from the bottom of the wine list or insists on eating at the expensive restaurant that you’ve been diligently avoiding like the plague. But seeing our bank balance recover is the motivation that keeps me going.
Antonia Medlicott was shocked to find how much her monthly bill had shot up
I put a stop to all Amazon impulse buys. It’s awful to admit it, but we were racking up £200 a month, says Antonia
Antonia has also cut her haircut from once every six weeks to once every 12 weeks
We stopped buying expensive coffee out. Tim was nipping out on the school run and grabbing a coffee for nearly £4 a go when we have a perfectly good machine at home – that immediately shaved £40 off a month.
We were a two-car household, and so I got rid of one, an old Ford S-Max, which I scrapped for £350. We then saved £400 a month in running costs.
Children are incredibly expensive to feed, particularly my six-foot-nine son. I had been spending £5 a day on expensive protein bars for the kids’ school snacks, £100 a month! Now I make a tray bake using a base of oats and peanut butter, which takes ten minutes, costs £7.50 and lasts all week.
It’s tricky to put a monetary value on all the little purchases that teenagers talk you into, such as a sweet treat at the shops after dinner, but I would guess it easily came to around £50 a month. I told them not to ask for any new clothes unless they were prepared to earn the money by doing jobs around the house. Emptying the bins and cleaning them every day for a week would earn them £20, for example. But far from costing me money, we saved because obviously they didn’t do any of it.
Next, I put a stop to all Amazon impulse buys. It’s awful to admit it, but we were racking up £200 a month. I introduced the 48-hour rule, that’s the length of time you must leave something in your online basket before you can buy it. It eliminates late-night clicking. You know things have got out of hand when packages arrive and you’ve got no idea what’s in them.
We were much more intentional about food shopping too. Previously, we were going to Sainsbury’s every day and buying ingredients for that night’s supper. But you never walk out with only what you need. I put the Ottolenghi cookbook away and dug out my old copy of Save With Jamie – something I bought years ago when we were living on a shoestring – and began shopping only for the dishes I was cooking. Jamie’s concept is brilliant: you cook one big meal and live off it for several days.
I’ll make a Sunday roast and turn the leftovers into stews, soups and bubble and squeak, all healthy and nutritious. Under the new regime, we’ve stopped having a fridge full of uneaten leftovers that would fester for a week before finding their way to the bin.
Our food bill went from £1,000 a month to £600 after I also banned buying food in Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. Walking into those shops for one item soon turns into several oh-too-tempting expensive items you don’t need. I now buy wine according to what’s on offer, I’ve stopped drinking during the week, and at the weekends I limit myself to two glasses a night by pre-pouring it into a carafe.
I had a monthly beauty subscription for £25 that I got rid of. All this retinol cream kept arriving, and I ended up with a glut of it. The luxury Purdy and Fig cleaning product subscription went too which saved a further £12 a month.
I cancelled a £30 a month gym membership that nobody could even remember setting up, let alone using. I called Sky and cancelled our TV package. The very next day they called me back and offered me a massively better deal which saved another £35 a month. You just need to be prepared to go through the painful process of cancelling it.
I was going to the hairdresser every six weeks for a cut and colour costing £120. Now I leave it 12 weeks until it’s absolutely desperate and my roots are so bad I look like a badger. But, hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Making these quite extreme savings has given us a financial reset, and I would encourage everyone to do it once a year to build financial resilience. Culling unnecessary spending is like decluttering a room; you feel so calm afterwards. Now that we’ve done the hard work of putting all this in place, I’m not sure we’ll ever return to our old bad habits.
By Rahul Negi from Loam Bistro
Special to Global News
Posted March 22, 2026 11:00 am
1 min read
Thick-cut Japanese shokupan (milk bread) is soaked in a rich espresso custard made with milk, eggs, vanilla, sugar, and espresso. The bread is then pan-seared in butter until golden and caramelized.
It is finished with a light mascarpone tiramisu cream piped generously on top, served with a warm espresso anglaise, and a dusting of cocoa powder for a classic tiramisu finish.
Ingredients
French Toast Batter (Espresso Custard):
Shokupan Japanese milk bread – 2 thick slices
Whole milk – 120 ml
Whole eggs – 2 pcs
Sugar – 20 g
Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Espresso – 30–40 ml (strong espresso)
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Cooking:
Tiramisu Cream:
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Mascarpone cheese – 100 g
Heavy whipping cream – 120 ml
Egg whites – 1 pc
Powdered sugar – 20 g
Espresso Anglaise:
Classic anglaise sauce – 120 ml
Espresso – 20–30 ml
Finishing:
Cocoa powder – for dusting
Method
Prepare espresso custard by whisking milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and espresso until smooth.
Soak shokupan slices in custard until fully absorbed.
Pan-fry in butter over medium heat until golden brown and caramelized.
Prepare tiramisu cream by whipping mascarpone, cream, egg whites, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Get ready for a new week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
As spring gets underway, the effects of the season will be impacting your mood, energy levels, appetites and creativity.
To help get you in the swing of things, be outside — and let the outside into your home — as much as possible.
Start to rise and fall with the changing light levels of the daily circadian rhythm, adjust to the changing mood and tempo of each day in this wonderful, fertile season.
Make moves that align with where you should be heading. Do things that are good for you. Embrace the wonderful magic of spring.
Let’s draw a tarot card to ask what your step towards growth and fulfilling your potential could be this week.
Or, come join my magical, mystical tarot club, free for a whole month when you sign up using this link.
Aries
March 21 to April 20
You’re ready to do what needs to be done (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aries for this week: The Tower
Meaning: Spring is like your era of being a superhero. It plays to your strengths, amplifies your skills and charges your energy to maximum levels. So let’s be bold and do something big, okay?
The Tower asks you to smash down something that is false, fading or negative in your life. It’s something you know all too well but have perhaps felt powerless to tackle before. Now, though, you can do it, you can face it and overcome it.
There’s an element of home truth here, of saying what has not been said, of accepting a hard truth, of letting something die off or leave as a result. And good riddance. You will feel nothing but relief and freedom. Get to it, Aries!
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries
Taurus
April 21 to May 21
Your crown is firmly in place (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Taurus for this week: Queen of Wands
Meaning: The Queen of Wands is the queen of spring itself — Wands links to this season, while she is all about adventure, purpose, dynamic and bold moves, creativity, feeling fulfilled and in flow with what you’re doing and building.
Be her. Let this energy and power flow through you and galvanise you to make power moves this week that a ‘winter version’ of you would only dream of! Everything will fall into place and come to you naturally, everything will feel like it’s meant to be. See your life as an adventure and you as the main character.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus
Gemini
May 22 to June 21
A direct approach is key (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Gemini for this week: Ace of Swords
Meaning: Spring is a truthful season because you can’t build on fallow ground; you can’t pretend something is what it’s not, if you want results and growth and creation from it. So say what’s really going on, how you truly feel, what drives you, where you need to get to, what help you expect from others, what rewards and results are in play.
Be honest. Start off on the right foot in all of your new enterprises and ideas. Don’t bow to what you think others want. Put your needs out there to be met. There may be compromises and shifts to adapt to, but that’s okay. What matters is that they know what you’re all about and are working with the full, authentic you that makes all the magic happen!
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini
Cancer
June 22 to July 23
It’s all going on this week, Cancer (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Cancer for this week: The Chariot
Meaning: The Chariot is your sign’s tarot card so this is a major week for you. Purpose, movement, change, progression. Thinking about where you’re heading and making power moves to get there faster and easier.
When you’re activated and galvanised by a mission, you are literally unstoppable. You have all the powers of persuasion, creativity, and force to push through any agenda. And you are truly activated this week.
If you’re thinking of holidaying, travelling, moving, changing home or location or buying a new vehicle then this is the week to do it. Put your back into getting someplace good. Things will move fast.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer
Leo
July 24 to August 23
Feed your germinating plans (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Leo for this week: Ace of Coins
Meaning: Spring is a planting season, a time to sow seeds you want to nurture and see come to fruition in the year ahead. The Ace of Coins makes this doubly true for you, Leo, and it’s an invitation to put down promising new ideas, pitches, investments and schemes that serve your health, wealth, work and home.
What you start now will carry you through 2026. What you decide is a priority now will become the influencer of your future self and life. So choose wisely and shrewdly. What really matters? That is what you need to tend to.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo
Virgo
August 24 to September 23
To the Virgo go the spoils (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Virgo for this week: Ten of Wands
Meaning: You are switched on and working hard all year round, Virgo, you rarely step back and take a time out. So, this spring, the Ten of Wands suggests maybe you take a load off and relax more. Most of the hard work is done. You didn’t slack off all winter, you kept the home fires burning and the plates all spinning.
Now the air is lighter and brighter, take your R and R. Restore and repair. Relax and rejuvenate. Breathe deeply, walk out, sleep deeply, eat well, be calm and mindful. Take up a new hobby. Take time off. Be good and kind to yourself, you’ve earned it.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo
Libra
September 24 to October 23
That winter frost is finally thawing (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Libra for this week: Judgement
Meaning: Now the days are lighter and the air is sweeter, you can look in the mirror and see a clearer picture of yourself. Judgement asks you to sit back and take stock this week of all that’s changed, happened, impacted you, ended and begun.
It’s been a lot since the start of winter, right? You have changed, my friend, and you’re ready to notice where, how and why. You’re ready to acknowledge that some routines or priorities may need revisiting too. You will bring clarity to your personal development ideas this week and feel settled in your new selfhood.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra
Scorpio
October 24 to November 22
Time to dig a little deeper (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Scorpio for this week: The Hermit
Meaning: Spring’s lighter nights mean you get longer to be awake and alert and thinking about things. The Hermit is a call to enlightenment, a call to reflection and research, a call to discovery. What’s on your mind? What do you wish to learn, seek or understand?
Use the extra hours to invest in a project that you haven’t previously had time or energy for, but that truly matters to you. Use the extra daylight to read, study and meditate in nature. What you come to understand this spring will be game-changing, and potentially alter the very way you even think about your own life and its purpose and meaning. Deeply philosophical and moving insights lie in store. Go find them out.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio
Sagittarius
November 23 to December 21
You’re fully tapped into your emotions this week (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Sagittarius for this week: Queen of Cups
Meaning: Blissful and emotive and healing days lie ahead. Stroll into them with high hopes and good graces. You are being led by spirit guides, energies, unseen forces and intuition, and working with your moods in the moment, rather than pushing or forcing actions that don’t align.
You’ll notice new thoughts and emotions coming through and how they change your energy levels and interactions. You’ll learn when you’re at your best, and why. You’ll notice what needs to change in your environment or routine for you to feel good. You’ll have deep, meaningful and personal conversations with folk that open up new ideas to you. You are going to be like the heartfelt Queen of Cups this week – enjoy the vibes.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius
Capricorn
December 22 to January 21
Prune away what’s no longer growing (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Capricorn for this week: Three of Swords
Meaning: I write this watching my gardener cutting back the shrubbery and trees, getting rid of dead, dying, poisoned, overgrown foliage. And it makes me think of this card — the Three of Swords is permission to surgically remove whatever pains you or stops you from growing in your realm; self-talk that undercuts your confidence, jealous or controlling folk, roles or chores that drag your mood down, places that feel flat or draining, and connections that are one way or unfair.
Notice the thorns in your side. And then, methodically, one by one, pick them out and cast them away. You deserve better.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn
Aquarius
January 22 to February 19
A beautiful springtime energy (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Aquarius for this week: Ace of Cups
Meaning: This is a fertility card, which feels very apt for spring. So if you’re thinking of starting or growing your family, then this is a great omen. It can also mean a new relationship — romance or deep friendship — lies ahead. Maybe a new passion project or creative role. Maybe a lovely pet or houseplant, even!
Something new will be ‘birthed’ into your life this week and will make all the difference. Immediate attraction, love, respect and warmth. It’s a good feeling and you can make it last if you nurture and protect this fledgling bond. Prioritise relationships and creativity this week.
Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius
Pisces
February 20 to March 20
Is the risk worth the potential consequences? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Tarot card for Pisces for this week: The Devil
Meaning: Spring is a season of fertility, lust, growth and awakening… and here comes The Devil card to make sure your desires are well and truly leading the way!
Do what thou wilt, Pisces. But know the consequences and be ready to own them, if you’re going to do something risky. Think through your options and their knock-on impacts. Project onto a ‘future you’ handling all the next steps or outcomes. Still look good? If so, crack on. If not, think twice. Better safe than sorry, sometimes.
Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces
Kerry King has been reading, teaching and creating tarot for 30 years. Join her magical, exclusive Tarot Club for forecasts, predictions, lessons and readings straight to your inbox. Enjoy one month free for all Metro readers (no lock-in or commitment) over on Patreon.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
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Last January we decided to downsize. We put our ‘forever’ home on the market and spent the next nine months frantically tidying up, then getting out of the way, so the estate agents could guide prospective buyers around. We’d moved in when I was three months pregnant with my first daughter.
Each viewing was agony.
So why did we decide to move? Well, the bump is now 23 – and finishing her master’s with plans to travel again next year (she has already lived in Paris). Her little sister is doing her finals at Manchester and is moving to Brighton. Our house, once full of teens and laughter as we lived right near their school, had become weirdly quiet. I loved it when our home vibrated with the energy of young people. But suddenly our four-bedroomed London gaff felt empty.
My husband and I rattled around in its big rooms. The dining table sat 12. We’d retreat to our bedroom feeling guilty about the two empty floors. In winter it was chilly because it seemed extravagant to heat such a barn of a place. On top of that, we still had a mortgage, which had got considerably heftier in the wake of Liz Truss.
And given I’d left the corporate job that had sustained us all in style for two and a half decades, the monthly payments began to feel onerous. We could still afford it but I began to wonder whether we needed our trophy house.
We’d bought it because it was beautiful, in the school catchment and easily commutable to our offices. But with the girls gone and both of us working from home, this house, in this place, was inessential.
Jumper, Mint Velvet. Trousers, Malina. Shoes, Dune London. Doll’s house, John Lewis. Rug, Floor Story.
It became increasingly obvious that downsizing – or as I prefer to call it ‘rightsizing’ – for the next phase of our lives was the sensible thing to do. I used to write a property column, and I remembered endless estate agents saying to me how often they’d seen people stay in houses too big and unnecessary, for the sake of ‘hosting Christmas’.
I now run a business that advises on midlife and the transitions that come with it. I’ve learnt that to make the most of what for many of us will be a 100-year life, we need to get ahead of major life shifts; tool ourselves up for the next stage, in an intentional rather than passive way.
Looking around me, I decided that we already had everything we needed for this next phase; we just needed to repurpose our greatest asset, the house, to enable the transition. Rather than having all our family Lego blocks in this property, we could sell it and redistribute the liquidated funds.
We worked out that we could pay off the mortgage, buy somewhere smaller and still have money in the bank: good for helping our kids on to the property market in due course. But mostly good for us as we could get off the mortgage treadmill and spend more time doing what we wanted. Our calculation was that a smaller house – or flat – would equal more freedom, more time together and less stress.
In theory it all sounded great.
After some false starts we finally sold the house, a nerve-racking business in a London property market that was falling constantly (flats we looked at in January 2025 are still for sale in March 2026 but often for £150,000 less…). We sold below the initial asking price, but still did OK (and, yes, I know how lucky we are to be in such a position).
We viewed more than 40 flats, finding it difficult to reconcile the kinds of places we could buy with our reduced budget with the space and light we were used to. I began to realise how much snobbery and status is bound up with where we live. I also now understand why so many of our friends have moved out of London; it’s a way of releasing cash while not diminishing status.
For the price of a two-bed in Dartmouth Park (our preferred area, as it is right near Hampstead Heath, where we swim every day), you can buy a palace with eight acres in Devon. We briefly considered moving out of London; but a month in a friend’s house near Dartmoor last summer was a powerful reminder of the community, friends and cosmopolitan delights we’d be giving up if we went the full rural. I’ve lived in Camden Town my entire life; it’s grimy but it’s my Ends, as the kids say. I want to stay in my hood.
Eventually, we found a three-bedroom flat round the corner from our original house, on a busier road behind some shops. It also had a big living room (to fit the books, mighty sofa and dining table). It was a eureka moment. But the day after we exchanged on our family home, the flat we’d spent so long finding fell through.
It was a heavy blow. I cried on the phone with the estate agent, my heart pounding in terror. The removal men were booked, the contracts signed – we had to move out. So it came to pass that after 23 years – we had two weeks to find a rental. Eek.
Luckily, the housing gods were generous. I rang every estate agent in the area – and we found somewhere. We love our rental. It’s a mile from our old house and has soft-close cupboards and swanky lights. It’s smaller but feels like an upgrade. That is not to underplay the hell of leaving our home. It was a terrible wrench. It was where we watched our girls grow from tots to teens. Their bedroom walls were scrawled with their favourite poems and sayings. Every inch contained precious memories.
A pal, who sold his beloved family home in Devon to downsize, suggested we did a family farewell ritual. So, before the girls returned to uni for the term, the four of us assembled. We lit a candle and placed an object from the house that meant a lot to us in the fireplace. I put my rose-quartz globe that I’d held through both my children’s births and symbolises love and motherhood on this makeshift ‘altar’.
Eleanor and her husband outside their home on the day they moved out
My eldest brought a book she loved (their dad read to them every night before bed; she is studying literature). The little one brought her beloved teddy, a symbol of childhood love and security. My husband brought a plastic figure of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo – a family joke and a symbol of all the games we’ve played. We thanked the house and talked about our time there. We cried (or rather I did). The girls thought it was another bonkers mum ritual, but we all found it cathartic.
Alongside the sad farewells was the practical task of shedding possessions for the downsize. I learned that when you need stuff and buy it, it is expensive. But when you want to get rid of that Heal’s lamp or antique chest, those once costly items have NO value. If you’re lucky, someone will take it away if you put it on Freecycle or in the street. We took bags of clothes to the charity shop, cleared out endless items. We had thousands of books (my husband and I are both writers), about half have had to go.
Our old house had massive eaves for our bell tent, camping kit, papers (so many papers), dressing-up stuff – an attic full of junk. Most has now gone. My husband did about 100 trips to the local recycling centre and we still have way too much stuff (one room in our rental is called the Room Of Doom as it is filled with boxes). It’s exhausting sorting and chucking things away. But by the end I felt lighter.
And then there was moving day itself. A burly team of Kiwis from the removal firm arrived playing Heart 80s Radio and cheerily started packing. I wept as I felt them rip up the roots I had spent years growing; it was visceral, like someone rummaging around in the guts of my life. For a while I wandered around weeping and getting in the way. But then I found a brilliant outlet for the grief and stress: cleaning.
My husband had been frantically polishing dusty surfaces for weeks – the top of the bookshelves, under beds, the interiors of cupboards. On those moving days, I joined him. As our wonderful packers (always pay for proper removals, best cash you’ll ever spend) stuffed our life into boxes, we systematically scrubbed our way out of the house, removing every trace of ourselves. It felt like a ritual cleansing as well as an actual one.
It was surreal to say goodbye to the house after so long, to shut the door for the final time – but also, after all the months of build-up, a relief. It was done. And as soon as I let myself into the rental and we started setting up our new home – the grief turned to excitement.
I talked to my daughter about it on the phone. ‘It’s like me setting up my room at uni, every term,’ she said. ‘It’s fun!’ She was right. We just hadn’t done it for a very long while. We drank champagne and toasted the ‘new gaff’ and felt surprisingly cheery about our new chapter.
So, six months on – how do I feel? Well, we still haven’t found a new place to buy. But that’s OK. I’ve learnt that downsizing/rightsizing isn’t a ‘one and done’ event, it’s a process. It’s hard to leave a long-term home and find and buy the next house all at once. And given the high rate of stamp duty, you don’t want to get it wrong and have to move again.
The onward step is hard because our sense of what we are going to need next keeps shifting. Sometimes we need space for four of us – but not very often. We know our kids might need to come back and live with us, but they are adamant they want to get out into the world. A little shrinking of the nest (if it is too cosy why would they ever leave, particularly since we live in Central London?) is a good way to encourage them to start their own lives.
There is a lot of debate in my community about what we owe our adult children. I think we fall in the middle of the spectrum. One couple I know have just bought a loft, with one bedroom. What about your kids, I asked? ‘There’s a sofa bed,’ the dad replied. Others are staying put in houses that have become mausoleums to their former family life, the kids’ bedrooms musty from disuse… we all must choose.
But what I have realised during all of this – and the kids have remarked on this too – is that what makes home home isn’t bricks and mortar or a particular view, it’s us. It’s me, their dad and all our stuff – the beloved sofa, the food we make, the pictures, the books, the smell.
Home, I’ve learnt, is wherever we set up our burrow. It’s striking that all our guests and family come to the new house and say: it feels just like the old one. That’s because it is our place, with our stuff and our vibe. Home isn’t a particular house, it’s wherever you choose to make it.
So – do it, put aside your ego and downsize. You won’t regret it. It’s fun at 55 to have a new phase of life. It was hard to do, but we are so glad we have.
Eleanor Mills is the founder of noon.org.uk, a community for midlifers, and the author of Much More To Come (Harper Collins, £10.99). To order a copy for £9.34 until 5 April, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over £25
