Annabel Rivkin

United Kingdom

Co-Founder at The Midult

Co-Host at I'm Absolutely Fine! by The Midult

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Articles

I'm an alcoholic worried about going on holiday with boozy friends

6 days ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,I am in my early 30s and have just given up drinking. It's been a bumpy road, and it all finally came to a dangerous head and I had to admit that I'm an alcoholic. I haven't had a drink for two months now and I am slowly piecing my life back together and going to AA meetings. A group of my old friends have invited me on holiday. It's a mixed bag of people who still drink huge amounts and those who have calmed down. I have said yes, but I am really scared. How will I cope?
I'm jealous of my wife's relationship with her brother

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,My wife of two years comes from a small, close family and has a very intense relationship with her brother. They speak at least twice a day, go out for "just us" dinners weekly and have so many in-jokes that it can be hard to feel included in their conversation. I used to think it was wonderful but I'm starting to find it weird and to feel jealous of this unwavering closeness.
My elderly parents have become cantankerous and refuse to listen to reason

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,My parents, who are in their 70s, are driving my three siblings and me mad. They are vague with information, complain endlessly about everything but don't seem to want any actual solutions. They have various health issues but they just moan about the doctors without seeing anything through. They are panicking about money but don't want any support: one minute they are selling their house and the next they are not.
The Midults: We're going on holiday with another couple

3 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,My wonderful wife and I are going on a summer holiday, as we have for the last eight years, with some very good friends who live in our village. This year it's Greece. The children are at university and doing their own thing, so it's just the four of us - all very happily married - which would be very relaxing had I not, over the last six months or so, developed very intense feelings for the woman - who is not my wife.
The Midults: I slept with my male best friend

1 month ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,I slept with my best male friend (we were a bit drunk) and it was a terrible idea because I do not actually fancy him but he has brought up "giving it a go" with me. Then I slept with him again because the sex is really, really great (the best I've ever had) even though I still don't fancy him - which is weird. I know it's a stupid idea to keep getting a bit drunk and having sex with him but I'm finding it hard to resist and I feel guilty and confused about how to navigate this.
My boyfriend disapproves of me having a lie-in

1 month ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,I've just moved in with my boyfriend, only to discover that he actively disapproves when I sleep in on the weekend. He wants us to go out and explore or exercise or do DIY rather than "wasting the day", but I really need some sloth time. I have a fairly demanding work week of five long days in the office and I'm starting to feel ashamed for craving a few empty hours. He's a pretty determined person and I'm confused about what is the right thing to do... Dear Drained,Energy. Sleep.
I want to escape my increasingly toxic book group

1 month ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,My book club has stopped being fun. We set it up after the pandemic and at the beginning it was full of laughter and interesting chat but, increasingly, the book choices are heavy and, dare I say worthy. People get angry when others haven't had time to read the books - and are starting to talk about each other behind their backs. Basically it feels like a chore. What can I do? Dear Over It,Isn't it depressing that nothing seems immune from the toxicity of today's pressures?
How do I get over the devastation of breaking up with my ex?

1 month ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,Nine months ago I broke up with my boyfriend of five years and I'm still in total despair. I can't sleep, I can't stop crying, I can't stop looking at his social media even though we no longer speak. I'm terrified he'll fall in love with someone, I can't meet anyone else and I can't see this getting better. I'm just existing and I feel like I'm dying on the inside. I don't know how to move forward with my life. -Heartbroken Dear Heartbroken,We are so sorry to hear this.
I don't fancy my partner now he's shaved his beard off

2 months ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,I always swore I'd never date a man with a beard and then I met my lovely bearded boyfriend whose beard only seemed to make him more attractive. Last week, 18 months into our relationship, he shaved off his beard and I really, really do not feel the same way about him clean-shaven. He doesn't look like him and I keep having mad thoughts like "this is not what I signed up for". He knows I don't like it but thinks it's funny. I feel resentful towards him. How can I make him grow it back?
My sister says my rescue dog is the ugliest mutt in town

2 months ago | telegraph.co.uk | Annabel Rivkin |Emilie McMeekan

Dear A&E,My sister is very rude about my dog. He's a rescue from Corfu and I appreciate that he's a little odd-looking and skittish but every time she sees us, she relentlessly teases me about having the ugliest dog in town. She even changed the family WhatsApp group picture to my dog. I know I sound ridiculous but I really mind and when I tell her to stop she just laughs and says she's "only joking." As a result, I am avoiding her and I really resent her attitude.