My therapist told me that anxiety is a bully and, like all bullies, it needs to be put in its place. To my relief, she knew exactly how to do it

The second half of 2011 was not a good time for me. Work was very stressful, and what had been gearing up to be the Great Summer Romance had slowly and painfully fizzled out. My mother was unwell, and I was going through a phase of really missing my father, who had died a few years before. It was the perfect, uninvited storm.

Before, when I’d gone through bad patches, I’d been able to dig myself out fairly quickly. Not this time. Suddenly, I was living in a state of high anxiety. I was still getting on with my life – going to work, going out – but anxiety was running the show. Having to make even the smallest decision would send me into a panic.

My therapist told me that anxiety is a bully and, like all bullies, it needs to be put in its place. To my relief, she knew exactly how to do it

The second half of 2011 was not a good time for me. Work was very stressful, and what had been gearing up to be the Great Summer Romance had slowly and painfully fizzled out. My mother was unwell, and I was going through a phase of really missing my father, who had died a few years before. It was the perfect, uninvited storm.

Before, when I’d gone through bad patches, I’d been able to dig myself out fairly quickly. Not this time. Suddenly, I was living in a state of high anxiety. I was still getting on with my life – going to work, going out – but anxiety was running the show. Having to make even the smallest decision would send me into a panic.

My therapist told me that anxiety is a bully and, like all bullies, it needs to be put in its place. To my relief, she knew exactly how to do it

The second half of 2011 was not a good time for me. Work was very stressful, and what had been gearing up to be the Great Summer Romance had slowly and painfully fizzled out. My mother was unwell, and I was going through a phase of really missing my father, who had died a few years before. It was the perfect, uninvited storm.

Before, when I’d gone through bad patches, I’d been able to dig myself out fairly quickly. Not this time. Suddenly, I was living in a state of high anxiety. I was still getting on with my life – going to work, going out – but anxiety was running the show. Having to make even the smallest decision would send me into a panic.

‘Churning and burning’ is the latest trend in fitness – and all you need is trainers and a bag of cream. This could be just the start of a culinary CrossFit

There is a new entry in the overstuffed “What fresh hell?” category for 2026 – people have started making butter while they run. “You may be asking yourself why,” content creator Libby Cope says in one of the videos that kicked off this weirdness (yes, yes I am); “The real question is why not?” She and her partner then pour cream and salt into double-bagged zip-lock sandwich bags, which they put into their backpacks, before setting off, “churning and burning”.

After a few miles, Cope opens her bag to reveal she has made a bit of butter. They have kept up this weird new hobby and, according to Runners World : “Now, the couple has more butter than they know what to do with.” (Do they know how much butter costs these days ? Sell it!)

‘Churning and burning’ is the latest trend in fitness – and all you need is trainers and a bag of cream. This could be just the start of a culinary CrossFit

There is a new entry in the overstuffed “What fresh hell?” category for 2026 – people have started making butter while they run. “You may be asking yourself why,” content creator Libby Cope says in one of the videos that kicked off this weirdness (yes, yes I am); “The real question is why not?” She and her partner then pour cream and salt into double-bagged zip-lock sandwich bags, which they put into their backpacks, before setting off, “churning and burning”.

After a few miles, Cope opens her bag to reveal she has made a bit of butter. They have kept up this weird new hobby and, according to Runners World : “Now, the couple has more butter than they know what to do with.” (Do they know how much butter costs these days ? Sell it!)

‘Churning and burning’ is the latest trend in fitness – and all you need is trainers and a bag of cream. This could be just the start of a culinary CrossFit

There is a new entry in the overstuffed “What fresh hell?” category for 2026 – people have started making butter while they run. “You may be asking yourself why,” content creator Libby Cope says in one of the videos that kicked off this weirdness (yes, yes I am); “The real question is why not?” She and her partner then pour cream and salt into double-bagged zip-lock sandwich bags, which they put into their backpacks, before setting off, “churning and burning”.

After a few miles, Cope opens her bag to reveal she has made a bit of butter. They have kept up this weird new hobby and, according to Runners World : “Now, the couple has more butter than they know what to do with.” (Do they know how much butter costs these days ? Sell it!)

Ex-French president, who was jailed last year for criminal conspiracy, to be tried at Paris appeal court on four counts

Nicolas Sarkozy is due to appear at the Paris court of appeal to face a fresh trial over allegations he conspired to receive illegal election campaign funding from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The former rightwing French president, who was in office between 2007 and 2012, denies any wrongdoing.

Ex-French president, who was jailed last year for criminal conspiracy, to be tried at Paris appeal court on four counts

Nicolas Sarkozy is due to appear at the Paris court of appeal to face a fresh trial over allegations he conspired to receive illegal election campaign funding from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The former rightwing French president, who was in office between 2007 and 2012, denies any wrongdoing.

Ex-French president, who was jailed last year for criminal conspiracy, to be tried at Paris appeal court on four counts

Nicolas Sarkozy is due to appear at the Paris court of appeal to face a fresh trial over allegations he conspired to receive illegal election campaign funding from the regime of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The former rightwing French president, who was in office between 2007 and 2012, denies any wrongdoing.