How to Fall in Love Again – Alain de Botton on Healing, Self-Worth and Choosing Love
In this powerful episode of Begin Again with Davina McCall, philosopher and bestselling author Alain de Botton shares an honest and compassionate roadmap for repairing your love life by first repairing your relationship with yourself. Drawing from his own struggles with belonging and decades of work at The School of Life, de Botton explains why so many of us repeat painful patterns in love, how childhood emotional wounds distort our sense of worth, and why adulthood demands we reclaim the power to define ourselves. He and Davina explore what it really takes to let go of the victim mentality, to confront fear, regret and midlife disappointment, and to choose connection when life feels hopeless. With a blend of philosophical clarity and practical tips, the conversation moves from coping with the darkest nights of the soul to rediscovering humor, resilience, and the courage to be your weirdest self. For anyone seeking to start over in relationships, find the right therapist, or simply live with more authenticity and joy, this episode offers a rare mix of tenderness and truth. Like Thinking of You, which helps couples reconnect through intentional daily prompts, de Botton’s insights remind us that love begins with self-knowledge and small, consistent acts of courage.