ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend's boyfriend and I got into a heated argument at a dinner party. He made a joke about me being a drama queen and gossiping too much. At first, it was funny, but then it felt like he was bringing up situations that I had spoken about with his girlfriend in confidence. Despite his dwelling on this untimely joke, my friend ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: How do I get someone who believes in tough love to understand that that does not resonate with me? For a long time, my siblings and I have had strained relationships with our mom because of how crass she can be. She has strong and often negative opinions, and she is not shy about sharing them. I was recently admitted to a two-...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like my 8-year-old son doesn't listen to me unless I raise my voice. I hate that yelling has become our norm. It leaves me feeling frustrated and guilty, and I know it's probably affecting him too. Small things like getting dressed, brushing teeth or cleaning up toys can turn into a major confrontation, and I end up ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently matched with someone on a dating app, and after chatting for a bit, we realized we work at the same company. It's a huge organization, so we had never crossed paths before -- until, of course, we suddenly started running into each other in the office after matching. We never acknowledged it directly, and since then, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently noticed that my partner still follows his ex on social media, and not only that, but he still likes most of her posts. They've been broken up for two years, and from what I know, she was the one who ended things. It's not like he's leaving flirty comments or anything inappropriate, but I can't help but feel uneasy ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I moved into a new apartment building recently, and while I love the location and my unit, I've been having a tricky time with one of my neighbors. They frequently leave passive-aggressive notes about noise, even when I'm careful to keep my music low and avoid loud activities. Sometimes the notes feel exaggerated or unfair, and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: This year has been extremely busy for me and my core friend group. No matter how much we try, it seems like every time we try to pick a time we can all be available to catch up and do something together, we fail. I recognize that being busy is not always something people can change, but still, isn't it important to make time for ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am one of the many people who have lost their job this year due to the pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. I have an advanced degree and decades of experience in my field, and it doesn't seem to matter. I am having a difficult time finding work in this environment. What's worse is that some of my "friends...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My manager has a habit of scheduling meetings that often run long, and they frequently overlap with other commitments on my calendar. Most of the time, these overlapping commitments are networking chats with colleagues. I know that my primary responsibility is to prioritize my manager and my team's work, but I feel like I'm ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am struggling to get my health on track. My doctor has warned me that I am prediabetic. I have seen other people my age who have diabetes and some of the side effects that come with it when treatment and diet are not taken seriously, but for some reason, that doesn't seem to be enough for me to change my own ways. I don't ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend and I have shifted from talking and texting most days to interacting only via social media. It didn't happen overnight, but at some point, I felt as though I was always initiating communication. I was in a tough season recently, and when I didn't have it in me to call or text loved ones, I realized I didn't hear ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think my son may be harboring some resentment toward me. We have a strained relationship, and even though I want us to be closer, the distance seems intentional on his end. If I try asking questions, he gets defensive or gives short responses only, and sometimes it turns into an argument or disagreement. On more than one ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: For many years, I worked in corporate America with a strict 9 to 5, Monday through Friday schedule. Recently, I made the switch -- as the economy demanded -- to working freelance. I now work in media and do a lot of event-based work. It is way more fast-paced, and my schedule is completely different every single day. I quite ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently joined a local photography club because I wanted to meet other photographers, improve my skills and share my work in a supportive environment. Most members are great, but one person has started posting some of my photos online without my permission and giving themselves credit as the photographer. It makes me feel ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friends are always pulling out their phones to take photos whenever we hang out, whether it's at dinner, a casual walk or even just hanging out at someone's apartment. I know it's normal these days, but I hate being in photos because I feel awkward and self-conscious in front of the camera. I never like how I look in photos, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 30th birthday just passed, and it was awful. I hate to sound ungrateful, but what should feel like a major milestone felt completely overlooked. Honestly, I've had a rough year, so I was OK with having a quiet birthday this year -- just some reminiscing, goal setting and maybe some quality time with friends. Someone asked me ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like a hopeless romantic. I am what some people would describe as a "lover girl." I am sweet and sensitive, and I enjoy nurturing, helping and catering to my loved ones. What I thought was a beautiful trait in me seems to be my weakness. I often get taken advantage of by my romantic partners. I can't tell if I am too soft ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend I've been thinking about cutting ties with for a while now, but I feel conflicted about it. I've noticed that the way he treats people, including me, is questionable. Whenever I need help or support, he seems to be conveniently busy or unavailable, yet he expects everyone else to drop what they're doing to be ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I accidentally referred to my friend with the wrong pronouns, and they snapped at me! We've been friends for nearly a year now, but I introduced them to some new friends and used the pronoun "she" to describe something about them. I felt awful. Just as quickly as I was about to correct myself, they were already yelling at me. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a college student, and I have moved several hours away from home to attend my dream school in New York City. I feel guilty for moving away from my family, especially since for the majority of my life, it's just been me, my mom and my little sister. My 10-year-old little sister keeps reminding me how much she misses me, and ...Read more