ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: Today I saw and smelled someone smoking crack on a subway platform near to where I was standing. I was stunned. I know it happens all around my city -- in theory -- but I've never truly witnessed it in real time, only the aftereffects of it. What could I have done in that moment to help that situation? The subway platform was ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've always admired public speakers. I have a desire to sit on a panel and share my thoughts, but a part of me struggles with courage, and another part of me questions the authenticity of this desire. Is it OK to aspire to be a speaker, or is that a role that should be granted to someone based on their professional or academic ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My family has never taken my acting career seriously, and it's starting to wear on me. I've been dedicated to acting for 15 years, performing in multiple plays and constantly working to improve my craft. However, I've never landed a leading role, and because of that, my family sees my passion as more of a hobby than a real career...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who never tips when we go out to eat, and honestly, it's starting to bother me. I understand it a bit more when she's at a cafe and ordering at the counter, but even at full-service restaurants where the waitstaff is taking our orders, refilling our drinks and bringing out our food, she doesn't tip at all. I find ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm worried about my husband. We recently moved to a new town for my job, and I can tell he's having a hard time adjusting. We lived in our previous town for 15 years, and now we're halfway across the country. While I knew the transition would be difficult, I don't think either of us fully realized just how much it would affect ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend's daughter has been struggling with her mental health for some time now, and it's difficult to watch. She recently made the tough decision to withdraw from college for the semester because she was feeling overwhelmed, and now she's unsure if she wants to go back at all. It's heartbreaking because she's such a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My long-term partner and I have built a wonderful life together, but there's one major issue we can't seem to resolve, which is whether we want kids. He's always wanted to have children, and I've always been sure that I don't.

In the beginning of our relationship, this wasn't a big topic of discussion, but now that we're getting...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been dreaming of traveling solo for a while now, but every time I bring it up, friends and family warn me that it's too dangerous. They tell me that I should wait until I have a travel companion or join a group trip. While I understand their concerns, I don't want fear to hold me back from experiencing the world on my own ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: A couple of months ago, I got back into the dating scene after focusing on myself for a while. I met a handsome guy who goes to church, has a good job and is ambitious and sweet. Dating him has been great, and it's exactly the sort of romance I prefer. I decided to open up to my friends about this new person, and I learned that a...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been seeing this guy for a few months now, and while I like him, I'm unsure about taking the next step. Recently, he brought up the idea of making our relationship official, but I have some reservations. One of the biggest issues is that he's always gone. He travels frequently for work or other commitments, and I feel like I...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom passed away this year suddenly and tragically. I am still in shock about it. I was her only child. All we had was each other, and that's all I let her leave with. I never graduated from college or had a great career; I never bought her a house or helped her move out of the one she raised me in. I feel like I failed her, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: What do you do if you're a bridesmaid, but the wedding expenses are mounting? This is my best friend's wedding, and I'd hate to miss out, but some of these things are too demanding: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, dress, hair, makeup, alterations and more. The list of events and expenses just keeps growing. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I need help dealing with a co-worker who shares way too much about their personal life. Every day at work, they corner me with long-winded stories about their relationship drama, family conflicts, financial struggles and even embarrassing medical details. At first, I listened out of politeness, but now it's become overwhelming. I...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been going to the same hairstylist for years, and while she's always been kind and reliable, I've started to feel like her work just isn't what I want anymore. The haircuts and color never turn out quite right, and I find myself walking out of appointments feeling disappointed more often than not. I know I should probably ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: When it comes to relationships, I feel completely lost. I'm a 35-year-old divorced woman with two children, and while part of me feels like I might be ready to step back into the dating world, another part of me is terrified. My relationship with my ex-husband ended painfully, and I don't want to go through that kind of hurt ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm having roommate troubles and could really use some advice. My roommate refuses to buy any of the shared household items in our apartment, like trash bags, dish soap, paper towels and cleaning supplies. At first, I didn't think much of it, but over time, I've realized that I'm always the one restocking these essentials, and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just moved back to my hometown. After college, I moved to Georgia to teach. I didn't really know anyone there. I had a few estranged cousins I rekindled with, and I made friends with some of my co-workers, but that was about it. I lived in Georgia for three years before the loneliness started weighing on me, so I decided to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been dating someone for almost two months now. Earlier this week, my date suggested going out to celebrate my 35th birthday. It's been a while since I've celebrated my birthday with a woman I'm involved with, and quite frankly, I was flattered.

My birthday came around, and my date took me to a fun restaurant with great ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently returned to work after maternity leave, and I'm finding it difficult to focus. All I can think about is my baby, and it's affecting my productivity and ability to be present at work. I love my child deeply, but I feel guilty about not being able to fully engage in my job, which has always been important to me. Even ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Despite my disapproval, my brother is dating one of my close friends. I don't have anything negative to say about either of them individually, but I just prefer not to cross those lines where my separate worlds intertwine. These types of scenarios make me fear ending up in the middle, and that is exactly what's happened between ...Read more