ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have always had a fear of heights, which has made me hesitant to try things that involve being up high. However, one item on my bucket list has been going skydiving in Dubai, and I'm determined to conquer this fear. I know that facing my fear head-on would be a huge personal achievement, but the idea of jumping out of an ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been fighting with my sister about her behavior around me and my family for years, and it's reached a breaking point. I have two daughters, ages 7 and 9, and every time their aunt comes to visit, I'm left feeling frustrated and upset. My sister has a habit of using crude language, making inappropriate jokes and displaying ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter has become consumed by social media and seems to measure her worth by the number of likes and comments she receives on her posts. Initially, she just wanted to learn how to use social media to promote and sell her collections, such as bags and shoes, but it's now affecting her self-esteem. My family and I have noticed...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I really love pets, especially cats, and I always make sure they're well taken care of by taking them to the nearest vet to keep them healthy and safe. Recently, my neighbor asked me to look after her cat for what she said would be a few days, but it's now been four weeks, and she still hasn't returned. While I love animals and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 30-year-old woman, and my parents are constantly pressuring me to get married. The truth is, I don't want to -- ever. I've made a conscious decision to focus on my own passions, dreams and personal growth instead of pursuing a traditional path. However, this choice has been met with disappointment from my family, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate and his girlfriend constantly bicker, and I always end up being dragged into the middle of their arguments. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm being forced to pick sides when I don't even want to be involved at all. To make matters worse, I can't help but feel bad for his girlfriend because, frankly, my roommate...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been friends with this guy for two years, and over time, I've started to feel like our connection might be more than just friendship. He's always been kind, thoughtful and supportive, and I really enjoy spending time with him. Lately, I've caught myself looking at him differently and wondering if he feels the same way ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been trying to declutter my home for months, focusing on makeup, dresses and other items that no longer serve a purpose, but I keep getting stuck. Every time I start sorting through my belongings, I find myself emotionally attached to certain things, even though they're no longer necessary. The challenge is especially ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've rented a bed space in Manila, Philippines, while pursuing my master's degree, and I share the space with a roommate. While I appreciate having someone to share the rent, her habit of leaving a mess in our shared bedroom area is becoming unbearable. I am the type of person who always wants to maintain a clean and tidy space -...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My partner has become increasingly glued to his phone, even during family time with our child. It's frustrating to feel like he's prioritizing his screen over meaningful moments together, especially since we already have limited time to connect due to our busy schedules. To address this, I decided to implement a no-phone rule ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a new mother, and I feel like I can't do anything right. I just had a baby boy, and while I love him more than anything, the adjustment to motherhood has been painful and difficult for me. It seems like no matter how hard I try, I'm always falling short, whether it's soothing my baby when he cries, keeping up with housework ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I got pregnant later than expected, people started asking why it took my husband and me so long to have a baby. Soon, many began offering their opinions, suggesting that we should have more children. I feel overwhelmed by all the comments, especially since they don't understand our situation. It's as if they think they have ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 60-year-old mother of two adult sons, ages 38 and 32. Both of them are completely dependent on my husband and me for financial support. My husband and I have always been relatively well-off, and we never hesitated to provide them with everything they needed and wanted as they grew up. I felt it was a way to show our love ...Read more

DEAR READERS: Happy Thanksgiving! This time of year is always a favorite for me as it stands for family, community, good food and positive energy. I believe we all can appreciate a big dose of all of that right now! I trust that you are choosing to put yourself in the company of people who love you. There is nothing better than experiencing love...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in the middle of planning my wedding, and as part of that, I've always dreamed of having a bachelorette trip with my closest friends in Italy. However, my bridesmaids, who I thought would be as excited as me, have expressed concerns about the trip. Many of them have said that it's simply too expensive, and that with the cost ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom and dad were happy celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. Everything seemed perfect until a few days later, when my dad became distant and cold toward my mom. She started noticing the changes in his behavior, and then she found out the truth: My father has been cheating on my mother and hiding a baby that resulted ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: After the presidential election, I learned that my roommate and I do not share political views. I am sad now, and she is elated, and it is really hard to move forward. We argue whenever we talk. We have such different opinions about our world and our politics. I feel like it isn't safe to be in my house because the way we think ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am currently working hard to complete my MBA degree, but the people around me are telling me to stop because of financial constraints. They say I should take a break to avoid the stress and costs. I've been juggling work almost day and night to make this happen, determined to finish my degree. I even have plans to pursue a Ph.D...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the youngest of five siblings, and although we're all adults now, I feel like my older siblings still see me as the baby of the family. No matter how much I accomplish, they continue to treat me like I'm inexperienced or don't know what I'm doing. It feels like they'll never see me as a capable adult even though I have a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm in a really tough spot with my two best friends. Recently, they had a huge falling-out over something pretty serious, and it's escalated to the point where they're not speaking to each other. They've each been confiding in me about their side of the story, and while I've been trying my best to listen and be supportive, it ...Read more