DEAR HARRIETTE: A few months ago, I was offered a job abroad in a city where I’ve always dreamed of living. The position was exciting and well-paying, and it aligned perfectly with my long-term goals. When it came time to decide, I panicked. I worried about being far from my family, not knowing the language and whether I could really handle such a big change on my own. I turned it down. Now I can’t stop thinking about it. I feel like I let fear make the decision for me, and I’ve been stuck in the same routine ever since -- same job, same neighborhood, same unfulfilled feeling. Everyone keeps telling me, “You’ll get another chance,” but deep down I don’t know if that’s true. I can’t stop wondering what my life could have looked like if I’d just been a little braver. How do I stop obsessing over what I missed out on and start building a future I’m excited about again? Is it too late to take a bold leap, even if it’s not the same opportunity? -- Push Past Fear

DEAR PUSH PAST FEAR: Rather than obsessing over what didn’t happen, look to the future. What do you want for yourself? How did that opportunity reach you in the first place? When you dream about your life, how do you envision it? Why not create a vision board where you put images and words that highlight your dreams? Be brave enough to put it all out there on this collage that you make, and then pursue it.

You might start by taking a vacation to your dream country to see whether it appeals to you as a potential home. Take baby steps to determine your interest. Most important: Don’t give up. A bold leap can happen step by step.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend recently brought up the idea of starting a TikTok account as a couple. He’s always been into content creation, and he thinks it would be a fun way for us to bond, grow a following and maybe even make some extra income. I know it means a lot to him, and I want to be supportive of his creativity, but honestly, the idea makes me uncomfortable. I don’t like putting my personal life on display, especially not in front of strangers online. I’m also worried about the pressure it could put on our relationship, having to curate “cute” moments, keep up with trends or maintain a certain image just for views. It feels like turning something intimate into something performative, and that just doesn’t sit well with me. At the same time, I don’t want to rain on his parade or come off as unsupportive. I know how much this excites him, and I don’t want to be the reason he gives up on something that could bring him joy or success.

Where do I draw the line between being encouraging and betraying my own comfort zone? Is there a compromise we could reach that honors both of our needs? -- Social Couple

DEAR SOCIAL COUPLE: Tell your boyfriend the truth: You want him to be happy, but it makes you uncomfortable to put your personal business out on social media. You support him in his endeavors as a content creator as long as he limits how much of you he includes, but unfortunately, you cannot join him in a joint TikTok.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m feeling really terrible because I forgot my best friend’s birthday, and now she’s not speaking to me. We’ve been best friends for over 10 years, and I’ve never missed her birthday before. This year, I ended up working a double shift the day before her birthday, and I was so exhausted that I slept basically the entire next day. By the time I realized what day it was, it was already late, and I had completely missed the window to call or even send a text. I tried reaching out the day after with a sincere apology and even sent her a small gift and a message explaining what happened, but she hasn’t responded. I get that birthdays are important, and I genuinely feel awful for forgetting, but I also wish she could see it for what it was: a one-time mistake, not a reflection of how much I care about her.

Now I’m stuck wondering if this one slipup is going to ruin our entire friendship. Should I give her space and hope she comes around, or should I try harder to make it up to her? I don’t want to seem pushy, but I also don’t want to let our friendship fade over something that wasn’t intentional. -- Missed Birthday

DEAR MISSED BIRTHDAY: If this one slipup ruins your friendship, there is something deeper going on. Sure, it’s hurtful that you missed your friend’s big day, but it is not the end of the world. Think about the situation. Is there anything else that could be fueling your friend’s pain? Are you an attentive friend? Have you forgotten important engagements with her in the past? If you have behavior that needs to improve, commit to doing that. For now, you have to wait for her to come back around.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a neighbor who, while I know he means well, is nosy and doesn’t seem to understand boundaries. He’s retired and spends a lot of time outside, so he notices everything that happens on our street and especially around my house, since I live across from him. For instance, if I leave my garage door open for too long, he’ll call or text me to let me know, even if I’m just in the middle of cleaning or unloading groceries. If someone stops by my house like a friend or even a delivery person who lingers a bit, he’ll make a point to call and ask who it was, especially if it's someone he doesn't recognize as my husband or kids. He’s not aggressive or rude, just overly involved in things that aren’t his concern. He once even mentioned that he keeps an eye on our property "just in case anything ever looks suspicious." While I understand the intention might be protective, it honestly feels more invasive than helpful.

I don’t want to be unkind or start any neighborhood drama, but it’s getting to the point where I feel like I’m being watched every time I pull into my driveway or have someone over. Should I tell him to stop? -- Nosy Neighbor

DEAR NOSY NEIGHBOR: You are being watched, and you cannot control that. You do not have to respond to his every overture. Let the phone go to voicemail when you are busy. Don’t tell him who your guests are. Stop being so responsive. This may help him to back off a bit.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently ran my first half marathon, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. I had been training for months, and over time, running became more than just exercise; it became a passion, a stress reliever and something I truly looked forward to each day. It gave me structure, confidence and a sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in a long time. Unfortunately, not long after the race, I had a bad fall and broke my ankle. My doctor says I’ll need several weeks to heal, and even after that, it’s unclear when I’ll be able to return to running at the level I was at before.

I’m absolutely devastated. Not only do I feel physically limited, but I’m also struggling emotionally. Running gave me a clear outlet and helped me feel strong and capable; now I just feel stuck. I miss the routine, the goals I was working toward and the community I had started to build through running. I know I should be grateful that this injury is temporary, but right now I’m finding it hard to stay positive. How can I cope with this loss of a hobby that brought me so much joy? How do I stay mentally strong and maybe even find purpose while I recover? -- Injured

DEAR INJURED: Create a wellness calendar with clear weekly goals. Put your all into your recovery, including physical therapy, at-home exercises and healthy, nutritious eating. Meet new people wherever you go, including at therapy. Strike up conversations with folks who are struggling just as you are. Make the absolute most of the moment by engaging with those around you. Don’t give up on your goal to run again. Just recognize that the road to recovery is long. Pay attention to the little victories along the way. This will help you to stay motivated.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband is a procrastinator. Anything important that needs to get done, he puts at the bottom of his list of priorities. When I mention that he needs to pay attention to something, he shrugs it off and gets snippy with me. This includes getting an annual physical. My husband is getting up in age, and I’m worried that he doesn’t even have awareness of his health status. How can I get him to take these things more seriously? Right now I’m tied up in knots worried that something terrible is going to happen. I don’t think he has had a physical for more than five years, just as an example. -- Make a Move

DEAR MAKE A MOVE: Do you think your husband would go inside if you surprised him with a doctor’s appointment? Try it. Schedule an appointment and take him to the doctor. He may be mad at you, but at least he will have had the appointment -- assuming he goes in.

Beyond that, sit down with him and tell him you are concerned and want him to get a physical so that he has an evaluation of his health. He can decide what he wants to do about whatever he learns, but the American medical system is known for its excellent diagnostics�. Encourage him to take advantage of that for your peace of mind.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)