DEAR HARRIETTE: My 23-year-old brother has asked me for a substantial loan to start a new business. While I want to help, I’m feeling uneasy about lending such a large sum. At 47, I’m more cautious about my financial decisions, and this request feels quite big. I’ve seen how starting a new venture can be unpredictable, and I’m worried that a possible financial setback could affect our bond if the money is not paid back. Additionally, I’m mindful of how this loan might impact my own finances and future plans. I’ve been considering alternative ways to offer support without directly lending the money. Perhaps helping create a solid business plan or connecting him with resources might be options. Any advice on how to address this would be great. -- Financial Family Feud

DEAR FINANCIAL FAMILY FEUD: Perhaps you can do a combination of things. First, tell your brother that you want to support him, but you are uncomfortable about doing exactly what he has requested. Being direct is important so that you don’t get his hopes up. Tell him that you have concerns. Explain what they are and offer your help designing a business plan that may set him on a strong course for his venture. Offer to create that with him. In this way, he can participate in the discussion and be invested in learning how to map out his business.

If you can, give him some seed money. What amount of money can you afford to give away? By offering him a small financial gift, you will be showing him that you support him, even though it is not at the level that he needs. Assure him that you want to help him in an ongoing manner that will prove more valuable over time.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m considering adopting a pet, but I’m feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about the commitment it involves. My dear friend recently passed away, and she left behind her beloved cat, Socks. Socks is both elderly and blind, and no one in my friend’s family is able to take care of her. I’ve always wanted a pet, but Socks’ special needs -- she’s slow-moving and requires extra care -- make me nervous about how this might impact my daily routine. I’ve never had to care for a pet with such specific needs before, and I want to make sure I’m fully prepared for the responsibilities involved. How can I make an informed decision about adopting Socks and ensure that I’m ready? I want to help her and provide the care she deserves, but I’m also concerned about how this will fit into my life and daily schedule. -- Pet Adoption

DEAR PET ADOPTION: Caring for a pet is a precious responsibility and should be viewed as such. As much as you want to protect Socks, unless you feel you have the time and tools to do so, you should not adopt her. Instead, help the family find a proper home for her where she will have whatever special treatment she requires at this time in her life. When you are ready to adopt, make sure you have the time and focus needed to care for a pet. If the pet has special needs, ask for guidance from an expert at your local animal shelter. Take this seriously. You are talking about another life.

(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’ve recently transitioned to working from home full-time, and I’m finding it challenging to separate my work life from my personal life. While my home office setup is functional, it has made it harder for me to switch off from work mode at the end of the day. I find myself checking emails or thinking about tasks long after my workday is supposed to end. I have often caught myself working late into the evening because my office space is so integrated into my living area. It’s been difficult to create a clear boundary between work and home life, and I feel like my productivity during work hours is starting to wane as a result. I want to establish a routine that allows me to be productive while also making the most of my downtime. How can I create effective boundaries and a schedule that helps me balance work and personal time, ensuring that I stay focused during work hours but also genuinely enjoy my time off? -- Work-From-Home Balance

DEAR WORK-FROM-HOME-BALANCE: Establish office hours for yourself, including breaks, and enter them into your calendar. Also, set alarms for key pivot points in the day -- such as the start of your day, lunch, breaks and the end of your day. Train yourself to turn off your computer when your day is complete, unless you anticipate some kind of extenuating circumstances that might require your attention. Turn off the light on your desk, and possibly cover it so that you cannot see your work papers. If you treat your workspace as singularly for work and shut it down entirely when you are not working, you will begin to think of it as a separate space even though it’s in your house.

DEAR HARRIETTE: After moving to New York to live with my mom, I’m finding it hard to meet new people and make meaningful connections. I’ve attended a few local events lately and joined some clubs, but I still feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. One recent experience was a networking event where I made some small talk but left feeling more isolated than connected. I’m looking for effective ways to network and create friendships without feeling like it’s a constant struggle. What are some practical tips for a 26-year-old trying to meet new people and build a social network in a new city? I’d appreciate any advice on making this transition easier and more enjoyable. -- Building a Social Network

DEAR BUILDING A SOCIAL NETWORK: Give yourself time. It takes a while to meet people and develop meaningful relationships with them. Continue to go to networking events, preferably in areas of interest to you personally and to your career. Look up activities that involve groups or even crowds. Take yourself to these events and make a plan to speak to at least three people while you are there. Go up to people who look interesting, and strike up a conversation with them. Learn something about the person. Share something about yourself and be willing to engage. Don’t give up.

(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 trying to start a daily journaling habit for personal growth, but I’m struggling to find the time and stay consistent. I really want to make journaling a regular part of my life, but it’s been challenging to fit it into my daily routine. I end up too busy or too tired by the end of the day to write, and as a result, I haven’t kept up with it as I’d hoped. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to make journaling a sustainable and enjoyable practice. Are there any tips for incorporating it into my daily life without it feeling like a chore? Also, based on your experience, do you think journaling is truly worth the effort? I’m eager to hear your perspective and any advice you might have on making this habit stick. -- Daily Journaling Habits

DEAR DAILY JOURNALING HABITS: Like any other new habit, you have to really commit to doing it. In the beginning, it will likely not be easy. It has been said that anything you do consistently for 30 days can take root as a habit, so consider giving yourself one whole month before you give up on your idea.

Nobody said you have to journal at night. Pick a time of day that works for you. Consider journaling before you get out of bed. Wake up, stretch, take a sip of water and write. Keep a journal at your bedside and write down whatever thoughts are coming up for you that morning. Words, phrases, sentences or even images may emerge. Write them down or draw them. Do this each day, and look back at your notes at the end of the day to see what you have harvested.

I find that journaling helps me to gain clarity around my thoughts and can provide direction for next steps if I pay attention to what I capture. It is definitely worth it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: This letter is regarding “Birthday Blues,” the person who wrote in about celebrating their birthday in a new city. Here's another suggestion for her, or for other introverts who dread their birthdays because their friends don't remember and they don't like spending it alone. For my birthday, I always invite three good friends to help me celebrate my birthday by meeting at a local restaurant. It saves them the embarrassment of forgetting my birthday, and it ensures that I will be spending my birthday with people I like. We each pay for our own meals, and it has become an annual event that we all enjoy. -- Introvert’s Celebration

DEAR INTROVERT’S CELEBRATION: I love the idea of planning your own special moment and inviting people to join you. This solves the worry of whether or not people will remember your birthday. Plus, inviting more than one person makes it more likely that people will show up. Finally, being clear that there is no expectation of anyone footing the whole bill takes the pressure off of your invited guests.

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