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 My family and I have noticed that she’s becoming increasingly anxious and withdrawn whenever her posts don’t perform as she expects. While I understand my daughter’s desire to succeed online, I want to help her develop a healthier relationship with social media and encourage her to focus more on real-world connections and accomplishments. I want to offer guidance, but I don’t want to seem dismissive of her goals. How can I help her manage her social media use while fostering a more positive outlook on herself and her work? -- Social Media Pressure

DEAR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESSURE: I believe that the biggest challenge to positive self-esteem today is social media. People of all ages who engage in an online presence seriously grapple with the amount of attention they receive and what it means to their business, their psyche and their lives. You mentioned that your daughter uses it for her business. Encourage her to share with friends, colleagues and others she meets in person that she has an online store. Balancing the personal with online can help her to connect to actual people.

She may also want to choose times during the day when she will not be connected to social media and create a discipline for when she fully engages. Unfortunately, the reality is that if she needs social media to drive her business, she may not be able to detach from it as much as you would recommend.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have struggled with body image issues for years, even though I was always fit before getting married. My husband and I had a baby soon after marrying, which caused me to gain weight, and I’ve been struggling with it ever since. Despite trying various diets -- like low-carb, intermittent fasting and calorie deficits -- I often find myself returning to high-carb foods. Recently, the pressure to look a certain way has become overwhelming. Whether it’s from social media or comments from others, I feel constantly judged. I want to focus on self-love and acceptance, but it’s difficult to quiet the negative voices in my head. I’m searching for ways to feel confident in my own skin and break free from these insecurities. -- Body Image Insecurities

DEAR BODY IMAGE INSECURITIES: One important fact for you to consider is that your body will continue to change throughout your life. That is natural. Having a baby changes your body dramatically, and often the “new you” is never quite like the you from before giving birth. That is not bad; it’s just true. It is smart to eat well and exercise, but also to give yourself grace and acknowledge that your body is an ever-changing landscape, and that’s OK. It’s normal.

(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 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 have been doing my best to care for the cat, this wasn’t something I agreed to. It’s starting to become a strain on my schedule and finances, and I’m concerned about the added responsibility. I don’t want the cat to suffer due to my neighbor’s lack of responsibility, but I really don’t know how to address this with her without creating conflict. -- Unexpected Pet Responsibilities

DEAR UNEXPECTED PET RESPONSIBILITIES: This is no time to be passive. Call your neighbor and tell her that you have cared for her cat for as long as you can; it is time to return and take it back. If she says she is unable to take her cat back, tell her you are sorry, but this is her responsibility. Perhaps she should call an animal shelter or place an ad to find a new home for the cat, but your home is not an option.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and I have made the decision to move our family to Barcelona. We have three teenage daughters -- aged 14, 16 and 17 -- who are attached to our current home in Phoenix. They’ve made it clear that they’re not happy about the move because they love their schools, their friends and the familiarity of the community we’ve built here. We completely understand their concerns, especially given their ages. Uprooting them during such formative years feels like a big risk, but we truly believe this move is the best decision for our family in the long run.

My wife is originally from Spain, and for years she has dreamed of returning to her home country. It has taken longer than expected to get everything in place, but the opportunity has finally presented itself. We’ve found work, housing and schools in Barcelona, and we’re excited about the new experiences and cultural exposure this move will bring. Still, we’re struggling to strike a balance between what feels right for us as parents and what feels fair to our daughters. They’ve accused us of being selfish and not considering how this will disrupt their lives. How can we help our daughters see the value in this move while still respecting their emotions and concerns? -- Uprooted

DEAR UPROOTED: It is perfectly understandable that your daughters feel upset by such a dramatic move at this formative time in their lives. There’s probably little you can say to make them feel better. If you have the resources, you should see if you can arrange for them to visit friends in a year or offer to bring a friend over to visit.

Once your family gets to Barcelona and begins to settle, chances are, they will have dynamic experiences that will make them feel comfortable and excited. Stay resolute with your decision, and talk about the opportunities in Spain as you also acknowledge how tough this transition is for everyone.

(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 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, especially since I grew up in a traditional household. As the eldest, I spent most of my childhood and teenage years helping to raise my younger siblings. I had to take on a lot of responsibility, including tasks that I felt should have been my parents’. It wasn’t just physically exhausting, but emotionally draining, too.

I often felt like I didn’t have a childhood of my own. This experience shaped my mindset, and I made a vow to myself that once I was older and independent, I would never subject myself to the pressures of having a family of my own. This decision feels right for me, but I can’t help but wonder if it sounds selfish to others. My family sees marriage and children as essential parts of life, and their disapproval makes me question whether I’m being unfair or letting them down. How can I make peace with my decision and help my parents understand my perspective without feeling guilty? -- No Kids

DEAR NO KIDS: You are an adult, and you get to make your own choices. Yes, your parents and others may dislike those choices and may pressure you, but they cannot force you to do anything.

You also do not have to make a decision for life at this moment. I vowed that I would not have kids in reaction to a negative experience I had as a child. I was resolute. Something changed many years later. I had my daughter at age 42, and I am grateful. You do not know what the future holds, but you also do not have to be forced to change your mind. You can ignore their comments and live your life.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently joined a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental efforts, including tree-planting projects, as part of our school activities. I was initially excited to contribute to such an impactful cause and give back to my community in a meaningful way. However, I’ve noticed that the group dynamic feels cliquey, making it hard for me to feel like I truly belong. I’ve tried engaging with the members and participating in their discussions, but I often feel overlooked or excluded, which has been discouraging. What should have been a rewarding experience has instead become stressful and isolating. I genuinely believe in the organization’s mission and want to contribute to the cause, but I’m unsure how to improve these group dynamics without unintentionally alienating anyone. -- Bad Charity

DEAR BAD CHARITY: Human dynamics often muddy otherwise great causes. If you feel this organization is worth it, give it time. It takes a minute to find your tribe within any group. Observe others and notice who best matches your temperament and interests. Then make the effort to connect with them. Over time, if it never feels welcoming, continue to give to the cause financially, but step away personally.

(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.)