DEAR HARRIETTE: After passing the job final interview at one of the biggest companies in the United States, I’ve been struggling with imposter syndrome. Although I was chosen for this role because of my experience and skills, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not good enough. I worry about making mistakes or being “found out.” To address this, I’m trying to focus on small wins -- like completing tasks ahead of schedule or receiving positive feedback from my team. I’m also reminding myself that no one is perfect and everyone has a learning curve. That said, I’ve noticed that my boss occasionally gets irritated when certain aspects of my work fall short, especially as he’s relying on me to carry forward an important project. This has added to my self-doubt, but I’m determined to improve. Any advice would be a great help. -- Imposter Syndrome

DEAR IMPOSTER SYNDROME: Give yourself a timeline to learn new tasks and build a rapport with your boss. When things don’t go right, be the first to admit it, and ask for guidance to help you understand your mistakes. Everyone messes up on occasion. A sign that you are capable and learning is that you pay close attention and figure out how not to make the same mistake twice.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend recently proposed to me, and to my surprise, I said no. It wasn’t because I don’t love him or because I don’t want to marry him; I absolutely see a future with him. When the moment happened, though, I froze and said no.

I had always dreamed of a special, thoughtful and romantic proposal -- something that reflected the love and connection we share. Instead, it felt rushed and unplanned, almost as if he hadn’t put much thought into it. He didn’t even have a ring. While I know that material things aren’t the most important part, it felt symbolic of the lack of effort. We were just sitting on the couch when he casually asked me, and I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in how unremarkable it was. I’m worried that I hurt his feelings or made him question our relationship. He hasn’t said much about it since, but I can tell he feels rejected. I want to marry him, but I also want to feel like that moment is as meaningful and special as our relationship. I don’t want him to think that my "no" means I don’t care about him or our future together. -- Will I Marry Him?

DEAR WILL I MARRY HIM?: There is no way your boyfriend will be able to figure out why you said no unless you tell him. Start by saying that you do want to build a life with him, but you were caught off guard by the casual way in which he asked you to marry him. Tell him how you have imagined a marriage proposal and how his overture seemed unplanned and nonchalant. Know, too, that people have different views of what a marriage proposal should look like; that doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with what the marriage will be like over the years. You two need to get on the same page. Tell him how you feel, and explain what you appreciate in terms of special events. If you want romance, make sure he understands what that looks like.

(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 had a hot-and-heavy romance with a man earlier this year, and then it just went cold. We were totally into each other until he stopped being kind. At first, this strong man actually seemed sweet, or at least sweet on me, but then something changed. I’m not sure what happened, but I haven’t been able to get him to talk to me about it at all. I’ve tried to do things that would reignite the spark we had, but now I feel stupid for trying so hard. These days we talk only if I call him and maybe lure him over with a meal or a present. Pathetic, right? But I’m finding it hard to let go. What should I do? It’s like he got my heart, but then he discarded it. -- Brokenhearted

DEAR BROKENHEARTED: Take a deep breath. Assess the situation as objectively as you can. From what you have described, it seems as though you had an exciting love affair that ran its course. By your account, it is over. Now you have to accept that. No matter how good it was, if he is not behaving in an attentive, loving, reciprocal manner anymore, he is not worth your time. You absolutely should not have to bribe him with gifts in order to get him to pay attention to you. Walk away. If he tries to come back, let your expectations for a relationship be known.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mother was recently diagnosed with dementia, and she has had a rapid downhill decline in the past few months. While she does have insurance, I have had to pick up the slack for most of the additional expenses, and I’m quickly running out of money. It is horrible how expensive everything is. I used to think I had some money, but now I understand that a health crisis can wipe out a whole life savings.

My brother and I do not have the capacity to care for our mother anymore. She wandered off while living with him recently. Both of us have to work, so there’s nobody at home during the day. That said, I won’t be able to foot the bills for a caretaker for much longer. I love my mother more than anything and want to do right by her. What can I do? How can I help her when I’m running out of money? -- Turning Point

DEAR TURNING POINT: Talk to your mother’s insurance company about options, and call assisted living facilities with memory care units to discuss the cost to move your mother there. Speak to state officials about state-sponsored health care for the elderly. Through Medicare or Medicaid -- depending on your mother’s age and financial status -- you should be able to find a place for her to live that will meet your financial requirements. It may not be as comfortable as the home of you or your brother, but help is available. To get direction on resources to help your mother, go to: alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/find-local-services.

(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: Returning to New York City after five years abroad is both exciting and overwhelming. The thought of the logistics -- flights, packing and navigating the city -- makes me anxious, and it’s taking away from the joy of planning my trip. I want to enjoy the experience, but I feel like there’s so much to consider. To ease my anxiety, I plan to break everything down into manageable steps, like booking flights and making a packing list ahead of time. I’ve also realized that anticipating everything can lead to worry, so I’m trying to remind myself that not everything has to be perfect. A few mindfulness practices like deep breathing or taking short breaks could help calm my nerves. Finally, I want to remind myself that this is a fresh start, and embracing the adventure will help me get through the overwhelming moments. How can I shift my focus to the excitement of returning to NYC and starting anew? -- Travel Anxiety

DEAR TRAVEL ANXIETY: Give yourself some grace. Step one is to make sure that you leave no loose ends as you move your life from abroad to back home. That should be your focus, and it sounds like it is. Your plan is strategic and manageable. Be proud of that. Also, take the time to get together with people you have grown to care for so that you say farewell in meaningful ways.

As you pivot, reach out to a few friends from home and set up get-togethers so you don’t feel isolated after you return to the city. Don’t overload your calendar. You will likely be tired when you get home and need space to acclimate. Continue to practice your mindfulness exercises, and be sure to take in your surroundings. You have plenty of time to get excited about NYC. It’s the nature of the town!

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went on a three-week vacation where there was no cell signal, and I decided to disconnect from my phone completely during my stay. I also chose to take a break from social media to focus on my mental health and reset. However, now that I'm back, I feel disconnected from my friends and the latest updates. While the time away was refreshing, I miss staying up to date with what's happening in the world and maintaining my social connections. I want to stay informed without the pressure of constantly checking social media. I know I need balance, but I'm not sure how to reenter without going overboard. -- Disconnected Return

DEAR DISCONNECTED RETURN: Do your best NOT to jump back into a world of being bound by social media. You got out of it! Rejoice. Establish a new rhythm for engaging with your friends. You may be seen as aloof at first, but that’s OK. Tell your friends you miss them and would like to see them in person. Plan face-to-face get-togethers. Decide that it is cool to be in each other's physical presence, and continue to be disciplined about social media engagement. You will thank yourself. Plus, the mystique you created when you went away and cut the digital connection will remain.

(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.)