DEAR HARRIETTE: I am one of those people who tries to make a New Year’s resolution just about every year. As you might imagine, it doesn’t usually work. I stay focused for a week or so, but something always distracts me. This year I want to be better.

I really need to lose weight. It’s serious -- for my health. My doctor told me I had to do it, but I have tried losing weight in the past, and it always comes back. How can I approach weight loss differently so that I’m not set up for failure? -- Weight Loss

DEAR WEIGHT LOSS: Start by visiting a nutritionist to figure out the best eating plan for your body and your overall health. What you put into your body is how you start. Pay attention to what you want versus what the professional recommends. Do your best to eat only from the recommended list. That alone can make a huge difference. Avoid late-night snacking. Remove unhealthy snacks from your home. That way, you can’t fall into temptation. You can’t eat it if it isn’t there!

Next, create some kind of movement plan. Dr. Ian Smith of “The Doctors” told me he recommends that we all consciously add 30 minutes of movement each day. This ensures that no matter what else we do in a day, we have committed to getting our blood flowing for 30 minutes in a row. Believe it or not, many people do not do that. Too many of us are glued to our screens. For your health, you must get up.

Finally, promise yourself that you are worth it. Be gentle with yourself and also committed. Remind yourself each day that you are precious and deserve the best. Then give it to yourself.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I sometimes feel guilty because I still have my mom, while many of my friends have lost both of their parents. I sometimes feel like I shouldn’t mention her when I am talking to friends who don’t have parents, but that feels awkward too. How can I be sensitive to their loss and honor the fact that I still have my mom? -- Want To Be Sensitive

DEAR WANT TO BE SENSITIVE: Take your lead from your friends. Let them introduce what they want to discuss when you chat. When you have special news, such as a big birthday or some other remarkable experience about your mom, do share that with joy. Chances are, even if it pains them a bit to be missing their parents, they will feel happiness for your mom and for you. Make sure your stories are succinct and thoughtful without bragging. If your friends know your mother, they probably do feel that it is a blessing that she is living and are happy to hear good news about her -- just not too often.

(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: My adult siblings and I went on a trip to Italy last month. It was our first time ever traveling outside the United States, so naturally, I was excited about the experience. I thought it was going to be a fun and memorable trip, especially since we all usually get along pretty well. However, I quickly realized that things weren’t going to go as smoothly as I’d hoped.

This was the first time in over 10 years that we’ve spent an extended amount of time together. While we’ve always enjoyed each other’s company during shorter visits or family gatherings, being together for an entire trip brought up a lot of tension. My two older sisters, in particular, were at each other’s throats for most of the vacation. The constant bickering made it hard to enjoy the sights and experiences we were supposed to be sharing. I found myself caught in the middle, trying to mediate and keep the peace, but it was exhausting. I spent more time trying to calm everyone down than I did enjoying the trip. I had hoped this vacation would bring us closer together, but instead, it left me feeling drained and disappointed. Now that we’re back, my siblings want to plan another vacation so we can spend more time together. I love my siblings, but I’m hesitant about planning another big trip together. How can I address the issues that came up without causing more conflict? -- Family Conflict

DEAR FAMILY CONFLICT: You have to discuss this directly with your family. Share your frustrations that stemmed from the constant bickering and tension. Express your reservations about taking another trip together, given how emotionally exhausting it was for you. Ask them to share their experience of the trip and their honest thoughts about doing it again. Invite them to consider how they might behave differently to ensure that there is peace during the trip. Listen. You will learn if it’s worth doing again.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like I’m constantly giving to others but never have time for myself. I am a single mom. I have a full-time job and help care for my mom. How can I set boundaries and start prioritizing self-care without feeling guilty? -- Juggling

DEAR JUGGLING: As hard as it may seem in the beginning, you need to start putting yourself first. That may mean waking up an hour early to meditate, take a bath, drink tea, do some stretching or otherwise tend to yourself before your household wakes up. Train your family to give you quiet time in the morning and evening -- even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Ask for help. Know that you do not have to do everything alone, even as a single mom. Build a network with others who have similar needs. Arrange to babysit each other’s children and support however it’s needed. Pool your resources when necessary and schedule breaks so that everyone has a chance to decompress.

(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 having an issue with my neighbors and their new puppy. They recently got a dog, and while she’s adorable, they don’t seem to be doing a great job training her. The puppy keeps using my yard as her personal bathroom, and my neighbors never bother to pick up after her. At first, I tried to ignore it because I figured they were just getting used to having a new pet. However, it’s been weeks now, and the problem isn’t getting any better. I’ve noticed that there are more and more spots in my yard where she’s done her business, and it’s becoming a real nuisance. Not only does it look bad, but it’s also unhygienic, especially since I have kids who like to play outside.

I don’t know how to bring it up without sounding confrontational. I don’t want to create bad blood between us because we live so close, and I like my neighbors. At the same time, I don’t think it’s fair for me to have to deal with their dog’s messes. How can I tell them about this in a way that’s polite but firm? -- Dog Poop

DEAR DOG POOP: You have to set boundaries. Go to your neighbors’ house. Ask them to meet you in the yard. Show them their dog’s droppings. Tell them you need them to clean up after the dog immediately for your family’s health. Simple and direct.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently discovered that my new boyfriend snores, and I’m at a complete loss about what to do. We’ve been seeing each other for about a month, and everything was going great -- until last night, when we had our first sleepover. It turns out he snores loudly, and I absolutely cannot stand snoring. It’s not just a mild annoyance for me; it’s something that completely disrupts my ability to sleep. I’ve always been a light sleeper, and I know from experience that if I don’t get a full night’s rest, my entire day is ruined. Last night, I barely got an hour of sleep, and today I feel like a zombie.

I tried using earplugs, but they didn’t block out the noise entirely. I even considered sleeping in another room, but since we’re still in the early stages of dating, that felt awkward and a little too soon to bring up. Now, I’m starting to worry about what this means for our relationship. I really like him, and I can see potential for something serious between us, but I don’t know if I can handle his snoring long-term. I don’t want to overreact, but I also don’t want to sacrifice my own health and well-being for the sake of a relationship. Is it too early to bring up his snoring? How do I mention it without making him feel self-conscious or creating awkwardness between us? -- He Snores

DEAR HE SNORES: You are going to have to tell your boyfriend about his snoring and how it affects you. If you really can’t sleep with him in the room snoring, you will have to figure out alternative sleeping arrangements. Yes, that may be awkward at first, but it is necessary. You may also want to recommend that he ask his doctor about his snoring. He could have sleep apnea. If he drank a lot of alcohol before going to sleep, that could have impacted his breathing. Talk to him about it. Tell him you are sorry that snoring has this effect on you, but you needed to bring it up to him.

(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.)