DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I have been dating for four years. For a while, it felt like we were building a life together -- a real future. We dreamed together. Aside from the love we shared as romantic partners, we were both ambitious and helped push each other along in our careers as well. Over time and after much trust was built, we began exploring business ventures together. Like any business, we’ve experienced ups and downs, but overall, I’ve loved the process of entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, though, I think my feelings for my partner have changed. Our relationship has become mundane. We are not as romantic or as happy as we used to be. I don’t feel like a priority to him anymore, and he seems a lot less ambitious than he used to be. It feels like we’re different people now and at different stages in our lives, and I’m not sure I see a future for us anymore. The thought of having shared businesses, though, is keeping me from making the hard decision.

I keep ignoring my unhappiness because we are so heavily financially involved. Should I try to make things work, or is it possible to have a platonic business relationship with an ex? -- Turning Point

DEAR TURNING POINT: Check your legal documents to ensure that you know your standing in all of your business ventures. Then talk to your boyfriend. Tell him you do not feel like your romantic relationship is currently working. Find out what he thinks. You may just need a reboot on your relationship. Don’t be too quick to walk away. No matter what, it will take time to talk through your feelings and come to an agreement on the way forward. Let him know where you stand. If you want to stay in business with him but not as his romantic partner, be clear about that. Time will let you know if you can work together under these new conditions.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A couple of months ago, a close friend and I decided to move in together. We began our hunt for housing and found the perfect place with separate bedrooms and bathrooms for each of us. This sounded great to me because the trouble with roommates usually happens in the shared spaces. We signed a yearlong lease, and we enjoyed our first month there decorating, cooking together and more. The second month rolled around, and my roommate didn’t have her share of the rent and claimed to have been laid off. She only admitted this to me once I asked why she was late on payment. She’s now asked if I can spot her so that we do not lose the apartment. She says she can begin a payment plan with me and close it out as soon as she gets another job.

I would love to stay here, but paying for both of us is not what I signed up for. Should I help a friend who may seriously be in need, or should I be suspicious? -- Next Steps

DEAR NEXT STEPS: Check your lease to determine your liability. Suggest that your roommate ask her parents or other friends to spot the rent. Do your best to get her to find the money elsewhere. Find out how long you have before eviction. Sit with her and make a concrete plan for staying in the apartment. Don’t just take on her debt.

(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 been an aunt since I was 9 years old. I am 29 now, the youngest of five sisters and an aunt to 11 nieces and nephews. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the default babysitter. I live at home with my mom, which seems to be a prime location for all of my sisters when they need parental relief. Sometimes they show up unannounced or with short notice and simply tell me they need someone to watch their children for a few hours -- or sometimes overnight. I think because I do not currently have a partner or children, they assume I am always home or available. If I tell them otherwise, they ask if my social engagements are as important as my nieces or nephews. I don’t like that they always expect me to cancel plans at their behest, but I’m not allowed to expect them to plan ahead.

Lately, I’ve been saying no more often. Even when I am free, I’d prefer to be alone. I’ve noticed that sometimes they plan outings without me and say, “we thought you wanted to be alone.” I’ve tried explaining to them, for years now, that all my free time being dedicated to child care is overwhelming -- especially when I am not yet an actual mother -- but they tell me I’m insensitive and say I’ll understand how they feel when my time comes. I think this dynamic has pushed me to be defensive with my siblings and not as joyous with my nieces and nephews. I want all these relationships to be more amicable, and I want my sisters to understand my boundaries. How do I get them to see my side? -- Tired Auntie

DEAR TIRED AUNTIE: Speak to your siblings. Remind them how much you love them and their children, but point out that you have your own life. Explain that as much as you like to help them -- sometimes -- you do not appreciate their assumption that you are always on call to care for their children. Ask them to take a more respectful approach this year, where they inquire about your availability and schedule child care ahead of time rather than treating you like their on-call sitter.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have an assistant who works remotely. I recently figured out that she takes personal breaks whenever I am at an appointment or otherwise not at my desk. When I called her on this, she admitted that she uses the time to care for her young child. I explained that we work on the honor system. I expect her to work during working hours. She may sometimes need to tend to her child, but it cannot mean hours during the day. I feel like she is taking me for granted. How do I get her to recommit to the schedule? -- Slacker

DEAR SLACKER: Tell her you feel that trust has been broken by her since she is not working when she should. Let her know that you need her to rebuild that trust by doing her work on time and being present during all working hours. That doesn’t mean she can’t occasionally care for her child, but it doesn’t work for her to be primary care provider and full-time employee. Give her a timeline to work out her schedule. If she cannot do so effectively, replace her.

(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.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m in my 20s, and lately, I’ve been struggling with a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out). Most of my friends are in a position where they can afford to go out regularly, whether it’s dinners at trendy restaurants, nights out at bars or even weekend getaways. I am on a much tighter budget, and I can’t keep up financially. I see their group pictures on social media or hear them talking about the fun they had, and it’s a constant reminder that I’m missing out. They invite me to join, but I often have to make excuses or decline because I simply can’t afford it. I’ve tried suggesting cheaper alternatives, like movie nights at home or potlucks, but they seem more interested in going out and spending money.

I don’t want to isolate myself or seem like a boring, broke friend; at the same time, I’m trying to be responsible with my finances and prioritize my long-term goals, like paying off student loans and saving for the future. How can I deal with these feelings of FOMO? -- Managing Relationships

DEAR MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS: Congratulations on working to be responsible for your life, especially in the face of the great temptation to try to hang with your friends who have deeper pockets. It is not easy to keep your eyes on your goals, but you are doing it.

Look at your friend group, and identify who you feel closest to. Confide that you would like to spend more time with them, but you simply can’t afford it. Ask if that person would ever consider doing alternative fun activities that don’t require too much money. Open your eyes to see who else in your orbit would enjoy your company. It may be time to expand your friend group so that you push past FOMO and create your own experiences.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’ve been married to my husband for a year, and I love him, but I’ve come to realize that he has a lot of unresolved issues from his childhood that still affect him today. He grew up in a tough environment, and while he’s worked hard to build a good life for himself, I can see how the pain and trauma from those early years linger in his behavior and mindset. He struggles to open up emotionally and often bottles up his feelings until they come out in bursts of frustration or anger. I believe therapy could help him work through his challenges, gain some peace of mind and improve his overall mood and outlook on life. The problem is, whenever I bring up the idea of therapy, he shuts it down immediately. He says he doesn’t need it, that he can handle his issues on his own and that therapy isn’t something “real men” do.

It breaks my heart to see him carrying such a heavy emotional burden, especially when I know how much better he could feel if he allowed himself to seek help. How can I encourage my husband to consider therapy without making him feel like I’m criticizing him or questioning his masculinity? -- Therapy Now

DEAR THERAPY NOW: Be patient. It may take time for your husband to consider therapy. Meanwhile, look for books that may provide insight into dealing with childhood trauma that may open his eyes. One title, “Healing Childhood Trauma,” by Robin Marvel, may help, and it is even available as an audiobook.

(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.)