DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 47 years old, and I think I am having a midlife crisis. I am financially stable, I'm healthy and I have a great family, yet I am suddenly feeling very unsatisfied with my life. I feel as if I don't know what my real purpose in this world is, and that feeling really scares me. I have tried expanding my comfort zone and explored new hobbies to try to change this feeling, but nothing seems to be working. Is this a normal feeling? Do you have any ideas about how I can find my real passion in life? -- Midlife Crisis, Sarasota, Florida

DEAR MIDLIFE CRISIS: For some people, a midlife crisis is a real and terrifying experience. It can be unnerving to feel like you don't know what to do with your life. You do have choices. It would be smart to seek mental health support by going first to your primary care physician and getting a physical to ensure that your body is healthy. Ask for a referral for a therapist who can help you think through what's happening in your life. If you have a spiritual life, you may want to dive more deeply into your spiritual practice.

Another idea is to take a vacation. Go to a destination that you have dreamed about but never visited. Treating yourself to something you have longed to do may help relieve some anxiety.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My fiance and I have decided to move in together. We bought our first home a couple of months ago, but haven't moved in yet. We are in the decorating stage, and he and I have come to disagree on quite a few things. Basically, we have polar opposite design styles -- everything I like, he does not like, and vice versa. It has become a daily argument on what color the walls should be or where the couch should go. All of this stress does not seem worth it! Do you have any advice on how my partner and I can argue less and make this move-in process more enjoyable? -- Move-In Drama, Las Vegas

DEAR MOVE-IN DRAMA: This is an important challenge that you are facing. Just as you do not share design styles, there are likely other areas where you disagree. It is important for you to figure these things out and learn how to compromise.

Perhaps you can choose rooms that each of you can design any way you want. By having complete freedom in one space, you can exercise full creativity. Beyond that, agree to compromise. Pick colors together. Try the couch out in one area and move it around until you both are comfortable. Mix furniture styles. Yes, you can have mid-century modern and antiques side by side. Get creative with the intention of honoring both of your interests. There is an art to decision-making that you must develop in order to create joy and peace in your life -- especially when you disagree.

(Harriette Cole is a life stylist 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 have been dating the same guy for about a year now. We get along so well that I can really see a future with him. Last week, one of our mutual friends informed me that my boyfriend does not see a future with me at all. I was completely heartbroken and confused when my friend told me this and wanted to know why. After an hour of speaking, the bottom line was that my boyfriend will never marry me because I am not Jewish.

I always knew he was very religious, but I did not know that he would let his religion get in the way of a relationship. I am also wondering why he strung me along for a whole year if he did not see our relationship going anywhere. I am wondering what your opinion on religion and relationships is, and whether you think he is in the wrong for letting my feelings get this far. -- Led On, Ithaca, New York

DEAR LED ON: You need to talk directly to your boyfriend. At the very least, he needs to have the courage to talk to you about where he stands in the relationship. It is common for religion to stand in the way of a couple getting married and spending their lives together. This is because religion tends to define many people's values and ways of engaging the world.

In the Jewish tradition, the religion of the children will follow the mother's religion if a couple intermarries. Your boyfriend's family may not be willing to let his children be non-Jewish, especially if they are religious. The one way you could get around this is to convert to Judaism. This is an option that many couples choose and that you can consider. The thing is, you and your boyfriend need to get on the same page to determine whether you do have a future. You can work through anything if you do it as a team.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and I have been married for over 20 years. I have been the breadwinner in the family while my wife stayed home to raise our three children. Now that the kids have grown up and are all out of the house, my wife wants to start her own business. She has always been very health-conscious, so she has plans to open her own juice shop in Washington, D.C.

I think it is a great idea and have been supporting her in every way that I can. Even though I have been telling her this, she is still doubtful of her business capabilities and does not think she will be able to follow her dreams. Do you have any advice on how I can motivate my wife? -- Supportive Husband, Arlington, Virginia

DEAR SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND: Encourage your wife to get support through the Small Business Administration or a local women's business organization. She can join the local chamber of commerce, too. She should learn as much as she can about how to run a business before she starts hers. By meeting business owners in the area, she can gain insight into how others are managing, what challenges they have had, and what she can expect. Getting support should help her to be more confident and clear about her plans.

(Harriette Cole is a life stylist 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 have been a New York City girl my entire life. I grew up in the West Village, attended city schools and commuted through Manhattan for as long as I can remember. My parents let me take the subway with my friend as soon as I entered middle school, and I am very comfortable with the sometimes confusing NYC subway system.

I am about to leave for college, and my future roommate recently asked me if I am bringing my car up to school, and whether I plan on driving to classes. I was taken aback by this question because not only do I not have a car, but I don't even have a driver's license. Living in New York, I never saw the need for one. Do you think a driver's license is an important thing to have in your life? -- Need to Drive, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR NEED TO DRIVE: As someone who moved to New York City after having learned to drive, I am a big proponent of driving. It gives you a level of independence that can serve you well. I also know that many New Yorkers never learn to drive, and it often isn't an issue for them. New York City has an excellent public transportation system, between the subways and the buses.

What you should find out is how important being able to drive is at your new school. It could be that you will need transportation there. Since you do not have a car, consider bringing a bike. At some schools, navigating campus alone can be a challenge because it is so vast. In terms of learning to drive, I'm 100 percent for it!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend and I are very close. We spend a lot of time together and know basically everything about each other's lives. He is also very involved in the "druggie" crowd. He loves taking drugs for recreational purposes, as do many people. Over the past couple of months, I believe my friend's drug problem has gotten out of hand, and he needs help. I have tried, his girlfriend has tried and other peers have tried to talk to him about stopping with the drugs. I think it has gotten to the point where his parents need to be involved. Do you think I will ruin our relationship if I am the one to go to his parents with the bad news? I know I will be doing what is best for him, but I don't want to lose him as a friend. -- Tattletale or Saving Friend's Life, Baltimore

DEAR TATTLETALE OR SAVING FRIEND'S LIFE: You may have to sacrifice your friendship in order to save your friend, at least in the short term. You are right that he will be livid if you tell his parents about his drug use. He will likely feel betrayed and lash out at you -- if he learns that you told them.

But if your tip to his parents results in his getting the help that he needs, it will be worth it. Do not delay!

(Harriette Cole is a life stylist 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.)