DEAR HARRIETTE: Now that a lot of people are getting vaccinated, I see more people going outside, meeting up in groups and not wearing masks. This frightens me. We are not even close to being fully vaccinated yet. I get that people are tired of being cooped up at home, but I don’t think this is smart. Several friends have been calling, trying to get me to hang out with them, but I’m not ready. When I say that, they call me a scaredy-cat. Really? Do you think I’m being too cautious? Several of my friends passed away from COVID-19. One of them was older and unwell, but one of them was the picture of health and young, and he died anyway. I am scared. -- Reentry

DEAR REENTRY: First, I want to express my condolences for your losses during the pandemic. As of this writing, more than 537,000 people in our country have died, and the death toll has not stopped climbing even now as the vaccinations are reaching more people. You are not wrong to be concerned.

Most of us have been home for a whole year. Naturally, it is with some trepidation that we venture out socially, even if vaccinated. You are not wrong to be cautious. The good news is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has come up with guidelines for fully vaccinated people to help ensure safe reentry into daily life. It turns out, you can be in the company of other fully vaccinated people indoors without masks. You can be around unvaccinated people from the same household indoors without a mask. You should continue to practice social distancing with a mask in larger groups or when the space is not well-ventilated.

You can begin to engage socially, so you may want to take your friends up on their invitation if they, too, are vaccinated. Here’s more information from the CDC: bit.ly/2P16Vwf.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I had a big virtual birthday party recently. I decided to do it at the last minute, but it turned out great. I was inviting people up until the day before the party as I remembered them. As you can imagine, I forgot a few people. I have mainly gotten sweet messages from people who weren’t invited, wishing me a happy birthday. But a couple of people expressed sadness and upset that they weren’t included. It wasn’t intentional at all. I haven’t said anything to them because I don’t know what to say. I made a spur-of-the-moment decision and inadvertently left them out. What can I say to let them know that I do indeed care about them? -- Missed the Party

DEAR MISSED THE PARTY: Do not belabor the oversight as there is nothing you can do about it. Instead, you can reach back to the friends in question, thank them for their well wishes and express sincere regret that you didn’t tell them about your event. Assure them that you care deeply about them and appreciate their loving wishes.

(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 can’t get over the feeling that I wasted my time and money in college. I graduated three years ago, and I haven’t worked in my field or gotten even remotely close to it. My family is urging me to go and get my master’s, but I don’t want to waste even more of my time in school. Do you think it would be worth it to get my master’s? -- Sick of School

DEAR SICK OF SCHOOL: Without knowing your field of interest, I do not know if a master’s degree would be necessary for you. I can say that there are plenty of professional fields that now require a master’s in order for a candidate to be taken seriously.

Research your field of interest to learn what the job requirements are. Sadly, countless recent college graduates cannot find jobs in their fields -- or at all -- because entry-level jobs are at a premium and the economy is currently fragile. I know of many young professionals who are working jobs that are unrelated to their studies or interests. I pray that this changes over time, but the reality is that our world has changed dramatically since the pandemic struck. Many people, both new graduates and seasoned professionals, are being challenged to reimagine their futures.

I recommend that you create a vision board. Envision your future and what you want to make of yourself. Then plot a course to get there. Education is one route, but you may also consider entrepreneurship, apprenticeship or shifting your field of interest.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom recently remarried. I’ve never really gotten along with her husband’s kids -- my new stepsiblings. We are all grown adults. I am 25, and most of my stepsiblings are in their 20s as well -- the oldest is 30. They are very close with my stepfather, which means they are around quite a bit. My mom's feelings get hurt when I don't want to come over and see her, but I have no desire to be around any of my stepsiblings. Should I be honest with my mother and tell her that the reason I don’t come around as much is because of her husband’s kids? I don’t want her to repeat that to her husband. -- Not My Siblings

DEAR NOT MY SIBLINGS: Out of love for your mother, you have to figure out a way to visit her more and come to a friendly place with your stepsiblings. You don’t have to be friends, but you should be cordial. You should not tell your mother about your feelings regarding her husband’s children. That will only create a rift that is out of anybody’s control.

Think about your mother. She has found happiness with this man. Be happy for her. Decide that you will visit her, even if it is briefly, with some frequency. Also, invite her to do things with you so that you have one-on-one time. Adopt the attitude that you can build a respectful rapport with these people, too. Look for ways to get along.

(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 concerned about my dad’s eating habits. He is getting a bit older, and although he has no preexisting health conditions, he’s not in the best shape. He consumes way too much sugar and sodium, and he doesn’t get nearly enough exercise on a weekly basis. I’ve tried to help him, but he is stubborn and stuck in his ways. He feels that at his age, he is entitled to eat and live however he wants. I’m scared that if he doesn’t make a change, something bad is going to happen to him. How can I convince my dad to live a healthier lifestyle? -- Dad Needs Diet

DEAR DAD NEEDS DIET: Studies show that people who lead a sedentary lifestyle filled with sugar and sodium are setting themselves up for unhealthy bodies and disease. Sadly, one of the many negative side effects of COVID-19 on our communities is that many people have become more sedentary and not as mindful of what they consume. This is a recipe for disaster. Medical professionals point to lack of physical activity as having a direct effect on overall health and wellness. Being sedentary can lead to a host of diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even early death.

Talk to your dad. Tell him you want him to live and that you are worried that his current lifestyle is not pointing him in that direction. Get him reading material so he can see for himself. Here’s one helpful article: medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910#physical-dangers.

Invite him to go on walks, drink more water and change his diet. Keep encouraging him. Your positive attitude may inspire him to develop better habits.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I were on a break during Valentine’s Day. We’ve been together for two years, but we were having a bit of a rough patch last month, so we decided to cool things down for a minute. We are back together now, and things are just fine. My problem is that I’m upset with him for not doing anything for me on Valentine’s Day. He knows that I love that holiday. I understand that we were technically on a break during that time, but I also know he had every intention of getting back together. He could have done something small for me just for the gesture. I’m resentful because I felt completely alone and unloved on that day. Am I being ridiculous, or am I right to feel this way? -- Valentine

DEAR VALENTINE: Stop fretting over the past, and focus on the present. What do you like about your relationship? Why did you choose to get back together after your break? Evaluate the serious issues that prompted you to take a break in the first place, and decide whether you have adequately addressed them.

While Valentine’s Day can be fun, it’s a manufactured holiday. Your life is something different. Figure out what you want and whether your boyfriend wants the same things. Then work on building your bond better.

(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.)