DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently put myself out there and started dating again. I have been a single mom for most of my son’s life. He is now a junior in college, so I thought it was time. I have used a reputable dating app. Already I have met two interesting guys, but it hasn’t turned out very well. In each case, the guy acted like he was head over heels in love with me almost instantly. Wooing me, wining and dining, being the perfect gentleman -- all the things that I value -- and then crickets. It seems like everything just went too fast. I don’t really know how to date anymore. It has been so long. I don’t want to give up, though. What else do I need to do to be willing to put myself out there but also protect myself? -- Dating Again

DEAR DATING AGAIN: Slow down. Chances are, the advice you have given your son about getting involved in a relationship is what you should follow yourself. Take the time to get to know whoever you go out with. Even if the person is completely enamored with you, take it slow. Make it clear what you want, and find out what he wants. Be specific. Sometimes people just want to have a little fun. Other times, the desire may be for a long-term relationship. Figure out what you want, and put that on the table from the start. Don’t let your guard down completely in the beginning. Give it time. Your date has to earn your trust. It’s great for him to be excited by you, but if you are looking for the long game, stay calm and pay attention. Just don't give up.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I went on a work retreat for my new job. One of the bonding exercises was to go hiking. I am way overweight and inactive. I don’t walk, run or anything else, but I got into it and made the commitment to get fit. I’ve been walking a little bit every day since we got home. Everything was going well, but then I woke up one day feeling like crap. My legs hurt so bad. My energy is gone. I’m worried and mad. I thought this was going to be my time to turn my life around, but now I’m stuck in bed and in pain. Is it too late for me? I feel like I’m letting myself and my colleagues down. Everybody was cheering for me. -- Two Steps Back

DEAR TWO STEPS BACK: Make an appointment to see your internist. It’s time for you to get a complete physical along with an examination of your legs to make sure that your body is stable. It could be as simple as the fact that you used muscles that have been ignored for years, and they are reacting as they “wake up.” It could be that a medical challenge is revealing itself. Find out what’s going on in your body with your doctor’s help. Then discuss a healthy fitness routine that you can incorporate into your life right now that will help get you to your fitness goal. Consider this a minor setback. You have started your journey toward a healthier body. You can do this.

(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: A man that I met on a dating app is much shorter than he let on in his dating profile. I feel that it isn't right that he wasn’t honest about his true height. We ended up hitting it off very well, but it still bothers me that he lied to me during the chatting process. Is it rude of me to mention this? -- Deceptive Date

DEAR DECEPTIVE DATE: Do not ask this man about his exaggeration on the dating site. Most people beef up some things when they are presenting themselves to others. We all want to be accepted, and often there is something about ourselves that makes us feel that we may be rejected. His issue is his height.

If you still like him now that you have learned he is shorter than he said, let it be. It may come up at some point, but don’t rub it in his face now. The good news is that you do like him.

A woman I know who put a very old photo of herself up on a dating site got her feelings hurt doing that. She is at least 50 pounds heavier than she was in the photo she used. She and a man she had grown to like over prolonged phone conversations planned to meet in a public area. She saw him approaching her from a distance. As he grew near to the meeting point, she saw him look at her and keep moving. They never spoke again. So there is risk in lying about yourself, especially your appearance. For now, anyway, it seems that you and this man have a chance to learn whether or not you are compatible. Don’t let his lie about height kill the potential dream before it manifests. Watch and see.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just joined a startup where most of the staff members are about half my age or younger. Of course, I am there because of my expertise. The owners seem to like me a lot, but I feel a bit uncomfortable. The other employees could easily be my children. So far, none of them is senior to me in duties, but I know that’s only a matter of time. How can I stay relevant when I’m surrounded by a group of smart, know-it-all young people -- even when they don’t know what I do? -- Aged Out

DEAR AGED OUT: It sounds like your insecurities are unfounded, at least right now. A healthy work environment often represents multiple generations of employees, where each person has something unique to bring to the company. For a startup to have the vision to understand that you are as important as the native digital employee is smart.

I recommend that you change your attitude about yourself. Embrace all that you know, who you are and what you bring to your job. Hone your ability to share your knowledge in a natural, noncompetitive way. Work collaboratively, recognizing that your younger colleagues have knowledge and capabilities that you may not have. You can actually learn from each other. An organization that I work with, Encore.org, specializes in encouraging what they call “co-generational” engagement. You should check it out.

(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 co-worker cannot do a single thing correctly. I have had to take the helm for him time and time again, but I only do it because I like him so much. He is a really sweet person, but he is not a competent worker. He is simply not capable of doing the work he is required to do. I’ve considered having a talk with my boss about possibly letting him go and finding someone who could do the job better. Keeping him around is honestly just a waste of money and time at this point. Is it my place to have this talk? -- Incompetent

DEAR INCOMPETENT: Is there any other job that this employee could do at your company? It sounds like he is not the right fit for his current job, but since he has such a wonderful disposition, it may be worth finding something else for him or allowing for extensive coaching to get him to the point of being capable of doing this job.

I once worked with an employee who was the kindest person you could ever meet. He had the right attitude and limited skills. It was frustrating at first to give him instructions that would be bungled rather than properly executed. His attitude was the driving force that led me to keep him. Over time -- a long period of time -- he became competent at everything on his list. Moreover, he was an asset to the company because of his extraordinary people skills. Talk to your boss about what you have observed about this employee -- the good and the bad. Find out if your boss will grant him space to stay, perhaps in a different capacity.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am an artist. My career is 100% dependent on my creativity. I'm worried that someday I will run out of ideas. What advice do you have for creatives who are worried of burning out early in their career? -- Worried Artist

DEAR WORRIED ARTIST: What is your process for making art? Think about that, and consider formalizing your approach to artmaking. Where do you find your inspiration? Consider scheduling a morning meditation or run or research on a topic of interest -- something that focuses your energy.

Decide that you will make art every day, no matter what. When you establish discipline, you create space for your inspiration to manifest. You may not come up with award-winning ideas daily. There may be days when nothing emerges at all. But if you commit to making art one day at a time, you set yourself up for success.

Many artists supplement their work by teaching. You should consider that as well. Do research into your local high schools, community colleges, colleges and universities. Find out what the requirements are for becoming an art teacher. Some institutions may require graduate degrees. Others may be more lenient. By putting yourself in the role of teacher, you will have another way of coaxing forth your own creativity as you invigorate creativity in others.

(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.)