DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been seeing someone casually for a few years. I stopped seeing him when I got into a serious relationship, but when that relationship ended, we began seeing each other casually again. Up until recently, we had never had a physically intimate relationship. Ever since we introduced physical intimacy into our casual relationship, he seems to be very interested in being exclusive with me.

I don’t hate the idea of being in a relationship with this person, but it’s a little strange that he’s suddenly serious now that we’ve been intimate. Could this be a bad sign? Would it be foolish to explore a relationship with him, given the circumstances? -- Curious

DEAR CURIOUS: It could be that he was always interested in being more serious with you but didn’t know how to say it. It could be that crossing that barrier into physical intimacy was a game-changer for him. I’m old-school, so I believe that should represent some degree of commitment. I think it’s a very good sign that this man considers this an opportunity to deepen your bond.

It is time now for you to step back and consider what you want. You have enjoyed this man’s friendship for years. Now the dynamics have changed. Do you like where you two are? Can you envision a future with him? What do you want? Once you are clear about that, ask him what he wants. Talk to him. Get vulnerable in your conversation and figure out what’s next. This may be your moment together.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who copies everything that I do, literally. This has been going on for a long time. We grew up together and went through high school in the same class. That’s when it started. She would go out and buy my favorite top or get her hair cut the same as mine. It was annoying back then, but now, some 10 years later, I have noticed that she is still doing it.

We don’t see each other much -- intentionally on my part -- but we are still connected on social media. Last month, I got a brand-new hairstyle with a new color and cut. I noticed that she posted a photo of herself this week with a look identical to mine. It was creepy to me. We are grown women, and she’s still copying me! Should I say something to her? We barely speak or see each other these days, yet here she is, still clinging. -- Let Go

DEAR LET GO: If you really want to separate yourself from this woman, consider blocking her from your social media. That way, at least she won’t be able to observe you directly. However, if she is hellbent on being your clone, she will still find a way to do so. If that is the case, what you can do is let go of any emotion you have toward her. Just let her be. For whatever reason, she is fan-girling you. Let her do that, and live your own authentic life.

(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: One of my employees cannot take constructive criticism or own up to her mistakes at all, no matter how minor. She is a great employee, but every time I attempt to correct her on her mistakes, she gets defensive and argues with me. I am not sure if this is an ego problem or if she genuinely doesn’t understand me, but I am her boss, and she shouldn’t just argue with me whenever I give my feedback. Even as I think about addressing the issue of her argumentative nature, I fear that she will argue with me about that as well. How do I handle this? -- Stop Arguing With Me

DEAR STOP ARGUING WITH ME: Consider issuing a company-wide notification that everyone will be receiving an annual review of their work over the next few months. Note that this is standard procedure for most companies and your way of checking in with everyone. Under the blanket of doing this for everyone, reach out to this employee. When she begins to bristle, point out that she has to go through this process just like everyone else.

During your review, start by praising her for the work that she does well. Be specific in listing her attributes, qualities and actions that you consider admirable. Then tell her you are now going to address the areas that need more attention. Tell her directly that you have a problem with the way that she receives feedback. Let her know that constructive criticism is a natural and important part of any job, and you need her to be able to listen and consider feedback when it is given. Ask her how she prefers to receive feedback: in person in the moment, or in an email or memo. Ask her if she knows that it is hard for her to accept feedback from you. If so, ask her why that is and what you can do to make it easier for her.

By the way, if you don’t want to do the company-wide review, you can just let her know it is time for her individual performance review and get ready to duke it out a bit.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am losing my male friend to his relationship. My best friend in the entire world is a man, and I am a woman. We have been friends since we were small children. I understood that our relationship would change when one of us got into a relationship, but I was never prepared for how drastic that change would be. We went from speaking and hanging out every day to sometimes hanging out as a group. (His girlfriend is always included.)

I feel so lonely and empty not being able to spend time with one of my only true friends in this world. He assured me that nothing would change between us when he began dating this woman, but it obviously has. How do I cope? -- Losing My Best Friend

DEAR LOSING MY BEST FRIEND: What’s happening to you is normal and natural even though it hurts. Friendship dynamics change when one friend gets into a serious relationship. Often there is tension and pain, at least in the beginning. It’s also natural that his girlfriend might be uncomfortable with you two hanging out together alone like you used to. This may change over time, but they have to settle into a groove first. You will probably have to expand your circle of friends or be willing to become part of their larger friend group.

(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: A friend of mine has been telling me for a while that she is losing her memory. I spent the weekend with her, and now I know what she means. She asked me the same questions over and over again. I would answer them, and a couple of hours later she would ask the same thing. It was frustrating for me, in part because it is new to me. As we were talking together that weekend, I would try to build on a point, but it never worked because I always had to go back to the beginning.

I had never had an up-close and personal experience before with someone who is losing their memory. I don’t really know what to do about it. How can I support her? She is married, and her wife seems to be pretty chill about everything, but I am sure that it is a problem. How can a friend support her? -- Memory Loss

DEAR MEMORY LOSS: As someone who loves your friend so much, it is good for you to think about how to support her now. As you have pointed out, she already knows she is suffering memory loss. You haven’t said what she is doing about it. It would be good to find that out.

According to Rush University System for Health, here are recommendations on how to approach her if you discover that she hasn't sought professional support:

1. Plan what you want to say.

2. Choose a time when you won't be rushed, and a setting that is quiet and unthreatening.

3. Be compassionate and helpful, not judgmental.

4. Problem-solve together; don't dictate.

5. Try to come up with tangible, agreed-upon next steps.

6. Ask for help from a doctor, social worker or family member if necessary.

Because your friend has confided in you that she knows she has a problem, speaking up and encouraging her to get help may be exactly what she needs from you -- that extra push to take the next step. To learn more, go to: rush.edu/news/talking-about-memory-loss.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband passed away last year during the depths of COVID-19. It was sad -- and made worse because I couldn’t grieve with my loved ones. I have been doing OK, working to clear out his stuff from the house and trying to get my life together.

The other day, I ran into a guy I had dated years ago. He was at a picnic that I attended with some old friends. We started talking, and it was nice. I gave him my number, and we went out twice. I think I like him, but it’s weird. My husband has only been gone for a year, and because of COVID, a lot of people are just now learning about his death. How can I date someone else when his death is so fresh for me and for people who knew us as a couple? It feels so complicated, but I do like this man. -- Moving On

DEAR MOVING ON: Be honest with this man. Tell him that you are enjoying his company and would like to continue to see him. Point out that it feels complicated because of your husband’s recent death and the fact that you are still managing other people’s discovery of that sad news.

Do not turn him away. Instead, ask him if he is willing to see what happens as time goes on. He may have the disposition to be able to handle the questions from others, as well as the emotions you will experience when encountering them and as you deal with your own grief. Let time tell you what’s next.

(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.)