DEAR HARRIETTE: I went on a cruise recently, and it was so much fun. It was a jazz event, so there was tons of great music every day. One terrible thing happened, though. My roommate got COVID-19 while on the ship. We don’t know how he got sick, but he did. It was a mess for a minute, but the ship sorted it out and gave me another room so that I could be separated from him. But now I’m freaked out. I don’t think I should go on a cruise again. I remember at the height of COVID, cruise ships were breeding grounds for illness, but I thought that was behind us. Do you think I’m being extreme? I ended up having to basically stay in my room for the rest of the cruise out of fear that I would get sick from the people walking around. -- Ship Quarantine

DEAR SHIP QUARANTINE: COVID-19 is not gone. That’s something we all need to accept so we can decide individually how we plan to protect ourselves. Of course it was scary to be on a ship where you could not leave when someone got sick -- especially the person you were rooming with. It's good to know that your cruise line has a protocol in place to create the healthiest environment possible.

Should you cross cruises off your list? Not necessarily, but you may feel more comfortable wearing a mask in public again, especially in confined areas -- whether on a ship or anywhere else. We have seen that masks cut down the infection rate of COVID-19 and other diseases. Use them wisely.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who suffers from an eating disorder. This is not news. She has been open about it for some years now, but it seems to be getting worse. She is such a smart and beautiful person. I just don’t understand why she can’t eat. It doesn’t make any sense. I offer to cook her food and meet her for dinner. She just picks at whatever is on her plate. At least today she is honest about the fact that she has a problem, but she never talks about exactly what she does to herself. I can just see that she is withering away. How can I help her? -- Friend in Need

DEAR FRIEND IN NEED: The fact that your friend has shared her challenge with you is good, because at least you have an entry point for conversation. You can ask her how she’s doing. You can continue to invite her for meals. Be mindful not to pass judgment. Just be a good listener and supporter. Because she has shared about her issue, she may be OK with you checking in to see how she’s doing and if she’s getting any help. Don’t probe, though. You have to recognize that you cannot change her decisions. It is completely up to her. You can offer your love and friendship and continue to let her know you want to support her.

For more information about eating disorders and how to talk to your friend, read this: bit.ly/3JsmxD4.

(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 pride myself on teaching my daughter how to honor her commitments, including holding confidential information confidential. She has demonstrated that she is good at that, and I am very proud of her. What I am not proud of is my own behavior. I could kick myself.

My daughter did something that made me feel good about her, and I shared it with my extended family when we were all together recently. Never mind that it was a sensitive matter and the whole point was that my daughter did not reveal the information to anyone as she helped a friend. I spilled the beans entirely, and then my sister congratulated my daughter on her good behavior, which let my daughter know that I had broken her confidence. What a mess! I immediately apologized, but the damage had been done. I know my daughter doesn’t feel like she can trust me to keep her secrets since I have proven that I cannot. How can I regain her trust? -- One More Chance

DEAR ONE MORE CHANCE: Sit down with your daughter and apologize again for telling her business to your family. Be clear with her that you aren’t making an excuse, but you do want to tell her what happened. Because you are so proud of her, you wanted to brag about her to the family. Of course that was wrong, and you realized it the moment the words came out of your mouth, but then it was too late. Promise that you will never make that mistake again. Ask for her forgiveness and for her to trust you again. It may take time for that to happen.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and I have totally different interests when it comes to what we watch on TV, and ever since the pandemic started we watch a whole lot of TV. We end up being in two different rooms for most of the time that we are at home together, getting fully absorbed into whatever each of us likes, hardly ever coming out to talk to each other. I don’t like this and don’t think it’s healthy for our relationship, but whenever we have tried to watch each other’s shows, it feels like a defeat for someone. What can we do to end up in the same room again? -- No Shared Screen Time

DEAR NO SHARED SCREEN TIME: Consider turning the TVs off -- both of them. Suggest that the two of you spend at least an hour each day or evening when all screens are off and you spend the time together. It could be over a meal or just being together talking. You can go a step further and suggest that on weekends you schedule time to go out together so that screens aren’t even a temptation. Recall what you two once enjoyed doing as a couple, and recommend one of those activities. Go for a walk or a drive in your hometown. Engage in activities with each other and sometimes with friends. This will help break the habit of retreating to your different TV rooms and will potentially spark renewed interest in interacting with each other.

(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 started seeing a therapist a few months ago, and I’ve been feeling much better ever since. Unfortunately, I’ll be 26 in a little over a month, and I’ll no longer be able to afford it without the help of my parent's insurance. My job doesn't offer any kind of health benefits. What can I do to keep up my progress under professional guidance without insurance or lots of money? -- Making Progress

DEAR MAKING PROGRESS: Talk to your therapist about a discounted price for you after your insurance runs out. Figure out what you can pay and ask if the therapist will accept that amount. Oftentimes, counseling professionals will work with patients when insurance challenges stand in their way.

Look around immediately to find insurance that you can afford. Do your research. Some teaching hospitals offer deeply discounted medical services, including mental health. Community health clinics sometimes offer affordable prices. You may even be able to find a free service. Do not give up. Shop around for an in-person option as well as an online one.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband is semi-retired, basically due to the aftermath of the pandemic. He has a job but hardly has to go in. I work for myself and have a few contracts that I service from my home office. It is frustrating for me to see my husband doing nearly nothing all day, including helping me or our household. Even if I work late, he rarely thinks to cook a meal or do anything to help. He just sulks. I suggested that he see a therapist to help him snap out of the doldrums. That went nowhere fast. How can I get him to have life again? The way he behaves today is almost like he’s lifeless. -- Dead Man Walking

DEAR DEAD MAN WALKING: Your husband may be depressed about his situation, especially if he used to work a lot and has now been sidelined. Perhaps you can encourage him to take up projects around the house. Ask him directly if he can handle a particular task. Then help him by gathering the tools needed, and encourage him as he tackles the challenge. When he finishes that one, suggest another. This may feel like extra work for you, but if it catches on, he may start initiating projects on his own. Do your best not to show your frustration. Instead, be upbeat and appreciative. This may help brighten his outlook and get him engaged again.

As far as therapy goes, do your own research to find a therapist who may work with both of you. Start going yourself so that you can get support for this new reality you are facing. Then invite him to join you and see if he is willing to make the effort with you to help strengthen your lives together for the future.

(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.)