DEAR HARRIETTE: During the pandemic, I got wrapped up in watching movies and series on Netflix. I can’t even tell you how many shows I have binge-watched. Plus, there are the old movies, new films and documentaries I consumed. I really got into it, so much so that I am still hooked. My friends invite me out to do things with them, but I usually decline because I want to watch something on a streaming platform. I have even gone to work late more than a few times because I stayed up all night watching endless episodes of something that caught my eye.

I think this is a problem. I know it’s nothing like drinking or doing drugs, but it still is out of control. I need to be able to have a social life as well. Right now, it’s mainly just me and my TV. How can I break away? -- No More Binge-Watching

DEAR NO MORE BINGE-WATCHING: Turn off the TV and sit still for a moment. Ask yourself what you want for your life. Who do you want to spend time with? What makes you happy outside of the rabbit hole of streaming? It may take a bit for you to concentrate on things other than the entertainment you have been consuming, but you can do it. You can also set time limits around when you allow yourself to have the TV on. Create boundaries. Write out a schedule for your day that includes all activities, including work, exercise, eating and fun. Schedule in time with friends and, whenever possible, time outside of your house. You can wean yourself off of these shows. It starts with getting up and walking away from the screen.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son wants to go into the military. On one hand, I can see how it might be good for him. He lacks structure in his life, and I believe he will have no choice but to learn discipline in order to survive while in the service. Still, I can’t help but worry that this is a dangerous job. I know people who have served over the years. Some were killed in the line of duty. Others came back with severe mental or emotional trauma. Some are OK, I guess. You don’t hear as much about the ones who didn’t have problems.

This is my boy. I don’t want to see him get hurt, but I do want him to grow into a responsible man. I think the military might help. What do you think? -- Military Man

DEAR MILITARY MAN: All parents worry about their children. No matter what, you want to protect your child from harm. You are right -- there is a lot of structure in the military. If your son needs rules, regulations, guidelines and schedules to sharpen his focus, the military may be perfect for him. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. It’s hard work. If he wants to do it, encourage him. He should also think about what type of work he would like to do afterward. The military offers lots of training opportunities that can set people up for professional success upon discharge.

(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: This year has been challenging for me. I started having heart palpitations and couldn’t figure out why. After a bunch of tests, the doctor could not necessarily pinpoint the root cause of my problems, but he did tell me to stop drinking coffee because it seems to make my heart race. The thing is, I absolutely LOVE coffee, and I haven’t been able to follow my doctor’s orders. I do feel my heart racing sometimes after I drink it, but I still can’t help myself. I don’t want to create a major health problem for myself. I stopped doing the other things that the doctor warned me about. Why can’t I keep just one vice? -- Addicted to Coffee

DEAR ADDICTED TO COFFEE: You have to come to terms with your reality. Sure, it may be hard to break a habit that you enjoy so much. But is it worth risking your health and possibly your life? Think about that seriously.

Talk to your doctor about alternatives. Find out if decaf coffee or a half-and-half mixture of regular and decaf is an option for you. There are also teas that have a rich flavor that is similar to coffee but that aren’t as full of caffeine.

Until you have figured out exactly what is going on in your body, you should follow your doctor’s advice. To learn more about the causes of heart palpitations, read this: hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/palpitations.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just had a huge fight with my husband for the gazillionth time. The arguments all seem to blur together after a while. We say the same things, yell about the same topics and resolve nothing. The next day, he always acts like nothing happened, but it is hard for me to let go of the fact that he just finished cussing me out or belittling me the day before. He says I interrupt him all the time and blame him for everything.

I don’t see his side at all, and I can tell he doesn’t see mine. When I have asked him repeatedly about going to counseling, he vehemently refuses, even though he used to go to counseling himself years ago. I am at my wit’s end. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells. If I say the wrong thing, he will explode. How can I go forward in peace? -- No More Eggshells

DEAR NO MORE EGGSHELLS: Just because your husband won’t get counseling doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Get some help sorting through your issues. A professional therapist should be able to listen to you, ask questions that get you thinking and make recommendations for healthier ways to engage with your husband. If you begin to change the way that you interact with him, it may prompt change on his part as well.

As you have experienced, an escalating argument is rarely the way to solve problems. Seek help to learn other strategies for effective communication with your husband. As you see results, invite your husband to join you.

(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 have been married for two years. My husband and I live in Europe, and our families live in Africa and America. While we love the fact that we can live abroad during our younger years, it is hard to manage building our lives together and seeing family regularly. Time and money become major issues.

So far, we have had to go separately to visit them. I know that’s not ideal, but we can’t yet afford to do two big trips for both of us annually. My in-laws seem to think that I don’t want to visit them. They have said to my husband that I don’t like them, and that’s why I haven’t gone to Africa to see them. That is not true.

How do I show my interest in getting closer to his family, even though I can’t travel there right now? -- Making an Effort

DEAR MAKING AN EFFORT: Let technology support you. If your in-laws use smartphones, you can use any number of technologies to help you make video calls where you talk with them and you can see each other. WhatsApp is free and has a video feature. Similarly, FaceTime allows you to video chat if you have an iPhone. I’m sure there are many others. Schedule regular calls -- once per month, or more frequently if you think you can be consistent. Offer what you can manage. This will show your commitment and respect for them. Tell them stories about your life together and ask them about theirs. Build a natural rapport with them. This should help foster closeness.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter is independent, even though she is relatively young. She is a rising sophomore in college. When it was time for her to go back to school -- a plane ride away -- I had to be out of town. My husband helped her get herself and her things to the airport. She was fine, but I was talking to a friend who told me that he escorted his son of the same age on a plane to his school to help him unpack and get organized. I felt like a terrible mom after hearing this. Was I wrong to let my daughter fend for herself? -- You Can Do It

DEAR YOU CAN DO IT: Comparing yourself to others is a surefire way to create unnecessary doubt and confusion in your life. You don’t know what that other student required in order to get settled into his school year or any other reasons your friend felt the need to get on that plane with him. Focus on your own child. How did your daughter manage? Did she feel supported? Did she manage to get her things in order in her dorm room or apartment? If she has lingering issues or needs, tend to them with her. Helping your daughter learn to be independent is one of the most important gifts you can give her. Even if she had some bumps along the way in travel or setup, that’s OK. She is learning. That is good.

(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.)