DEAR HARRIETTE: How do I politely kick my son out of the house? My 24-year-old son lives with me and my husband in Phoenix. He recently graduated college and doesn’t want to leave our house, even though he has a job and makes enough money to be able to afford an apartment. He would just have to live a more humble life.

Right after he finished college, I allowed him to live with us because he hadn’t found a job yet. However, it's been two years since he found employment, and my husband and I think it's time for him to become more independent and move out. We love having him around, but we also think that living on his own will help him grow and mature further.

I want to approach this conversation delicately to avoid causing unnecessary tension or hurt feelings. We don't want him to feel unwelcome or unloved; rather, we want him to understand that this step is about his personal growth and development. We're proud of his accomplishments and confident in his ability to manage on his own. How can we communicate this to him in a way that is supportive and encouraging? -- Time To Move

DEAR TIME TO MOVE: Talk to your son about his plans for the future. What does he want for his life? How does he envision it? Does he want to buy a home? You might encourage him to save for a starter home and give himself a timeframe for when he will have the down payment. If he doesn’t have that vision, talk to him about independence and the importance of striking out on his own. Suggest that he give himself a deadline for moving out. You will always love and support him, but you believe it is healthy for him to live under his own roof and to begin to make independent decisions. Make it clear to him that he is always welcome at the family home, but it is time for him to establish his own home now.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Is it acceptable to deactivate my social media accounts without notifying anyone, particularly while living alone, to prioritize my mental well-being? As a person new to the corporate scene, and living alone in a bustling city, the constant influx of social media notifications and comparisons has been taking a toll on my mental health. I am feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly stay connected and maintain a curated online presence. I have been considering the idea of taking a break from social media to focus on self-care and personal growth. However, I worry about how my friends and family might react to my sudden absence on social platforms, especially since I live independently. I have no intention of causing concern among my social circle. -- Social Media Break

DEAR SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK: Yes! Shut them down. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for why you are putting social media on pause. Because you live alone, you may want to inform your “in case of emergency” person. Otherwise, the people closest to you should be reaching out to you personally anyway.

(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 am a 25-year-old woman, and I want to pursue a relationship with my childhood friend. He and I have been friends since we were 5 years old. We went to the same schools from elementary through college, and now we both live in Boston.

Over the years, our friendship has been a constant source of joy and support in my life. We've shared countless memories, from playing in the neighborhood as kids to studying for exams in college. He knows me better than almost anyone else, and I cherish the bond we have. Recently, though, I've started to realize that my feelings for him have deepened beyond friendship. I find myself wondering what it would be like to be more than “just friends” and whether there is potential for a romantic relationship between us.

The idea of exploring a romantic relationship with him excites me, but it also makes me anxious. I'm worried about the possibility of ruining our long-standing friendship if things don't work out. Additionally, I have no idea if he feels the same way about me or if he even sees me in a romantic light. I'm not sure how to broach the subject without making things awkward between us. How can I approach this situation? -- More Than Friends

DEAR MORE THAN FRIENDS: Drum up the courage to talk to your friend about this. Tell him that you have a sensitive matter to discuss, and you hope he is open to listen. Remind him of how much you value your friendship, and tell him you have been wondering if you two can be more than platonic friends. Admit that you are worried that bringing this up could damage your friendship, but you figured it is worth considering. Ask him if he has ever thought about the two of you as a couple or if he would consider it.

Don’t pressure him to make a decision on the spot. Have patience, and see what he says. If the answer is yes, explore the possibilities. If it is no, give yourselves some space, if needed, and then agree to remain friends.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently met someone who swept me off my feet. I haven’t had an intimate relationship for years, and just being around this guy turned me on. I got so caught up, though, that I think I scared him off. We were talking every day, sometimes well into the night, but a few days ago he stopped calling. Do I press him to find out what I did wrong or wait to see if he will come back? -- Hot

DEAR HOT: Trust your gut. It sounds like you pushed too hard already. Don’t do anything. If this guy remains interested in you, he will reach out. Meanwhile, don’t just sit and wait for him -- live your life. Be grateful that you have rediscovered your sensuality. Maybe that was this man’s role in your life, to reawaken you to yourself, not necessarily to be your partner. It could be that he served his purpose. Hold on to the good feeling that you got from engaging with him, but don’t try to make more of it than there is. Now calm down and open your eyes to see who might be a good partner for you. Don’t try to force anything; just be present.

(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 husband, who is 31, and I, at 29, tied the knot just two months ago. In this short time, he has resigned from two jobs and is now onto his third position. Despite the recent job change, he is already expressing complaints about the workload and seems to prefer procrastinating rather than tackling tasks head-on.

I'm unsure of how to address this recurring pattern and support him effectively. The constant job changes and stress-related complaints are beginning to take a strain on me and our financial resources. I do not want to sound too pushy, but I’m worried about the coming months if this pattern continues. -- Husband on the Job Hunt

DEAR HUSBAND ON THE JOB HUNT: Step back for a moment. What was your husband’s work life like before you got married? Did he have a steady job? Was he grounded in his work? How did he spend his time during the day? Then think about what has happened since you got married. What has changed? Talk to your husband about his situation, and ask him what’s going on. Gently probe to find out what started this pattern of quitting and restlessness. Talk to him about your plans as a family, and get a sense from him of what he wants long-term. If the two of you have discussed this in the past, remind him of your shared ideas, and talk about how you can get back on track.

Be serious when you talk to him. Let your husband know how disturbing his erratic work behavior has become and how it is impacting your household finances. If he shuts down when you attempt to talk to him, revisit the conversation again later. This is too important to ignore. You have to figure out a way forward that involves clear communication between the two of you about your life together and your future.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have developed feelings for my male� therapist, who has been providing me with counseling for anxiety and stress management. I find myself drawn to him in a way that feels like more than a professional relationship. While I appreciate his support and guidance in helping me navigate my mental health challenges, I am struggling with the ethical dilemma of wanting to ask him out. The thought of crossing this boundary feels inappropriate, yet I can't ignore these emotions. I'm not sure how to deal with this without messing up the therapy process. -- Falling for My Therapist

DEAR FALLING FOR MY THERAPIST: While it is not unusual for a patient to develop feelings for a therapist, it is not ethical for the therapist to reciprocate in any way. If you do not think you are capable of continuing to see your therapist in his professional role, you should ask him to refer you to someone else to counsel you. Then, if you still want to, you may broach the subject of going on a date.

Whether or not you end up dating this therapist isn’t so much the issue, but it will be hard for you to listen and work together if you are harboring feelings for him. Be honest with your therapist. If he is a true professional, he will help you find another therapist.

(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.)