DEAR HARRIETTE: I grew up as an army brat, and while there were many positives to that experience, it also came with significant challenges that I’m still grappling with as an adult. My family moved frequently during my childhood -- sometimes multiple times within a single year.

Each time we moved, I had to leave behind friends, schools and communities I had just started to get comfortable with. I learned to adapt quickly to new environments, but I never stayed anywhere long enough to develop deep, lasting friendships. Now, as an adult, I’m realizing how much that transient lifestyle has shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand before. I find it difficult to make long-term connections with people. Even when I meet someone I get along with, I often hold back emotionally because I’m so used to the idea that relationships are temporary. I worry that I’ll come across as distant or uninterested, but the truth is, I’m just afraid of getting attached and losing someone again.

This struggle has left me feeling isolated, and I’m not sure how to break the cycle. I want to build meaningful relationships, but I don’t know how to overcome the mental barriers I’ve built over the years. How can I work through these challenges and start forming deeper, more lasting connections with others? -- Making Friends

DEAR MAKING FRIENDS: The good news is you know why you have reservations about building lasting bonds: You moved all the time. Are you now stationary? Have you been living in the same place for some time, and do you plan on staying there? If so, chances are great that the people you befriend will be staying there as well. When you meet people you like, give each other grace. Perhaps this can be a meaningful friendship. Perhaps it can last. Trust your instincts. If you are getting along, believe that the connection will continue.

Consider getting therapy as well. A psychologist may be able to help you unlock those fears and create space for deeper trust.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend, “Hannah,” has developed a passion for painting and dreams of becoming a professional artist. While her work is full of creativity and potential, her relatives have been dismissive, insisting that she can’t make it big and discouraging her from pursuing art as a career. Their words have shaken her confidence, making her doubt her ability to turn her passion into a successful profession. Despite the criticism, she is determined to follow her dream, but it’s hard for her to tune out the negativity. I want to support her and help her stay focused on her goals, but I also worry about the challenges she might face in such a competitive field. -- Creative Dreams

DEAR CREATIVE DREAMS: I interviewed Phylicia Rashad about this topic a few weeks ago, and she said that art is the language of all cultures. When people look to understand what cultures valued and how they lived, they look at the art of that community.

Tell Hannah that her art matters. She should research how she can earn a living making art. Many people do so successfully. Be her cheerleader.

(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 always had a fear of heights, which has made me hesitant to try things that involve being up high. However, one item on my bucket list has been going skydiving in Dubai, and I’m determined to conquer this fear. I know that facing my fear head-on would be a huge personal achievement, but the idea of jumping out of an airplane fills me with anxiety. Despite this, I am committed to pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and I believe that overcoming this fear would help me grow in ways I’ve never imagined.

Still, I am torn between my desire to fulfill this dream and the overwhelming fear that has held me back for so long. I want to make this experience a reality, but I don’t know how to quiet my nerves and embrace the challenge. How can I overcome my fear of heights and take that leap toward something I’ve always wanted to do? -- Fearful Hesitation

DEAR FEARFUL HESITATION: If you are serious about skydiving, this means you must be serious about facing your fear of heights. You might try something more manageable to build up to skydiving, like rock climbing at a gym. There are many gyms and other controlled spaces that offer climbing classes to help people learn how to move up in space carefully and push past their fears.

You might also consider consulting a therapist. Working with a professional can help you unlock whatever fears you may have so that you can face them and potentially neutralize them. I recommend that you take these steps and possibly others -- like going to an observatory at the top of a skyscraper or eating at a restaurant at the top of a tall building -- before going to another country and jumping out of a plane.

DEAR HARRIETTE: “Baby No More” complained that her older siblings still treat her like the baby of the family. Your advice was spot-on; however, I would add that one more thing she can do is raise her older son to treat his younger brother differently as they grow up to break that cycle. -- You Can Change

DEAR YOU CAN CHANGE: Yes! Break the cycle with your own children if you can.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Regarding “Baby No More” and their older siblings: Recently, my middle sister came to visit me (I am the youngest by six years). I had always visited her before, and I never had the opportunity to drive as I had flown to her place. While she was here, we decided to go shopping to pick up a few things. We got in the car and proceeded to hit the road. She looked puzzled and said, “I can’t believe that my baby sister is driving”! To which I simply replied, “Doris, I AM 50 years old”. We both broke into hilarious laughter -- it was a real sister moment. Once a little sister, always a little sister. -- Little Sister

DEAR LITTLE SISTER: This birth order thing is amazing, and it takes moments like you driving the car to open people’s eyes.

(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 fighting with my sister about her behavior around me and my family for years, and it’s reached a breaking point. I have two daughters, ages 7 and 9, and every time their aunt comes to visit, I’m left feeling frustrated and upset. My sister has a habit of using crude language, making inappropriate jokes and displaying poor manners, even when I’ve asked her repeatedly to tone it down around the kids. What makes this even more difficult is that my girls adore their aunt. They look up to her, and her behavior is starting to rub off on them. I’ve noticed my daughters repeating some of the language she uses or mimicking her attitude, and it’s creating issues at home and school. I’ve tried explaining this to my sister, but she brushes me off, saying I’m being uptight or overreacting.

I don’t want to cut my sister out of our lives, but I’m struggling to set boundaries that she’ll respect. She doesn’t seem to understand how important it is for me to create a positive and respectful environment for my children, and it’s causing a lot of tension between us. How do I approach this situation without it turning into yet another fight? -- Foul Mouth

DEAR FOUL MOUTH: Put your foot down, and tell your sister she cannot spend time with your daughters unless she curbs the cursing and disrespectful behavior. Period. Tell her that your children have begun to emulate her, and it is causing behavioral problems at school and at home. Be prepared to make good on your threat. If she misbehaves the next time you are together, shut the door on her for a while.

I had to make a no-cursing rule in our home when my daughter was little. One of our close friends cursed incessantly, and I gave him an ultimatum. In his case, he complied. Sometimes people do. If not, follow through.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I recently decided to take a big step in our relationship by moving in together, but it’s been nothing short of a disaster. We’ve been living together for only three months, and it feels like all we do is fight. The arguments are constant, and they range from big issues to petty disagreements, but one of the recurring themes is his inability to clean up after himself. It’s driving me crazy, and I’ve started to resent him for it. It’s become clear to both of us that this relationship isn’t working. We’ve grown distant and frustrated, and neither of us seems happy. The problem is, we signed a one-year lease together, and breaking it would be a financial nightmare. We live in New York City, and as you can imagine, finding affordable housing here is difficult. Neither of us wants to be stuck in this situation, but we don’t know how to get out of it without making things worse. I feel trapped in a living arrangement with someone I no longer see a future with, and it’s creating an environment that’s tense and emotionally draining. Is there a way to make things more bearable while we figure out our next steps? -- Slob

DEAR SLOB: Agree on terms for coexisting as roommates that include basic cleanliness. Do your best to be cordial, and make a plan for where you will move when the lease is up. A year zips by. Prepare for the next one. Don’t forget to breathe!

(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.)