DEAR HARRIETTE: My cousin decided to plan a family reunion this year. We have a large family spread throughout a few states and a few countries. My cousin refused to allow anyone else in the family to help her plan this grandiose reunion, despite several people asking. It was a huge undertaking, and in the end, there were a lot of missteps. Many people were offended because they didn’t even know it was happening, and the actual event was all over the place. I tried debriefing with her a few days later about what I thought could help the next time around, and she snapped on me. I explained that I, as well as others, would love to be a part of the planning so that she doesn’t have to be responsible for so many moving parts, and she accused me of being negative and judgmental. How can you reason with someone who is determined to be a solo act and is averse to criticism? -- Family Reunion

DEAR FAMILY REUNION: It may be too soon for your cousin to be able to hear the critique that you have to offer her. Wait a bit. Meanwhile, speak to a few of your family members who are interested in helping out next time. When you speak to your cousin again, talk about the future. Make it clear that the event needs a team effort, and those assembled want to be on the team. Thank your cousin for getting the ball rolling this year, but be firm that it is not OK for her to go solo again. There are too many details for one person to handle on her own.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My partner and I work in the same field: media production. Work has been scarce as of late; either there are limited positions or limited funding, and both affect all parties involved. For about a year, my partner struggled to get booked for a show, and I held us both up. Supporting the two of us financially was not easy, but it was a walk in the park compared to what my partner needed emotionally during that trying time. Fast forward, and the roles have reversed. I haven’t been booked for a show in a long time, and I ended up taking a job at a school just to secure income. I am miserable, and my partner doesn’t have the patience to deal with me. He says that his financial support should speak volumes. I do appreciate him; I just wish he could realize how sad I feel right now. If he would just slow down and hug me or listen to me, it would mean the world. I’ve told him this, but it seems like he’d rather avoid my feelings and the emotional conversations. I just feel alone. -- At a Loss

DEAR AT A LOSS: It seems that your partner does not have the emotional intelligence that you have. You are needing something from him that he cannot readily provide. That doesn’t mean you should stop telling him your needs. It does mean that you should figure out other ways to take care of yourself. Join a support group in your industry. Talk to a trusted friend about your situation when you need to unwind. Continue to tell your partner what you need from him -- one thing at a time.

(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: I’ve been working in tech for the past five years, and I’ve saved up a decent amount of money with the intention of taking a year off to travel. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. I want to see the world, experience different cultures and give myself space to reflect on what I really want in life. Lately, though, whenever I bring up this idea to friends or family, they tell me it’s irresponsible. They worry I’ll fall behind in my career or lose my momentum in such a competitive industry. Some even say I’m being selfish for stepping away from a stable job when others are struggling to find one. I understand their concerns, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m letting fear -- or other people’s opinions -- deter me from something that could be life-changing. I’m not planning to blow through all of my savings or be reckless. I’ve done the math, made a rough itinerary and even looked into ways I could freelance or volunteer during my travels. Still, the doubt is starting to creep in. What if I come back and can’t find another job? What if I regret stepping off the “traditional” path? Is it really so wrong to pause my career to explore the world, even if it’s unconventional? -- The Road Less Traveled

DEAR THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: Listen to your own voice. You have planned well, saved and plotted your course. There are risks with every decision, but it sounds like you have done your best to consider the risks and weigh the odds. Be bold and take your trip. Enjoy your adventure. Journal about what you see and experience. Consider creating a blog where you talk about what you are seeing and learning. Keep your eyes open for opportunities for the future as you set out on your journey. Have faith that you will be able to take care of yourself each step of the way.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I seem to have writer’s block. I have a huge project that I need to finish, but every time I sit down to work on it, nothing happens. My deadline is coming up fast, and if I don’t get this work done, I could lose my job. How can I get past whatever is holding me back from hunkering down and working? I have worked on things like this so many times. There’s nothing new about it, but for some reason I feel stuck this time. -- Writer’s Block

DEAR WRITER’S BLOCK: Approach the project differently. Rather than looking at it as one big thing, break it down into the smallest components possible. What are the sections that have to be filled out? Are there chapters or other organizing tools that you can use to chip away at parts of the project rather than looking at it as one behemoth?

Create a schedule and be vigilant about following it. Assign a couple of hours every day to getting the work done. Even if nothing comes out at first, sit in front of your computer during that time and will yourself to work on it -- no matter what. Face your fears. Every day, do something, and eventually you will get it done.

(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 work remotely, and while I’ve enjoyed the flexibility and freedom it provides, I’ve started to feel increasingly isolated and unmotivated. At first, it felt like a dream: no commute, more control over my schedule and the comfort of home. Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m missing the daily interactions, spontaneous conversations and overall sense of community that comes from being in a physical workspace. Most of my communication with co-workers is confined to emails or scheduled video calls, which makes it hard to feel connected to the team. I find myself feeling drained and uninspired, even though I still like the actual work I do. Some days, I barely speak to anyone at all, and I’ve started to worry that this lack of connection is taking a toll on my mental health and productivity.

I’ve been thinking about looking for a hybrid position, something that would offer a better balance between remote work and in-person interaction, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move or if I need to adjust my current routine. How can I stay connected, motivated and productive in a remote setting, or is it time to consider a change? -- Isolated

DEAR ISOLATED: Working remotely does not work for everyone, as you are seeing. Yes, it is smart to look for another job that is better balanced for your needs. Meanwhile, schedule after-work activities that put you in the company of other people. Join a book club that meets in person. Volunteer at a local museum or retirement home. Take an art class. Don’t sit at home alone. Put yourself out there with others.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I have been together for about four years now, and we finally decided to move in together about a month ago. Unfortunately, my partner smokes cigarettes at night. He insists that it’s the only thing that helps him sleep. I’ve encouraged him to try melatonin, different teas and even therapy, but he chooses to stick with his cigarettes. I’ve always known this about him, but now that we live together, it bothers me more than in the past; I had never actually seen him smoke a cigarette until now. It rubs me the wrong way for a number of reasons, and I don’t know what to do about it, seeing as I’ve let it go on for so long. Can I demand that he quit a habit I’ve been sort of complicit in for the past four years? -- Smoking Habit

DEAR SMOKING HABIT: Smoking is an addiction, so it’s not a simple thing to get someone to quit. What you may be able to do is to put some boundaries around this behavior. You can request no smoking inside the house so that your home does not smell like smoke. You can also request that he brush his teeth and wash his face after smoking so that the residue of smoke doesn’t end up in your bed. In the end, if it really is too much for you to handle, this could be a deal-breaker for your relationship -- or at least for the two of you to live together.

(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.)