DEAR HARRIETTE: For many years, I worked in corporate America with a strict 9 to 5, Monday through Friday schedule. Recently, I made the switch -- as the economy demanded -- to working freelance. I now work in media and do a lot of event-based work. It is way more fast-paced, and my schedule is completely different every single day. I quite enjoy the change, but my boyfriend, not so much. We’ve lived together for the past three years, so he’s used to the old version of me. He expressed that he feels neglected and that he believes I put my work before him. He may be right. I want to be more present, but I feel so alive with this new career path that I really have not prioritized balance. How can I continue to excel in my career and relationship at the same time without compromising one or the other? -- Workaholic

DEAR WORKAHOLIC: Sit down with your boyfriend and remind him that your life has changed a lot and you are discovering what your new rhythm will be. Tell him the truth: You enjoy the new pace and energy of your work, while at the same time, you are not intentionally neglecting him.

Do your best to strike a balance. Carve out time daily to chat with him, to eat together whenever possible and to have a date at least once a week. Establish new patterns that prioritize the two of you even as you continue to figure out how to grow in your new work life.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in an apartment with very thin walls, and my neighbor has recently started practicing the trumpet every night at 10 p.m. I completely understand and appreciate that he is passionate about his music and wants to improve, but the sound travels so clearly into my apartment that it’s becoming impossible for me to fall asleep. I’ve tried wearing earplugs and playing white noise, but nothing seems to block it completely. I don’t want to be the person who stifles his artistic pursuits, but I need to maintain my own well-being and get enough sleep. I’m worried that if I bring it up, I might come across as unreasonable or annoying. It’s starting to affect my mood and productivity the next day, and I feel increasingly frustrated each night. I just wish there were a way for both of us to enjoy our space without conflict or discomfort. How can I approach my neighbor respectfully about the situation, or is there a compromise that could allow both of us to exist peacefully? I feel torn between being understanding and protecting my own comfort, and I don’t know where to draw the line. -- Noise Control

DEAR NOISE CONTROL: Before calling your landlord, reach out to your neighbor. Let him know you see that he has started a new hobby, and while it sounds good, his playing is starting too late for your health. Ask him if he can refine his schedule so that you can go to sleep at a decent hour.

Check to see if there are noise ordinances in your town that require reduced noise at a particular time. In many places, that time is 10 p.m. If he is unwilling to budge, engage your super or landlord.

(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 recently joined a local photography club because I wanted to meet other photographers, improve my skills and share my work in a supportive environment. Most members are great, but one person has started posting some of my photos online without my permission and giving themselves credit as the photographer. It makes me feel frustrated and disrespected, and I’m not sure how to handle it without creating conflict within the group. I don’t want to come across as overly sensitive, but I want my work to be respected and credited properly. I’ve tried subtly reminding him or commenting on posts, but it hasn’t seemed to stop the behavior. I feel anxious every time I bring new photos to the club, wondering if they’ll appear online under someone else’s name. It’s starting to make me dread sharing my work, which is supposed to be one of the main joys of joining the club. I also feel like my creativity and effort aren’t being valued, which is really discouraging.

How can I approach this situation in a way that protects my work, maintains my relationships within the club and sets clear boundaries? -- Crossing the Line

DEAR CROSSING THE LINE: Now is the time to be direct. Posting your work as their own is plagiarism, plain and simple. Go to the group at the next meeting and complain publicly. Ask how it could have happened that the art you brought to show the group would be posted by someone else without crediting you. Do not bring any more work to the group until this issue is handled. Address it head-on.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate recently asked me if her boyfriend could stay at our apartment for a whole week, and I agreed at the time because I didn’t want to make things awkward or seem unaccommodating. Now that I’ve thought it over, I’m really regretting saying yes. I’m worried about having someone in our shared space for that long, and I’m not sure I’m comfortable with it. I also realize that our apartment is small, and having a third person around constantly could disrupt my routines, privacy and sense of personal space.

I feel stuck because I already said yes, but I also don’t want to feel trapped or stressed during the week. I’m anxious about bringing it up now because I don’t want my roommate to be upset or feel like I’m being unreasonable. At the same time, I need to prioritize my own comfort and mental well-being. Can I go back and change my answer, or would that be unfair to my roommate? How can I approach this in a way that respects both my boundaries and our friendship? -- Third Wheel

DEAR THIRD WHEEL: Tell your roommate you need to have a talk with her. Explain that while you agreed for her boyfriend to stay for a week at your place, it is making you uncomfortable. You are concerned about being cramped. While it may not work to rescind the invitation, make it clear that you need him to respect your privacy, be as neat as possible and not stay longer than agreed.

Next time, take a breath and assess a request carefully before agreeing to it.

(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: My friends are always pulling out their phones to take photos whenever we hang out, whether it’s at dinner, a casual walk or even just hanging out at someone’s apartment. I know it’s normal these days, but I hate being in photos because I feel awkward and self-conscious in front of the camera. I never like how I look in photos, and instead of enjoying the moment, I get stressed trying to pose or wondering if I look bad. It’s gotten to the point where I sometimes dread social plans because I know a photo shoot will inevitably happen, and I feel pressure to participate so I don’t come off as antisocial or the “boring” friend.

How do I set boundaries around not wanting to take pictures without making my friends feel like I’m rejecting them? I want to be part of the group and enjoy our time together, but I also want to feel comfortable and not forced into something that makes me anxious. Is there a way to compromise so they can capture memories while I don’t feel so exposed? -- No More Paparazzi

DEAR NO MORE PAPARAZZI: Let your friends know that you love them, but you do not want to be in a constant photo shoot. When the cellphone cameras whip out, step out of the frame. Turn around. Walk away. You can do that without too much fuss so as not to disrupt the moment. You can also draw the line. If it’s late, tell them you don’t want any photos “after hours.” I have a friend who requests no photos on the beach. When people do pull out their cameras, they know not to include her. It is OK to stand up for yourself, though you may still find yourself in a photo or two.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My book club started a couple of years ago as a fun way to connect with people while also keeping myself accountable to read more. In the beginning, we had thoughtful discussions about the books we picked, and I looked forward to hearing different perspectives. Lately, the meetings have shifted into more of a social gathering where the book barely gets mentioned. Instead, most of the night revolves around wine, snacks and catching up on everyone’s personal drama.

While I enjoy the company, I miss the actual book discussions that originally drew me to the group. I feel like the odd one out for wanting to stay on topic, and I worry that if I bring it up, I’ll come across as uptight. At the same time, I don’t want to keep committing time to something that doesn’t give me what I signed up for. Sometimes I leave the meetings feeling disconnected and like my interests don’t matter. I just want to enjoy the social aspect without sacrificing the love of reading that took me there in the first place.

Should I speak up about wanting more structured conversations, or should I accept that the group has evolved into something different and find another outlet for my love of reading? -- No More Reading

DEAR NO MORE READING: Speak up and say you miss the rich discussions about the book at your next meeting. Ask a few members individually to see if others share your view. If so, request a vote to see if members will consider going back to spending an allotted time on book discussion before socializing.

(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.)