DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 40 years old, and I haven’t been able to find a job in a year. I have had to move back in with my parents, and it’s been a difficult time. I used to work for a good company; I had a great career, and I was doing well financially. I got laid off at the beginning of last year, and I haven’t had any luck in finding a new role. I’ve been applying everywhere, and I’ve even made it to multiple final rounds, but they have never ended up choosing me. Each rejection feels more personal than the last, and it’s starting to wear down my confidence. I wonder if my age is working against me or if something is wrong with me that employers aren’t saying out loud.

Living with my parents again has only added to the shame I already feel, and I find myself comparing where I am now to where I thought I’d be at this stage in my life. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but some days it’s hard just to keep applying when the disappointment feels endless. How do I cope with the emotional toll of long-term unemployment, and how do I rebuild my confidence when it feels like everything I worked for has slipped away? -- Out of Work

DEAR OUT OF WORK: Too many people echo your experience right now. That means you are not alone. There are many people who are unemployed or underemployed. What can you do? Look beyond your area of expertise. What else can you do? Think about every skill you have -- including labor. You may need to work in an area that is completely different for you, or maybe something you did years ago. Get creative.

Remember that as hard as this period of unemployment is, it is probably not because of something you did wrong. The economy is tough right now. Be grateful that your parents can allow you to live with them. Some people don’t have that. Do your best to stay positive. Find little things to be grateful for.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was at a party with a woman I went to high school with but haven’t seen in years. She spent most of the evening telling everybody who would listen embarrassing stories about me as a teenager. I was so mad. We were not friends back then, but we weren’t enemies either. Why would she choose to actively make me uncomfortable? We were at a party with a lot of people I know and a couple of mutual acquaintances. Now all of these people think differently about me because she told them about me during my most awkward days. How do I survive this? I feel like I don’t want to go around them anymore. -- Backlash

DEAR BACKLASH: Most people have uncomfortable stories of their youth. Don’t become attached to whatever she said. If someone brings up one of her stories, laugh it off by saying, “High school years can be awkward.” If you don’t make a big deal out of it, chances are, nobody else will either.

(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 girlfriend and I have been together for about two years now, and we have decided that we are ready for unprotected sex. With this decision came the discussion of birth control, which we both agreed on, and STI testing, which my girlfriend insists on. When she went to her birth control consultation, she says that she got tested “so we can start off on a clean slate,” and now she expects me to do so, too. Honestly, I get tested once a year as part of my routine wellness check, but I feel a little offended about how pushy she’s being with this. We’ve been in a committed relationship for this long. If she’s healthy, why would she assume I am not? This sort of feels like a test -- either to see if I’m not healthy when she is or to see if I hesitate or refuse to take the test. Either way, this feels like a lack of trust that I didn’t know existed. Am I looking at this wrong? -- Getting Tested

DEAR GETTING TESTED: Unprotected sex requires a deep level of trust and vulnerability. Don’t be offended. It’s great how responsible you are with your health in general. Many people do not get annual checkups, and a lot of people lie about their health.

Of course you hoped you already had that level of trust with your girlfriend. Take this as an opportunity to talk about expectations, commitment and the future with her. Talk to her about your values and boundaries as well as what you hope your life will look like with her. Your girlfriend may be letting stories she has heard about other people encroach on your relationship. Sit her down and remind her of your relationship, and invite her to trust that, not any outside forces -- but also go ahead and get tested for her peace of mind.

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the past two years, I’ve been working remotely for a tech company. While I’m grateful for the flexibility, my role requires little client engagement or team interaction. Most days, I work alone in silence, with limited conversation beyond the occasional virtual meeting. Recently, I’ve noticed something deeply unsettling: I’ve developed a stutter. I used to be confident and articulate, especially in professional settings, but now I struggle to get my words out smoothly. It feels like this extended period of isolation has taken a toll on my speech and my self-esteem. I’m embarrassed by it, and it’s starting to affect my pride and how I show up in conversations. How can I rebuild my confidence and communication skills? What steps can I take to undo the effects of so much solitude before this becomes permanent? -- My New Stutter

DEAR MY NEW STUTTER: You need to get out and be around other people. Consider signing up for Toastmasters, a longstanding organization that helps people to break through their shyness and become strong public speakers and communicators. This kind of practice can help you regain your confidence. Apart from that, putting yourself into any social environment should help, as it will make you talk.

(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 9-year-old daughter has dyslexia; it has been difficult for her academically. Every night, she cries when she has to do her reading homework because she keeps getting words mixed up. I’ve tried to get her extra help by taking her to a dyslexia learning center, but she cries when she has to go there as well. She tells me it makes her feel “stupid” and different from the other kids.

I do my best to encourage her and remind her that she’s smart and capable, but nothing I say seems to stick. Lately, she’s started saying she hates school and worries that she’ll never be good at reading. She’s even begun comparing herself to her classmates and asking why learning seems so easy for everyone else. I’m torn between wanting to push her to keep getting the support she needs and worrying that I’m making things worse by forcing her into situations that cause her so much distress. How can I help my daughter build confidence and learn to cope with her dyslexia without making her feel overwhelmed or ashamed? -- Dealing With Dyslexia

DEAR DEALING WITH DYSLEXIA: Your local public school system should offer specialized programming and support for your daughter. Additionally, your daughter may need the resources of a specialized school to cultivate her abilities while in the company of other students who are learning to manage their challenges. If her current school is not properly equipped, you can research specialized schools in your area -- even if they are private schools -- and petition the local school system to pay for her to go there. It may take a large effort, but you may be able to get her the support she needs at no extra expense.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I quit my job to chase my entrepreneurial dream of owning a bakery. It took me 20 years to save up and to get the courage to quit my stable 9-to-5 job. I’ve been open about a year, and my bakery is failing. Despite my best efforts, I’m barely breaking even, and some months I’m losing money. I work long hours, often seven days a week, and I’ve poured not only my savings but my heart into this business. I believe in my product, and the customers I do have are loyal, but there just aren’t enough of them to keep the doors open comfortably. What makes this even harder is the fear of admitting defeat. My family and friends were so proud of me for finally taking this leap, and I feel embarrassed at the thought of telling them that things aren’t working out. I don’t know whether I should keep pushing and hope things turn around or accept that this dream may not be sustainable and walk away before I lose everything. How do I know when it’s time to hold on or when it’s time to let go? -- Life of an Entrepreneur

DEAR LIFE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR: Most entrepreneurs have ebbs and flows in their cash flow. Before you give up, go to your local small business administration office or business council. Often, you can get free business support and even referrals for emergency funds. Actively seek out help before you give up.

(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.)