DEAR KRISTIN: I’ve got a good friend who’s developing an irritating habit: He’s always looking for a laugh. Every other word that comes out of his mouth has to be steeped in humor -- even the unfunny stuff. Every sentence has to lead up to a punchline.

And this thing I call “the pause” is the absolute worst: Right after he utters his wittiest witticism, he’ll pause for a quick second and just sit there expectantly, waiting for me to laugh. When I’m with him these days, I feel more like a judge at a comedy contest than a plain old friend who just wants to have a normal conversation. Others have noticed it, too. -- ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE HUMOR

DEAR ENOUGH ALREADY: Sounds like your buddy’s not just looking for laughs; he’s also thirsty for attention and validation. And the fact that this humor-hungry habit has only developed recently might be a sign that something is unfolding in his life that’s not all that funny at all.

I’m not a trained therapist, but I can still offer a few human-centered, heartfelt suggestions that might be of help: Talk to your buddy. Cut through the clutter of his constant humor. Ask him how he’s doing; how his life is going. If it feels like he might need a helping hand, let him know you’re open to a serious conversation -- and if he’s sending you some red-flag signals that there might be deeper disturbances, encourage him to seek the help of a professional. We need to help each other understand that there is no shame in seeking help -- there is only victory.

If it turns out it’s not all that deep -- that your buddy is just searching for that extra laugh simply for the sake of searching for that extra laugh -- then what you’ve got is a buddy with an annoying habit.

Even if that is the case, you’ve still got options. Start ignoring some of the punchlines! Talk right over them. News alert: Just because your buddy wants you to laugh all the time doesn’t mean you have to laugh all the time!

Next time you ask him for his opinion about something that requires a thoughtful response and he still comes at you with humor, try, “I’m not asking for a punchline here. I’m asking for your opinion.”

You could also -- and ultimately -- embrace his insatiable hunger for humor and simply accept him for who he is. Be grateful for the fact that he cares enough about you to even want to elicit your smiles. There are far worse habits, that’s for sure.

DEAR KRISTIN: I have an exercise buddy who is super-intelligent, but all of his super-intelligence is getting on my nerves. He thinks he knows everything under the sun. In fact, I’ll use the sun as an example: During an early evening workout last week (we were outside), I said, “Look at that beautiful sunset,” and he responded immediately with, “I hope you know that smog and pollution contribute to the vibrancy of that beautiful sunset, right?”

I don’t care how smart he is. The fact of the matter is that hanging out with somebody who can mess up something as simple and beautiful as a sunset is starting to feel like a pretty dumb move. Help! – FRUSTRATED

DEAR FRUSTRATED: Go back and read your last sentence. Let your own words soak deep down into your psyche. You admit that it’s problematic to be “hanging out with somebody who can mess up something as simple and beautiful as a sunset.” And while this is certainly true, you’re also kinda missing the point:

You buddy isn’t messing up the sunset ... YOU are!

By making the conscious choice to view life through someone else’s prism (in this case, your buddy’s), you’re selling yourself short. Who cares if he knows more about the molecular structure of the setting sun than you do? Why should his knowledge about the sunset compromise or undermine your ability to appreciate its beauty? It shouldn’t. Look at the world around you through your own lens, not through his. Quit giving him so much power and dominion.

If you really enjoy spending time with him, figure something out. Change the situation. You certainly can’t change him -- so don’t every try -- but you can try to change the situation itself. Here are a few options to consider:

When you can feel that his fountain of infinite knowledge is about to start flowing, try building a protective “bubble” around yourself so that all of his know-it-all-ness just washes right past you. Redirect its current. The good thing about this bubble is that it is impenetrable and invisible -- he doesn’t even have to know it’s there!

When you’re inside your bubble, you have all the control. In this protected space, your buddy can spew all of his knowledge about how pollution contributes to the vibrancy of the sunset until he’s blue in the face -- and you can even nod and act like you’re listening -- but all you see is the beauty of the sunset! This is your headspace, not his.

You could also consider broaching your concern with him, but be kind and gentle: You want to open his eyes to the situation -- not hit him between the eyes with a sledgehammer of harsh criticism.

Learning to offer (and accept) constructive criticism is a delicate matter and an acquired skill -- but mastering this skill can deepen our self-awareness and enhance our personal growth. Again, if you try to open his eyes about his know-it-all ways, do it gently.

Try one of these suggestions. If none of them work, a final option, of course, would be to give the relationship a break; maybe a temporary hiatus.

But do something. Respect yourself enough to take action.

Quit letting him throw shade on your sunset.

DEAR KRISTIN: I was recently laid off from my job. I’ve had about a month to pick my jaw up from the ground and process some of my initial shock and anger, but what’s moving inside of me now is equally painful: I have lost my purpose. I no longer feel relevant. I refuse to sign my letter to you “IRRELEVANT,” so I’ll sign it, instead, as “HOPEFUL.”

DEAR HOPEFUL: I want you to go back and read the words you wrote to me again. Then read them one more time. Then one more time after that. There is one word within your letter that will help propel you through this pain, and it’s the very last word you wrote: “HOPEFUL.”

What you have experienced is not just the crushing crisis of job loss but the resulting crisis of confidence that follows such a major trauma -- two separate and distinct challenges that are closely (and dangerously) intertwined.

Honor the integrity of them both. Feel your feelings in all of their fullness -- the shock, the anger, the humiliation -- but don’t stay stuck within them because they will deplete you. Emotions like this can get greedy.

The fact that this beautiful word called “hope” still lives within your heart is, well, it is everything. Let it linger there and comfort you. But set a target for yourself -- identify and delineate an achievable deadline -- for when you begin to transform and manifest your hope into something new: Action.

The thing about the word “hope” is that it is not just a noun, it’s an action verb -- just like “love.” We can’t afford to simply let hope (or love) just linger in our hearts. Lingering is not enough. We must push these words into action. So get out your jumper cables, Beloved, and jump-start your hope. Transform that hope into action. A few suggestions:

Beyond the mechanical process of setting up interviews and reaching out to prospective employers, you must also feed your soul and nurture your psyche, for both have been damaged. Remind yourself every day (every minute, if necessary) that you are worthy, deserving, and of value. Say the words out loud if the spirit moves you. Write them down on a sticky-note so that they’re the first thing you see when you wake up every morning. No matter what else happens around you, hold fast to the knowledge that you are uniquely blessed and marvelously gifted.

Make sure this is the mindset that lives within you; it will show when you walk into that next interview. A healthy mindset must be your coat of armor. Prospective employers pick up on self-doubt; it carries a scent that can easily be sniffed out.

Our setbacks end up being our victories if we train ourselves to rightly relate to them. Trauma is inevitable. It’s our ability to transform that trauma into something more productive that will deepen our character and expand our vision. Keep feeding that hope that lives within you. But don’t stop there.

Transform that hope into actionable behavior.