ArcaMax

Dear Annie: I've been a big fan of your column for years, but I felt that some useful context was missing from a recent response about how to deal with people knocking on doors.

Having worked extensively in political outreach, I understand how frustrating unsolicited visits can be. However, canvassing for elections or other causes is hard ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I just turned 29. My partner, "Jeremy," and I have been together for six years and have talked about getting engaged. He set the timeline for an expectation of when he'd propose early on in our relationship -- by "five or 30" (meaning either we've been together for five years or he hits 30). Both of those marks hit last year, and I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My roommate and his girlfriend constantly bicker, and I always end up being dragged into the middle of their arguments. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm being forced to pick sides when I don't even want to be involved at all. To make matters worse, I can't help but feel bad for his girlfriend because, frankly, my roommate...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I dislike being in posed photos, particularly now that everything ends up posted online. Friends won't let me off the hook. "Oh, come on!" they repeat, every time I say "no thanks."

Of course I participate during special occasions, such as family photos at my nephew's wedding. But on casual occasions, how do I excuse myself ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been with my spouse for nine years. Lately, I feel he's so distant, and I can't help but be bothered by it. About a year ago, everything changed. He started hiding his phone, being secretive with his friends, had multiple social media accounts, etc.

I've had a gut feeling for a while, and when I talked to him about it, he ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married a long time. Our relationship is stable but rocky. I have suffered from depression since childhood, and I am now trying to manage it. My husband has his own issues. One of them is that he often brings up something he finds "amusing" about my parents. For example, he mocks my dad and the home I grew ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been friends with this guy for two years, and over time, I've started to feel like our connection might be more than just friendship. He's always been kind, thoughtful and supportive, and I really enjoy spending time with him. Lately, I've caught myself looking at him differently and wondering if he feels the same way ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A while ago, I went through a traumatic experience in my life and was very depressed. I read online about a celebrity who was going through the same experience. Through different social media channels, I began communicating with this person.

We became quick friends and spoke often. I really enjoyed talking with him and looked...Read more

Dear Annie: My wife of 19 years still to this day keeps in contact with her ex-boyfriend from high school.

They dated all through high school, and after they broke up, he ran her through the mud by spreading rumors about her to all her friends and then wrote a long letter to her stating how she was a slut.

Fast-forward many years, when we ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I need advice about a new relationship. I am a 60-year-old man. I divorced last year and met a nice woman named "Eileen" shortly afterward, and things seemed to be going well. When my ex found out I was seeing Eileen (they didn't know each other) she decided to call Eileen and try to cause issues by saying many things that are not ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been trying to declutter my home for months, focusing on makeup, dresses and other items that no longer serve a purpose, but I keep getting stuck. Every time I start sorting through my belongings, I find myself emotionally attached to certain things, even though they're no longer necessary. The challenge is especially ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I just started a new job, and a group text chat was created for us to communicate about our shift availability. However, employees have begun using this chat for small talk.

I can't simply mute it, because I might miss important work information. They're all wonderful people, but I don't want my phone blowing up! How do I ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a 17-year-old girl, and I will be turning 18 next month. I'm a senior in high school, and my grades are excellent! I've applied to all of my colleges, and now I'm waiting for the decisions, which I will find out very soon. I live in Arizona, and the schools are in New York, D.C. and North Carolina (with my first choice being in...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend is married to a penny-pincher. He hates spending money. They are retired and have sizable assets. He never buys her anything for her birthday or takes her out to dinner. He doesn't buy her a card on Valentine's Day, either.

They each own their own homes and commute back and forth between them. When he comes to her house, ...Read more

Around the same time the newly singled realize their bed-hopping adventures actually make them lonelier, a growing awareness of themselves as a distinct entity takes hold. Standing on one's own, recognized as a person in one's own right, starts to feel good. Really good. The loneliness is still there, of course, felt most in the early-morning ...Read more