Dear Aunty Empathy, I really, really want to become more compassionate and kind, but some people just really make it challenging. My ex, for example: he’ll take every opportunity to ruin a family gathering, get in my way legally or socially, or just be crass and crude around the kids. I’m…

Dear Aunty Empathy, Several years ago, a friend of mine tried to scam me for some money. I think he thought I was going to be an easy target because I’m usually kind and sympathetic. When I refused, he threw a fit and disappeared, and I never heard from him again…

Dear Aunty Empathy, I’m dreading the New Year’s Eve party this year, because I’m so sick of being pressured to drink. Why do people have to do that? I think it’s rude and stupid, but I get snagged in it anyway, and then I have a terrible time. Why do I…

Dear Aunty Empathy, I love my partner very much, and I know that when she’s upset, she just needs to talk it out. We carpool together to work, and she hates her job, and so she’s ranting about it almost every day, the whole 30-minute drive. I am trying to help…

Dear Aunty Empathy, I am a mother of two kids under 5 years old, and I have a demanding full-time job in health care, a husband who is working 60 hours a week, and an elderly mother who is sweet but starting to need my support sometimes. I’m doing my best…

Dear Aunty Empathy, When I come home from work, I am exhausted. My wife is, too, but we have the kids and dinner and homework and chores to deal with still. After all that, she likes to unwind by being alone and reading before bed, but I relax best by telling…

Dear Aunty Empathy, Around the holidays, I have a really hard time with getting overwhelmed. Friends, family, gifts, baking, parties, decorating — there’s so much that has to be done! I start off excited and loving it, and I end up stretched too thin and not having much fun at all…

Dear Aunty Empathy, One of my oldest and dearest friends has been ditching me lately; even to the point of not showing up when we’ve planned to meet. I know she’s busy, and she always has an excuse, but I feel like I’m the last of her priorities. It hurts and…

Dear Aunty Empathy, I accidentally learned that some new friends of mine are part of a group that gets together regularly for dinners. I was hoping to be invited, but after a few months of no invitation, I finally asked one of them about it. She immediately invited me, and I…