{"id":2404,"date":"2026-06-18T09:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T09:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=2404"},"modified":"2026-06-18T09:07:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T09:07:00","slug":"harriette-cole-im-the-neighborhood-crone-and-you-need-me-more-than-you-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=2404","title":{"rendered":"Harriette Cole: I’m the neighborhood crone, and you need me more than you know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DEAR HARRIETTE<\/strong>: \u201cFirst Time\u201d \u2014 your reader who wants someone to talk to about taking the next step with her boyfriend \u2014 needs an old crone in her life.<\/p>\n

Read more Miss Manners: They ask me to make copies like I\u2019m not an attorney<\/a><\/p>\n

After my sons were grown and out of the house, the young ladies next door and their friends used to come over and pester me with questions that I gladly answered. We had some wonderful gatherings where I told them things that their parents never had \u2014 or things that they didn\u2019t feel they could ever even ask their parents.<\/p>\n

Every person who is an adult but not yet elderly needs a crone in their lives. Not only have we been there, done that (or at least known people who have), but we have no cares left to give about propriety, and we will not turn away from any subject due to discomfort.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kat From Kansas City<\/em><\/p>\n

DEAR KAT FROM KANSAS CITY:<\/strong> I love your sentiment. I also had to go to the dictionary to learn the meaning of \u201ccrone.\u201d For those who don\u2019t know, it used to mean an old woman, but is more commonly known today as a wise, post-menopausal woman venerated for her lifetime of experience, judgment and knowledge.<\/p>\n

Kat, I say yes<\/em> to the crone. We wise women have a lot to offer others.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s funny: In many cultures, it was understood that the older women in the community were to be heralded for their wisdom. People regularly came and sat at their feet to learn and to process whatever was going on in their lives. This is a practice that would be great to revive. Thanks for the reminder.<\/p>\n

DEAR HARRIETTE<\/strong>: I am struggling with social media.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

I am making a career pivot, so it is a beautiful time for me as I make new discoveries and explore new skills, but it is also a scary and intimidating chapter.<\/p>\n

Social media has its pros and cons for this season that I\u2019m in, and I\u2019m trying to decide whether the good outweighs the bad.<\/p>\n

Read more Dear Abby: I hide my resentment, but it has fueled my deathbed plan<\/a><\/p>\n

On one hand, posting about my work, passions and projects helps me meet and interact with people who are also breaking into my industry as well as seasoned professionals. On the other hand, I find myself making a lot of comparisons. It causes me to second-guess myself, my talent, my progress, my path, my belongings and more.<\/p>\n

I am grappling with whether this vast network \u2014 which could lead to continued work and learning opportunities \u2014 is more important than my mental health. Is there something I can do to continue utilizing social media as a tool without compromising my self-worth?<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

\u2014 Social Media<\/em><\/p>\n

DEAR SOCIAL MEDIA<\/strong>: Think of social media as a tool, not a crutch. Use it to share good news about your career and personal life as you see fit.<\/p>\n

Compare yourself to yourself rather than to others. Think about your goals, and curate your content to match those goals.<\/p>\n

Consider hiring someone to help you with your social media strategy. You may even find a company or individual who can post for you. That will help to take you away from the day-to-day, which can make it easier to avoid the comparisons.<\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more \u2018The Real L Word\u2019 star Francine Beppu\u2019s cause of death revealed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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