Harriette Cole: This party sent me down a rabbit hole, and I need to escape

DEAR HARRIETTE: I went to a birthday party recently for a teenager in my family. It was at an amusement center that featured all kinds of fun activities, including a big arcade. We ended up playing video games for hours, and it was a lot of fun. It took me right back to my childhood.

When I got home, I immediately downloaded a few of the games and got sucked into what feels like a time warp. I can play for hours on end without noticing the time.

Yes, it is fun, but I know this is not good for me. When I looked up the other day, it was already evening and I hadn’t done a thing. It was the weekend, but still. I know that’s not how I should be spending my time.

How can I enjoy this newly rediscovered pastime without becoming a video game addict?

— Striking a Balance

DEAR STRIKING A BALANCE: These games are designed to take you down a rabbit hole and keep you there. You do not have to let them win, though.

Make a schedule for the day, every day, including the weekend. You can allot yourself a particular amount of time to play video games. One hour seems like a manageable amount. Then set a timer on your phone or other device. Set it for 45 minutes and also an hour. That way, if the timer goes off and you immediately silence it, you have a backup reminder to stop playing. Otherwise, you could easily find yourself playing for hours on end.

You do have to respond to your alarm by getting up and doing something else. You can. Ideally, you should schedule something interesting to do immediately after the gaming that will compel you to get up and take action.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently got COVID-19, and I’m really bummed. I went on vacation with my family and came back sick as a dog.

I’m supposed to be going to a meeting with my boss this week. We work remotely in two different states. She is coming to town, and we are supposed to work together.

I’m feeling better now. Do you think it would be OK for me to go, especially since I am past the worst of it? I haven’t told her that I got COVID-19, so she would be none the wiser.

— Should I Go?

DEAR SHOULD I GO? You must immediately tell your boss that you got COVID-19 and test each day. When you have a negative test, you will be safe to be around other people.

Let her know right away in case she really needs you or someone to be with her when she is in town so that she can make the appropriate arrangements.

The worst thing you could do is keep this news to yourself. Imagine if the situation were reversed. Would you want to be exposed to the virus without any warning? Be honest, and hope that you get a negative test.

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.