Tag: Motherhood

Posted in Akira, Amy Douangmany, Healing, Parenthood, Self Reflection

Dear Diary, Value is not always about expense…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

it is about the care and intention.

Today was a really lovely day. I am finally winding down, not in a candlelit skincare kind of way, but with something far more indulgent: a Supreme Doritos taco. It has been ages since I have had one, and I am not sure when my love for tacos faded. These days I am more of a noodle and pasta person, but tonight the craving won.

I spent the afternoon with Kira, shopping at Daiso for extra school supplies and a few things to feed my own love of reading, writing, and continuous learning. We found her the softest pajama set with sparkly butterflies and a matching sleep mask. She knew exactly what she wanted. Not a headband, but a sleep mask. I love that about her, the clarity of knowing what fits you.

Our final mission was shoes. She tried on silver, black, and pink pairs in the same size, but none felt right. And that is the thing about fit: it is rarely just about size. Whether it is shoes, friendships, or relationships, sometimes you try to make something work because you love it, but it simply is not your fit. Comfort, texture, and the way it makes you feel all matter. Eventually we found the perfect pair: black with pearls on a soft memory foam and a subtle shine, ready for every season and even matching her coat.

I could not help thinking about how shoes mirror our own growth. Over time I have raised my own standards. The price tag is not everything, but it reflects how much I am willing to invest in quality and in myself. About a month ago I picked up a pair of heels and some Birkenstocks, and I wear them constantly. Value is not always about expense; it is about the care and intention you bring to what you choose.

The best pair of shoes, like the best relationships, deserve investment—emotional, physical, even financial. Money matters, but never more than the comfort and confidence a true fit provides.

Now I am home, ready to slip off my shoes, shower, pamper my skin, and rest my bare feet. The perfect ending to a day that fit just right.

Tomorrow is another day, and I am looking forward to bringing my best foot forward. I may be moving through changes and different chapters of my life. I do not always announce my struggles or my wins, but there will always be signs—whether in moments of quiet detachment, unexpected distance, small celebrations, tears of joy, or even the soft grieving of a lifestyle that no longer fits the person I am becoming.

Cheers in advance to the next perfect fit.

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Blog, Parenthood, Self Reflection

Dear Diary, The path is not always clear…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D


but I am on it.

Lately, I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed, yet I am still holding on, holding on to hope, to dreams, to goals, to peace, to security, to stability. I am holding on to the reward that comes from being patient, resilient, kind, giving, and forgiving. In this vast world of billions of people, there are moments when I feel profoundly alone.

Part of me feels like something is missing, though I cannot quite put the pieces together. I long for distance, for individuality, where I do not rely on anyone and no one relies on me. Where for once it is truly about me and the battles I fight are only for me.

Life becomes entangled when others depend on us for love, emotional support, financial support, and guidance. In those moments, decisions are rarely ours alone. I realize now that I have not often been able to make things about me in a way that is truly mine.

I crave experiences that feel deeply personal, traveling, seeing the world through my own eyes, romanticizing my life and the idea of love in a way that is intimate and authentic. It may take years, especially as a mother of young children, whose needs shape every day. But I hope that as they grow, they encounter kindness, integrity, and love in abundance. I hope their journeys are lighter than mine has felt lately.

The past few years, I have not met enough people who make life easier in the ways I desire. Not because they have not tried, but because my standards are high. High standards make people look at you differently. Some do not like it. Some quietly or loudly resent it. Yet in the respect they hold, there is acknowledgment of my clarity, my precision, and my drive toward the results I envision. I will continue forward relentlessly until my last breath.

My personal growth is ongoing. I see areas I want to refine, my bluntness, my harsh honesty, and my unfiltered truth that may feel disrespectful to others. But those who take the time to understand will see that my intentions are always rooted in authenticity and care. Life is about mindsets. Even in struggle, in obstacles, in moments of uncertainty, we are worthy, capable, and deserving. Roadblocks do not diminish value; they challenge us to grow.

I have learned that sharing plans and struggles often opens the door to judgment rather than understanding. People rarely credit effort or see the rationale. But I am accountable to myself. There is only one me, and I trust my growth, my manifestation, and the daily steps I take forward, whether recognized or unseen by others.

Good things are coming, not only for me but for those who align with this energy. The path is not always clear, but I am on it, unwavering. When I arrive, I hope to see all the lessons, the growth, and the journey reflected in the beauty of the life I have courageously built. I am on my way, and I hope to see you there too.

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Healing, Parenthood, Self Reflection

Dear Diary, As certain things in my life begin to align…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

I realize how simple my heart’s desires truly are.

I’m sitting here tonight, in the quiet stillness after the sun has slipped below the horizon. The sky not too long ago was painted in streaks of lavender, rose-gold, and deep orange, the kind of breathtaking gradient that makes me pause every single time. Sunsets have always been my favorite. The way the light melts into the sky feels like a reminder that endings can be just as beautiful as beginnings.

As I sit here, I feel a wave of gratitude washing over me. These past months… really, the past two years have felt heavy, slow, and sometimes unbearably still. Lazy, in a way, though not in the sense of doing nothing, but more like a long stretch of waiting, healing, and piecing myself back together. Now, as certain things in my life begin to align, I realize how simple my heart’s desires truly are: to be happy, to be at peace, to keep discovering little joys that make my soul light up and my eyes glisten.

I’m learning that peace doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from being seen and heard. From someone showing, not just saying, that they notice me, that they understand me. It’s in patience, even when things feel frustrating or complicated. It’s in knowing that if a hard decision ever had to be made, the choice would be to put me first, to put *us* first, to put the children first… never the opposite. That kind of love feels like a soft place to land.

And still, through it all, I hold close the blessings I already have. My health may not be perfect, but it is steady enough to carry me. I can stand firmly, both on my two feet and on the life I am building. I can still see the colors of the sky, hear the laughter of my children, and choose every single day between what is good for me and what is not. These are gifts I remind myself never to overlook.

Because each day, life quietly gives us that choice: to look at others with compassion, to try to see them in the best light even when they don’t stand in it themselves… or to let bitterness cloud our vision. I remind myself that often people reflect what they hold inside; if they cannot see goodness in others, it’s usually because they struggle to see it in themselves.

So tonight, under the memory of the sunset’s glow, I feel content. I look forward to each new day, even the uncertain ones. For the first time in a long time, I truly feel that things are unfolding in the right direction. And above all, my heart is full of gratitude.

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Blog, Healing, Meditation, Parenthood, Self Reflection, Uncategorized

Dear Diary, It’s a strange thing…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

dressing for a funeral.

Today started before the day even began.
Restless. Heavy-hearted. Awake at 3:00 a.m., not from an alarm clock but from this soul-deep pull, the kind that reminds you something big is ahead. I managed two hours of sleep, then back up at 5:00, sluggish, but wired in a quiet panic, watching the minutes drag across the clock face like shadows stretching across an empty room. There’s a specific kind of dread that creeps in when you know you’re waking up to see someone you love lying still, not in rest, but in eternal peace.

It’s a strange thing, dressing for a funeral. You’re picking out clothes not just for a day, but for a memory that will burn into your skin. It’s the last moment you’ll see your father. The last goodbye you don’t get to say with your voice.

When I stepped into the room where he lay, I was bracing myself for heartbreak, and it came. But not all at once. There was something strangely comforting in seeing him this time. He looked better. Peaceful. As if the pain that I somehow felt echoing through me the day he passed had finally left his body. And maybe that’s why I felt it so intensely then, because he didn’t have to carry it anymore, so it spilled into me.

My sisters and I stood together. And as much as this day was about loss, it was also about love. We idolized our father’s good traits, not because we’re blind to the rest, but because we’ve made peace with the truth that we all come into this life flawed. We’re all still learning. And it’s those imperfections that humanize us, make us real, make us family. The chanting of the monks, low and steady, sacred and melodic, filled the air. Suddenly, time didn’t feel real. It felt like transition. Life to death. Pain to peace. Breath to stillness. Stillness to rebirth.

There was a moment I couldn’t breathe. A tightness in my chest that wasn’t anxiety or nerves. It was heartbreak. And not the kind that comes from broken romance. This was a grief heartbreak. The kind you feel when a parent leaves. When a child never gets to grow. When a pet goes silent. When people you once loved become memories.

And yet, through the heartbreak, something new is blooming.

I watched my family, the ones who’ve been through every chapter with me, and I realized something. Grief feels different when you experience it beside people you love. It doesn’t hurt less, but it heals in pieces. And it hurts in pieces. It’s a strange paradox. It helps, but it hurts. And it hurts, but it helps.

There was something I heard the other day that stopped me in my tracks. It was like someone took all my unspoken thoughts and emotions and gave them a voice. Everything they said matched what I was going through, word for word. It felt like the universe pulled back the curtain and showed me that I’m not breaking. I’m becoming. They talked about isolation not being punishment but preparation, about outgrowing versions of yourself and leaving behind what no longer fits. And I just knew… I’m in that space right now. Life reminded me that heartbreak isn’t just from love lost, but from soul shifts, from becoming someone new. That this version of me emerging is sacred, powerful, and necessary.

I’ve always wanted a big family. Not just in number, but in soul and connection. In branches and roots. And I realized today, I am building that family. It doesn’t have to be blood. Loyalty, love, and understanding make someone family. We are chosen. We are bound by intention. And maybe, just maybe, this grief is reminding me that I am still growing that tree. That the branches are still reaching out, trying to connect to others who need the same thing.

Grieving feels like playing a video game where the levels get harder as you go. Even when you gain experience, it doesn’t get easier. But maybe it’s not about difficulty. Maybe it’s about shifting how we see it. Maybe we stop trying to win and start allowing ourselves to feel it all.

Because today, I saw my father again, for the last. And for the first time, I felt like maybe he’s okay now. And maybe, even through the pain, I will be too.

Posted in Akira, Amy Douangmany, Malynah, Maylana, Parenthood, Self Reflection

Dear Diary, May the beauty of this day…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

and every day moving forward…

Once you move through your thirties and into your forties, something shifts. Your energy changes. Your attention turns inward. Life begins to quietly ask you to start again, only this time with more intention. Friendships take more effort to maintain. Conversations feel heavier. And you find yourself relearning things you thought you had already mastered. It is not a step backward. It feels more like rediscovery.

There are things in life that I cherish deeply, and I hold them close. They feed me in quiet but lasting ways. Being a mother means my mind rarely rests. Even when the house is calm, my thoughts keep moving. I worry about my children’s safety, their emotions, their futures, and their little hearts. Sometimes the people we love the most are the ones who unknowingly teach us the hardest lessons.

Still, I find peace in small moments. I may not have a lot of time for myself, but I try to honor what I do get. In those pockets of stillness, I pause. I breathe. I remember who I am. I remind myself that I am my own best investment. I matter too. And that truth is something I have had to learn over time.

Tonight feels peaceful. I am surrounded by the ones I love. The kids are close by. Music hums in the background. Their laughter floats around the room like warm air. Their joy anchors me. I feel like I am drifting through a gentle season of my life, one that I am learning to embrace with softness.

Today was refreshing. We went to the lake and it was my first time on a boat. The view was breathtaking. The sun shimmered on the water as if tiny crystals were scattered across its surface. The sky was open and calm with soft clouds painting the edges. The temperature stayed in the low eighties and the breeze felt cool and playful, brushing gently against our skin.

We packed a few coolers filled with cold drinks and had plenty of snacks, including wings and fresh fruit. Everyone took turns at the wheel, learning how to steer and feeling the thrill of the ride. Although I did not drive this time, I loved watching each of the girls take their turn. Their excitement was contagious.

The boat moved smoothly but with power. When it picked up speed, it sent wide waves behind us. The water folded and fanned out in beautiful shapes. The engine rumbled softly and created ripples that reached the shoreline and sent a few ducks paddling in different directions. I watched them scatter and then regroup, unbothered, as if nothing had happened.

The lake itself held quiet challenges. Submerged branches and hidden trees made it feel like a secret world beneath the surface. Steering around them was a bit of a puzzle, but the kind that keeps you present. I saw a deer drinking at the edge of the lake, its reflection clear in the still water. Farther out, I noticed small boats floating along. One had a clothesline stretched across it with laundry hanging in the sun. Shirts and blankets swayed gently in the breeze. It made me wonder if people live out there, choosing peace over noise.

Being in nature like that puts everything into perspective. You begin to feel how big the world is, and how much of it is still waiting for you to experience. There are people I have never met, places I have never seen, and ways of life I have never imagined. The lake reminded me of that.

The lesson I carry with me tonight is simple. Even when the water appears calm and clear, there are always things beneath the surface. Things you cannot see but may bump into. Obstacles and surprises. This is true in life too. You will not always be able to avoid what comes your way, but you can learn how to move through it. With grace. With softness. With strength.

Maybe that is what life is meant to be. A collection of feelings. Surprise. Fear. Peace. Joy. Heartbreak. Healing. All of it. The more you allow yourself to feel, the more you will grow. And the more stories you will carry with you. And maybe, just maybe, the more open your heart becomes.

So I’m choosing to allow myself to feel deeply and fully. To let the wind rush through my hair and the water sprinkle my skin. May the beauty of this day and every day moving forward remind me to stay present.

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Healing, Meditation, Parenthood

Dear Diary, Lately, I’ve been…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

sitting with this uncomfortable truth:

Setting boundaries sometimes makes you look like the villain in someone else’s story. I never thought protecting my peace would be the thing people questioned most about me.

But here I am, balancing court dates, figuring out what healing looks like as a mother, keeping up with phone calls that are half static and half emotional landmines, all while trying to remember who I am under the noise. Some nights I drive just to feel the quiet, watching the Bay lights flicker like they’re whispering reminders that I’m still here, still soft, still strong, still surviving.

And yet, there’s this voice, sometimes external, sometimes my own, that asks, “What if you’re the problem?” But I know now, that voice isn’t truth. It’s trauma. It’s people upset that I’m no longer as accessible. I don’t always answer every call. I ask more questions. I don’t always say yes. That doesn’t make me cruel. That makes me healing.

I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m trying to be honest. To be present. To be safe — for my children, and for the version of me that got so used to being last on the list. The one who finally realized her softness doesn’t mean she has to shatter to prove it.

And if that makes people uncomfortable, so be it. I’m still learning how to be okay with being misunderstood.

But I know what I’m building. It’s rooted in peace. And peace doesn’t always look polite.

Love,
A

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Blog, Healing, Parenthood, Romance, Self Reflection

Dear Diary, People don’t know if this is my final rock bottom…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

and they won’t.

Tonight, I cried. Not because I’m weak. Not because I’ve given up. But because I’ve carried so much — silently — and I still show up with love in my hands.

It’s strange, how I can be surrounded by people yet feel like I have no safe person. No one I can fully collapse into without guarding parts of myself. I’ve learned I have to be limited — measured — in how much I share, how deeply I trust, how loudly I hurt. Not because I want to hide, but because I’ve had to protect the very parts of me that make me real.

Still, I choose to believe there’s purpose in this path. That my patience and my perseverance aren’t being wasted. That even when no one sees the full weight of what I carry — God does. And maybe that’s why I’ve been gifted this quiet resilience. This sacred ability to hold space for others even when I have no space being held for me.

I don’t move through life trying to prove I’m better than anyone. I just want to be good. To live gently. To love without conditions. To influence without forcing. And I think I have — because I’m starting to see people reflect back the values I’ve modeled: consistency, softness, non-transactional love, showing up without demanding anything in return.

It’s honoring… but also bittersweet.

I’ve given without titles. Loved without needing to be announced. Held others through their struggles while never unloading my own. And even though I’ve struggled — silently, sleeplessly, sick, and stretched thin — I’m still standing.

I am the source of my own survival.
And I’m not using that source unless I absolutely have to.
That restraint? That quiet? That’s my power.

People don’t know if this is my final rock bottom — and they won’t. Because I’ve learned that mystery is a form of protection. People are curious how I keep going. How I still have faith. How I haven’t collapsed under the weight. And the truth is: I just keep moving. I take the risk of silence, the risk of patience, the risk of trusting the slow work. Even when I’m scared. Even when I’m unsure. Even when it hurts.

Because I know good things are coming.
Because I know being a good person does pay off — even if it’s delayed.

I know this process is long. I know it’s slow. I know it’s not easy. But it’s mine. And I’m proud of myself for how I’ve carried it.

Thank you, God, for keeping me grounded. For keeping my voice steady when my heart is heavy. For reminding me that I don’t need to chase, perform, or prove. I just need to trust — that everything I’ve given in love, in patience, in silence — is being returned in ways I can’t yet see.

I have faith.
And I will always have faith.

—
Love,
Amy

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Blog, Healing, Meditation, Parenthood

Dear Diary, The greater the desire, the greater the disappointment—

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

especially when it’s rooted in fantasy, not foundation.

And here I am… back in the hot tub. Letting the warm water massage my calves, my legs, my thoughts. I’m just here, in cambo, reflecting.

There are so many things a person might want in this life. And for me, one of them — one I’ve always held close — was the hope of having a son. Sometimes I find myself watching other parents with their boys, quietly, maybe even a little curiously.

And then, the reality sets back in. We’re born with nothing. Just breath and the hope for time. Over time, we build skills, talents, memories, understanding, a sense of direction. We gain access to what we need: air, water, food, shelter, clothing. The essentials. But then we’re sold more — the appearance, the titles, the “dream job,” the lifestyle. We start investing in things, in images, in wants.

But at some point, a line has to be drawn: what we need vs. what we want. And the moment you truly accept that difference, everything shifts. Wants are just that — things you don’t need. When you invest too deeply in the wrong things, disappointment becomes a cycle. A habit. Because expectations grow in places they were never meant to.

The greater the desire, the greater the disappointment especially when it’s rooted in fantasy, not foundation.

Today, though… today was peaceful. Productive. I sat in stillness, listened to music, wrote my thoughts out across multiple diary posts. I did what I love most: people-watching. Observing life unfold around me. Watching kids be kids. Watching them love their parents. It’s beautiful to witness dependency in its purest form. Unconditional and trusting.

Independence? It’s loud. Overwhelming. It’s sold as freedom, but often it just turns you into a resource for others: your plants, your pets, your kids, your partner. And if those relationships aren’t balanced or healthy… that role can break you. Slowly. Quietly.

But today, I’m reclaiming my time. Just for me. I’ve created some space to thrive, to reflect, to isolate when needed — and I do well in solitude. I thrive in it. There’s safety there. Knowing that I exist not for others, but for my own goodness.

And that… that’s enough.

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Blog, Healing, Parenthood, Self Reflection, Uncategorized

Dear Diary, I remember someone once asked me,

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

“What are your fears?”

With everything good in life, there’s always a cost. Every beautiful thing we chase comes with a sacrifice. And as we grow older, the weight of responsibility doesn’t lighten—it deepens. There are seasons in life when we’re less independent—our youth, before we’ve found our footing… and later, in age, when fragility and time slow us down. In between is our prime—when we have the energy, the drive, and the ability to care for ourselves. But even in our prime, life demands more than it gives sometimes.

I remember someone once asked me, “What are your fears?” At the time, I didn’t realize that it was a probing question. It was a question designed to get beneath the surface. It wasn’t just about curiosity; it was about vulnerability. Maybe someone, somewhere, wanted to know what could be used against me. But I answered honestly.

I said I feared losing myself. Forgetting who I am, falling away from the things that bring me joy, and drifting from the passions that light me up. That answer still rings true. I realize now that our passions, the things we fiercely protect, are often our softest points. And when we make them visible, they become vulnerable to the world. It’s scary to love something so much that its absence could undo you.

Lately, I’ve been asking myself if I’ve been holding on too tight. Maybe I’ve been too disciplined, too rigid, trying so hard to do everything right; to heal, to grow, to protect my peace. But too much of anything can become a burden, even passion, even the desire for clarity and boundaries. Sometimes we wear our strength so openly, it becomes our weakness.

Still, I’ve come to understand that whether I fight for what matters or walk away from it, I’ll lose parts of myself either way. So I might as well fight. I might as well keep going, even when I’m tired. Because the alternative—letting go of who I am—is not an option I can live with.

There’s a line I’ve been thinking about ever since finishing You, Season 5. Right before the fire in the basement, Joe’s wife says something that stuck with me. She talks about being complicit, about how staying silent or going along with things carries its own kind of consequence. She didn’t use the word “karma,” but the word penance. The sentiment was the same. Even in stillness, there’s a price. And silence doesn’t make us innocent.

Today, I finally let out some emotions I’ve been bottling up. I’ve been trying to find my rhythm again to balance healing with striving, peace with ambition. And while I know the journey ahead won’t be easy, I also know it will be worth it. Breaking out of old habits, stepping beyond your comfort zone—it’s painful, but it’s powerful.

To anyone walking through their own storm: it doesn’t necessarily get easier. But you get stronger. And even in the darkest tunnel, there’s light eventually. Some tunnels are longer, and the midpoint can feel endless—but if you keep moving, even a faint glow is a sign you’re close. I think I’m finally beginning to see mine.

I want to be like that anglerfish deep in the ocean, carrying its own light. I’d rather reach the surface, even if it’s just for a moment of breath and brightness, than stay in the depths with those who have settled into the dark. I would rather breathe alone at the top than suffocate in the company of people who have stopped growing.

It might take years. It might take heartbreak, tears, rebuilding, and long pauses. But I’m here for it. I welcome every emotion this journey brings. Because this isn’t just about survival, it’s about becoming someone I’m proud of. And I know now: the light I’ve been chasing lives within me. I just have to keep choosing it.

Posted in Amy Douangmany, Blog, Parenthood, Self Reflection

Dear Diary, I feel the subtle tension of holding on…

Posted on by Ms. Amy D

and the quiet ache of letting go.

Lately, I’ve found myself caught in a quiet whirlwind. Time has been slipping through my fingers faster than I can hold it, and no matter how much I try to slow it down, I always seem to be running behind it—chasing something I can’t quite name. The days blur, the weeks vanish, and I’m left breathless… not from the pace, but from the weight of everything I’m carrying.

There’s been so much happening all at once. Life has a way of stacking its demands like delicate teacups – each one fragile, necessary, and somehow always teetering. I spoke on my podcast earlier today about how high maintenance life really is. It sounds funny said aloud, but it’s true. To simply exist—especially as a mother – requires so much: water, nourishment, shelter, warmth, connection. Wi-Fi, for goodness’ sake. And if one piece goes missing, everything else begins to unravel.

Then there’s our health. It’s not just about surviving anymore; it’s about maintaining, nourishing, caring. You need appointments, treatments, transportation. And when you don’t have reliable transportation? Even the smallest task becomes a mountain to climb. It’s exhausting sometimes – this constant tending to the needs of life. But I do it, because I’m driven. I want more for myself. I deserve more. And deep down, I know I’m getting closer to a life that feels aligned with who I truly am.

Even my appetite has been changing in ways that surprise me. I’ve been craving simple, comforting meals; things like a messy hot dog, a classic Caesar salad, chicken salad on soft bread, creamy mac and cheese, or even just a humble cup of noodles. It’s almost childlike, the way these foods bring me joy. But it makes sense. As we grow older, even our tastes soften and shift. There’s something sacred about honoring the body you’re in, here and now, before time continues to sculpt and reshape you in ways you didn’t expect. This version of me, in this very moment, is the youngest I’ll ever be again. And that truth humbles me. It reminds me to savor things, to feel them deeply.

And so, I find myself standing in the in-between. I feel the subtle tension of holding on… and the quiet ache of letting go.

There’s a new lifestyle coming; one I’m choosing with full intention. One that asks me to commit, not just to doing better, but to being better. And yet, there’s a part of me that clings to who I’ve been. She’s been strong. She’s survived heartbreak, disappointment, isolation. She’s made something out of nothing. She adapted when life gave her less than she deserved. I love her for that. And it’s hard to say goodbye.

But the next version of me? She doesn’t need to survive anymore. She gets to thrive. Naturally, gently, with ease. She doesn’t hustle for worthiness. She doesn’t shrink herself to fit someone else’s comfort. She expands, blooms, and flourishes because that’s what she’s meant to do.

So this weekend, I’ll be both celebrating and mourning. Honoring the woman who got me here, and welcoming the one who’s long been waiting to be born.

She’s ready.
And so am I.