Moving Forward

Today's post will be a bit more personal as an introduction into my mental thoughts and self-journey.

It seems like there has been so much going on around the world within the first two weeks of the 2023 New Year! There has been news of heavy snowfall in the Midwest and Northern East Coast, Canada, and then floods on the West Coast! My heart goes out to those who are caught in the middle of it all.

This week, I have been so busy going back and forth between learning, refining skills, and rethinking my blogging niche/website platforms (switched from the Canva website to Wix and may even be switching again due to the flexibility of content-creating options) then going through the agonizing and painstakingly long process of reorganization and rewording of my resume from a few years back.

Getting myself back into the work and career mentality has been confusing and so good for my soul.

I feel more mentally exhausted but at the same time refreshed because I get to do something else besides taking care of the household chores and caring for everyone.

Last week I had a long list of To-Do's that made me feel overwhelmed but this week I wanted to take a deep breath and take in the blessings that I have to have a moment in my life right now to finally be able to think about myself (as do other stay-at-home parents out there when we get a chance to take a breath).

As a Hmong American woman it is so easy to go with the flow and do what I am told is good for me.

For years, I was told to just be a good mother and wife (maybe even a doctor LOL) and everything will all make sense.

In truth, I still don't feel like anything makes sense despite having a loving husband and an amazingly thoughtful child. (I feel this is true even in Disney characters and all those movies/series/books we see out there in the world)

They make sense in the sense that they make me so happy and I now cannot live without them.

But, maybe something is still missing? (Totally not trying to be ungrateful. Does anyone else feel the same way, leave a comment about your experience. Keep reading to see what I'm trying to convey here lol)

This week I have felt a sense of freedom, and it feels selfish to me (especially in the midst of job hunting, building my career skills, and caring for my family) but I think I am beginning to think it's okay to just allow myself to be in a space of "What do I REALLY want to do and how can I make room for my basic self-care needs."

I know this is healthy and it is good but I can't help but feel guilty for having the luxury of thinking this way.

I think every person in any walk of life would agree that life gets so busy with good and bad obligations that we are so prone to forgetting ourselves.

As a mother who has seen my own hardworking Hmong mother do everything in her power to provide and care for her 12 children + grandchildren all her life, I can tell there is something more that she yearns for that she can call her own (besides her family).

As I trudge along this path of moving beyond a full life of just giving my all to my husband and child, I think I'm ready to move forward together with my family and achieve even more joy.

I don't know how or where to start but for now, I want to show my husband and my son that a mother/wife is so much more than just a housemaker, caretaker, and stay-at-home parent.

Thank you for reading and coming along for the ride.

Leave a comment about your journey through parenthood or about a memorable transition that led you to where you are now.

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IF you aren't much for following me with my mental self-journey and parenting style (I am not offended lol) then check out the other blog posts about traveling, food and hidden gems that I find in New York, Japan, and anywhere that stops me in my tracks.

I love finding places that aren't usual tourist attractions because we already have so many of those posts going around and the lines are unbelievably long.

I also have a passion for supporting small businesses and showcasing the food and drinks that they have to offer.