🎙️ The Honeymoon Is OVER!

Welcome back to another episode! Whew — where do I even start? In this raw and unfiltered episode, I’m getting real about what life has looked like after the initial excitement of change wore off. From the high of returning home to the unexpected weight of transition, I’m sharing how I’ve navigated the tough terrain of starting over (again), losing a sense of grounding, and the emotional reality of living with family, working full-time, and trying to maintain a private practice on the side.

If you’ve ever felt like you were supposed to be thriving but instead felt stretched thin, overwhelmed, or unsure of your footing, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the unglamorous (but deeply human) moments of transition and how I’m slowly reclaiming peace, autonomy, and space for myself — one intentional step at a time.

• Why moving back home felt necessary — and why it hasn’t been easy.

• How I lost myself in the transitions of housing, work, and identity.

• The emotional toll of no longer having my own space (and trying to find peace in one room).

• The impact of stress on my body, my habits, and my bariatric journey.

• How FOMO, family dynamics, and a full workload had me stretched way too thin.

• What it took to reset my priorities — and finally start building the life I needed.

• The relief and freedom I’ve found in securing my own space again.
  

This one is vulnerable, personal, and deeply rooted in truth. If you're in a season of change or feeling pulled in too many directions, I hope it reminds you that you're not alone — and that you can slow down and come back to yourself.

[00:00] Welcome back + podcast intro

[01:00] Why “The Honeymoon is Over” — reflections on returning to California

[03:00] Missing community, physical affection, and emotional connection

[04:15] Challenges of losing space and autonomy — living with family again

[05:20] Overworking, stress, and the toll on physical health [06:30] Bariatric struggles, emotional eating, and feeling ungrounded

[08:00] FOMO, people-pleasing, and spreading myself too thin

[09:30] Prioritizing housing and choosing what to focus on first [11:00] Finding freedom and peace in my new apartment [13:00] Lessons on capacity, patience, and presence

[15:00] Closing reflections and gratitude

“I lost myself in the changes… stress overtook my energy.”

“I was working 10-hour days and then doing private practice on the weekends — I was exhausted.”

“No one else in my family has had bariatric surgery. I was eating what everyone else was eating… it completely threw me off.”

“The thing that worked in one season won’t always work in another.”

“Sometimes when you knock out one of the things, it really sets in motion the other pieces at play.”

“All the things we’ve prayed for, hoped for, wished for — they’re happening. But we’re so focused on the next thing that we miss it.”

“It’s okay to need or want something different for yourself.”

🎶 Music by: Noir Et Blanc Vie

Moments of Authenticity 📧 Email: amber@amberboydtherapy.com 📱 Instagram | Facebook 🌐 Website 🎧 Spotify | Apple