In just a few weeks, Little People, Big Wold star Amy Roloff will publish her autobiography A Little Me. In it, the 54-year-old shares what it was like growing up with achondroplasia dwarfism, how she's dealt with bullying and body issues, and what life is like now that she's an an empty nester. Amy also explores the highs and lows of her relationship with her now ex-husband Matt Roloff, who she was with for nearly 30 years. Below, is an expert from her book, out June 4.

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So here I am, an empty-nester and a divorced, single woman. Just saying the words I’m divorced still takes my breath away sometimes. It saddens me that my relationship had to end. It was a living death, and there are moments I feel like I’m still grieving a loss. It was a loss, but it doesn’t mean I stopped living. Marriage is important to me, something I didn’t take lightly, and I still believe in it wholeheartedly.

Many have asked if I have any regrets. Absolutely. I could have done things differently, but we both did what we thought was the right thing. However, I’m glad I don’t have the kind of regrets that would have kept me stuck in the mind-set of if only . . . or should of, could of, would of kind of thoughts. I did at first, but thankfully I got past that. I look with anticipation, as well as a little fear and uncertainty, to the days ahead, but I’m also hopeful. My second act is like a blank white canvas, and I get to choose how it will look. I’m planning to paint it with bright, joyful colors. I don’t want to feel sorry for myself for what I lost, because that kind of thinking isn’t going to help me move on in life, experiencing and embracing new things.

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I’ve taken time to reflect on some of the things I’ve learned and how I’ve grown from my relationship with Matt. At first I felt like a complete failure at one of the most important relationships in my life. However, with failure, we need to allow ourselves to learn and grow from the experience and hopefully be a better person from it. Out of the sadness of divorce I’ve found the Amy I kind of lost. Even facing the uncertainty ahead, I feel I have a new confidence and a stronger trust in who I am, what I think, how I make decisions, and how I look at myself and others. I’m learning to communicate better and not shy away from having different ideas and thoughts from someone else. Boy, do I still have a lot to learn.

It would’ve been easy for me to have fallen into the trap of Poor me, why me, where did I go wrong? and to have overanalyzed everything I did or didn’t do in my relationship. But I didn’t.

Several years ago I came very close to being stuck in the mud of my past with that kind of thinking; I didn’t know how to get out of it. Not only was it not fun, it wasn’t very productive or healthy either. The fear of being stuck was much scarier than facing an uncertain future moving forward. I realized I can’t keep falling into the trap of comparing myself to others, worrying about what I look like, about what others think or will say, and somewhere deep in my thoughts still thinking I’m not good enough. Enough was enough.

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I’m in a healthier place now. My family and friends have always been there for me; I just needed to reach out to them. I regret keeping a lot of my thoughts and feelings to myself instead of expressing them in a constructive way. I regret that I was on the defense a lot instead of being more proactive. I regret building a wall around myself, thinking I could hide from being hurt and protect my emotions and heart, instead of confronting my feelings and expectations head-on. I regret being critical of myself and of those around me more than I should have, instead of appreciating others and myself more. I don’t have to feel as if I’m in competition with anyone. I just need to be myself.

I regret that I felt alone when there were people around me who wanted to help and be there for me, but I closed them out. Cracks were showing, and I wanted to put myself together all by myself. It’s okay to ask for help. Just by being there for me, nothing more, my close friends were a big part of helping me get through some tough personal challenges.

The glue that kept me together was my faith — always has been and always will. Even when I didn’t think God was there, he was; I just didn’t look to see that he was. I was too busy trying to fix everything instead of listening and allowing him to. In the second act I have in front of me are hope, possibilities, and faith. For that I’m grateful.

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In the beginning it was hard, I won’t lie. But as time goes on and things have settled down, the fog has lifted enough for me to see possibilities instead of a dead end. Having made it over the huge mountain that was in front of me, I’m kind of nervous and uncertain about what comes next, but I’m excited and looking forward to what I will make of this second act I have, as well. This opportunity is about finding out what Amy wants to do—where does my passion lie? How will I give to and serve others while staying true to my faith and self?

My house may be empty, but new life has entered my life, having kids who are married and having kids of their own, and becoming a grandma. Life is full of seasons; nothing stays the same. Like a tree in autumn, the leaves have to fall so new growth can come back and start over again in the spring.

Life may feel daunting, but at first everything does until you take a step forward. I’ll admit, being on a new road at this point in my life and being a little person, figuring out my new normal, is a little daunting. But a challenge is upon me, and I’ll rise to the occasion because I have a lot of life still to live.

I’m taking the time to reconnect and get to know myself, and to smile again at the many small moments that are happening around me. I am stronger for the challenges I’ve faced and overcome, and that encourages me as I look toward new adventures that await me. I’m stronger than I think, and I like myself more than I would have imagined coming out of divorce. I have a great community of friends and people around me who support and encourage me. I’m learning to let go so that new opportunities are able to come into my life.

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My father’s words from so many years ago still often float back into my thoughts: God doesn’t make mistakes. My life continues to have purpose and value, and I matter. I’m grabbing life with open arms and an open heart of gratitude, appreciation, and love. What can stop me now? Only I can — my attitude and any roadblocks I put in front of myself.