The Kids Are Alright…
If you are a GenXer who’s facing an empty nest… If you are/not feeling lonely or lost after your children have left home… I’m here to say after the initial adjustment, life is great and you’re not alone. I’ve been swimming in this new ocean for five years and it’s been a phenomenal time.
We’re all a resourceful lot. I’ve lived my life with Plan A, B, C, D, E and F (for f*** it) when all else fails. But, sometimes we all look to resources to get us through.
You might be wondering how to make the most of this new phase of life. I found in many ways I had more in common with twentysomethings than my peers who were married and still raising children, but with the gift of experience. After 32 years as a parent at the time, I finally had the time to solely think about myself, to pursue my passions, and enjoy more freedom and flexibility. But, that first year made my head spin with all the change – a new role in my career, empty nest, loss of my mom, moving, building a new social circle, and meeting my husband, I had been single post-divorce for more than a decade by choice.
Getting New Sea Legs…
I didn’t feel quite ready when it all happened, and you may not either (let me know in the comments). If you are feeling lonely or lost after your children have left home, you are not alone, but most of us are more equipped than we realize, after-all we are the original latch-key kids.
Seriously, many parents struggle with the transition from being a full-time caregiver to an empty nester. That uneasy feeling. But this can also be a time of opportunity and growth. Here are some resources for empty nest life that can help you find joy and purpose in this new stage.
- How to Thrive with an Empty Nest: 33 Things to do after the Kids Leave Home: This blog post by Jane at Home shares her personal experience of overcoming sadness and finding happiness as an empty nester. She suggests 33 activities that can fill your time and enrich your life, such as volunteering, learning new skills, traveling, reconnecting with friends, and pursuing your passions.
- Empty Nest Advice for Moving Forward – ThoughtCo: This article provides 11 tips on how to move forward with your own life once your kids leave home, such as putting yourself first, rediscovering your identity, exploring new hobbies, making new friends, and planning for the future.
- Downsizing: The First Step in Living a More Active, Healthy, Social Life. This article from Next Avenue explains how moving to a smaller home or a retirement community can save you money, time, and hassle, and open up new opportunities for fun and friendship.
- What are your empty nest plans? : r/GenX – Reddit. This thread from Reddit is a place where you can share your empty nest plans with other GenXers, get inspired by their stories, and find support and encouragement.
There are many resources for empty nest life that can help you navigate the changes and make the most of it. Remember that we are not alone in this journey, and you can have a plan for you in this season as we enter the third act of this four-act play. My goal is to continue a fulfilling and meaningful life. What about you?
Our Humble Road 