7 Steps to Maintain a Full Life With an Empty Nest

Parenthood is one of the greatest joys in life. You created these little human beings and helped them grow into young adults. You have endured the hardships and relished in the successes. Years have been invested in caring for them and helping them reach their goals.

But the time has come for them to leave the nest. However, having a quiet home, a slower schedule, and being relieved of some of your parental duties can be scary. As you embark on this new chapter, remember to view it as an opportunity, not an ending. Here are seven steps to help you maintain a fulfilling life during this transition. 

1. Spend Time on Yourself

Being an empty nester means you were previously devoted to the often all-consuming job of raising your children. You dedicated your time, energy, money, and other resources to help them thrive.

But now the focus is shifting back to you. If you already practice routine self-care, you are ahead of the game. If not, now is a perfect time to start. Self-care takes many forms, so experiment to see what best fits your needs. 

2. Re-Evaluate Your Roles

Up until now, your primary role has been parent or caregiver. While you will always have that role at times, it might not be your main character moving forward. Spend some time reconnecting with yourself to remember all the parts you play in life, such as partner, neighbor, and colleague. It is the perfect time to see which to prioritize or move away from. 

3. Connect with Friends and Family

Sitting at home in your empty nest can feel overwhelming and lonely. Now is a great time to resume old social activities or begin new ones. Spending time at social outings and engagements can be a healthy distraction from any negative feelings you experience while alone.

If unsure where to start, lean on your close friends and family. Even if it’s getting out of your house to go to theirs, it’s a good start. Being around others will make you feel less alone.

4. Learn a New Hobby

With children, endless hours were spent getting them ready for school, carpooling them to their extracurricular activities, dropping them off at friend's houses, and taking care of their basic needs. Now that you’ll have increased time to yourself, you will to want to find something new to fill it with. 

Think about the interests, passions, and goals you had before you became too busy to indulge in them. Picking up a new hobby is a great outlet for meeting new people, socializing, and keeping your mind busy healthily. Your options are endless. 

5. Reconnect with Your Partner (or Put Yourself Out There)

So often, people in relationships who have children unintentionally grow apart from their partners. Those not in relationships struggle to find time for themselves, let alone another person. 

An empty nest doesn’t have to mean an empty household. Spend time reconnecting with your loved one to reignite the romantic spark and boost your intimacy levels. If you currently fly solo, take this time to put yourself back out there. You have plenty of life left ahead. Having someone to share in this next chapter can make it even more exciting. 

6. Lean on Others Who Have Been Through It

Life might feel daunting for a little while. Finding someone else who has recently been through the same transition or is going through their own empty nest can be helpful. It could be someone within your friend group, a family member, or outside your immediate circle. 

There are options for connecting with others, whether it be in person or an online community. Receiving help from others is an effective coping strategy. However, being the support for someone else can give you a new meaning and purpose.

7. Seek Professional Help

It is a big life transition from having a child to care for to having an empty nest. The process is easier for some than for others. If you struggle to feel full and manage your emotions, let me help you. Reach out to learn more about reviving your purpose.