The Empty Nest Guide to Success

Man teaching child emotions

Organization and Action Steps for Empty Nesters

As we move into the season of life called, Empty Nesters, it’s important to ease gracefully into it. It is a big transition going from everyday mom to an Empty Nester. Even though you’ve prepared to be an Empty Nester for years, when it happens, it is a different feeling. It’s hard to flip a switch and say, “Now, you’re done.” This is especially true when you drop your last child off at college. Look to The Uncluttered Life’s Declutter Deck® for tips and tricks about home organization.

Organization

  1. Remember, you are not alone. You are going to feel like you’re the only one feeling this way, but you’re not. If needed, seek out a counselor to help you through this transition in life.

  2. It’s okay not to be or feel okay. It’s part of the process. We don’t have to keep it together all the time. Give yourself time to adjust.

  3. Two things can be true at the same time. This means that you can be excited about your children moving out and moving on and still be emotional and heartbroken. It’s part of the process.

  4. It is not your children’s fault that you feel this way. Even if this is a natural feeling for you, it’s also natural that they move on. It is the circle of life.

  5. You were made for more than one season of your life. Your life is not over just because your kids leave home.



Action Steps

  1. Prioritize yourself. In order to help your kids, you really have to take care of yourself. Make this a top priority.

  2. Prioritize your marriage. Many people change roles as their children grow. It’s time to get acquainted with your partner again. This can be an exciting time of life.

  3. Build community because it gives you somebody to reach out to when you’re feeling low. It gives you a reason to get out of the house and someone to check on you. It also gives you the time to make a good connection with someone else.

  4. Allow yourself to dream. Try some of the things you never had a chance to do. Children take up a lot of time. Your time is less focused on them now and more on you.

  5. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Give other people permission to be part of your life.

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How to Be Productive When You’re Chronically Ill