How to Thrive as an Empty Nester

Becoming an empty nester is a bittersweet thing. You love the new opportunities, freedom, and time it affords you. But you hate how much you miss your kids and caring for them every day.

That said, it’s essential to focus more on the exciting opportunities to pursue an independent life if you want to get through the highs and lows of transitioning to an empty nest. Pursue the following ideas to make the most of becoming an empty nester:

Consider Downsizing

One of the most complex parts of having an empty nest is all of your memories in the house are still floating around. Also, your home may be too big now that it’s just you or you and your spouse residing in it.

Downsizing and moving to a new place may be what you need. Of course, you may have to do some updates in your new place to fit your new needs. And you’ll probably have less storage and smaller closets that require space-saving tools and regular decluttering. But your new home signifies a fresh beginning. Embrace it.

Try Something New Regularly

You’ve got a lot of newfound freedom and time with an empty nest. So, why not fill it with hobbies you’ve always wanted to try? Sit down and choose up to five new hobbies you want to pursue.

For example, commit to finishing a certain amount of books in the year. Write a novel or start journaling for personal fulfillment. Exercising, meditating, learning to cook better, and creating your own podcast or social media presence are wonderful hobbies to pick up as well.

Travel Often

One of the best times to travel is when you have an empty nest. You have the time and, hopefully, some money saved up to spend on traveling. So, pick a place you’ve always wanted to visit and plan a lengthy vacation.

Go on spontaneous day trips, short road trips, and visit new places in your state too. It’s all about discovering new people, cultures, places, and things to help you focus on all the good of having an empty nest.

Spend Quality Time With Your Significant Other

It’s natural for your relationship with your significant other to take a back seat while you’re raising children.

But once your children leave the nest, focus on reigniting the passion in your relationship. Go on dates more often. Visit your favorite places as a couple and find new ones together. Explore new hobbies together. Spend every day connecting with your partner on a deeper level.

Pivot in Your Career

One thing great parents do is sacrifice for their children. And one significant sacrifice you might’ve made was working at a job you didn’t necessarily like throughout their childhood to ensure financial stability.

With your children out of the house and taking control of their own financial obligations, it’s a fantastic time to pivot in your career. Get out of that job you don’t like and pursue one you’ve always wanted to. Transition into an entirely new career. You could even go back to school.

Furthermore, a pivot in your career may mean you start working for yourself instead of someone else.

Start a Business

It may not have been possible when you were raising your children, but now may be the perfect time to start a business. Revisit that business idea or develop a new one and pursue it.

Lots of research is necessary before starting any business. So, dig into the internet, business owner friends, and others in your network that may be able to shed some light on how to start a new business seamlessly.

Then, create a business plan to map out your products or services, marketing plans, and long-term business vision. Analyze your finances as well to ensure you aren’t taking on too much.

Starting a business or side hustle will definitely keep you busy and focused on connecting your identity to something other than being a parent.

Commit to Volunteer Work

Immersing yourself in volunteer work is another excellent idea for helping you thrive as an empty nester.

Get out into the world and contribute to a meaningful mission each week. Work at a local food bank, do the paperwork for your favorite nonprofit, build homes for the less fortunate, or find another volunteer opportunity that suits you.

Also, consider starting your own nonprofit to help even more people with a mission you’re passionate about. Of course, it will cost you some money upfront, and you’ll need to document the details of your nonprofit, but it can be just what you need during this time.

Keep in Touch With Your Children

It’s so easy to fall into contacting your children multiple times a day because you miss them. But for you to thrive through the emotional turmoil you’re wrestling with because of your empty nest, you must resist this temptation.

Your children need space to grow, and you do too. So, set boundaries for keeping in touch with your children. For example, give them a call 1-2 times a week. And start a group text with your kids, so you all have somewhere to share encouraging words, funny memes, and so forth. 

Conclusion

Thriving as an empty nester may take time because of how emotionally disruptive the transition can be. However, it’s absolutely possible.

Keep in touch with your children, but focus more on the other activities above to ensure you’re building a full life to immerse yourself in while your children do the same.