Empty Nester – A definition that will soon describe my time of life. I am a few months away from my youngest moving off to college and my oldest to off campus housing. As I think of how fast the last 18/19 years have passed, I am sure the next few months will be gone in the blink of an eye. How many conflicting emotions can I have at the same time? I believe the transition to this stage of life will give me the answer to that question. First and foremost, I acknowledge how hard letting go is going to be. Both of mine will be leaving the nest soon. I have an amazing relationship with each of my children, so when I think of 2019 I feel the loss ahead of me.
empty nester
noun
empty nest·er | \ -ˈne-stər \
Definition of empty nester
: a parent whose children have grown and moved away from home
As defined by Miriam-Webster.
Becoming an Empty Nester Can Actually Be Fulfilling
In the same breath, I can honestly say that I AM EXCITED. I am excited for this time in their lives; what a wonderful time of life they are entering. I am also excited for this time in my life.
As parents, most of us live our lives overwhelmed just to keep up with careers, households, family, technology, information, and everyone else’s lifestyles. The number of decisions we make in a day is staggering. “What’s for dinner?” begins to feel like the straw that broke the camel’s back, mostly because of the multitude of decisions we’ve already made that day. I am excited to simplify. Specifically, I am excited for the calmness brought to my life by simplifying.
The following tips to simplifying are my rendition of tips given on www.healthyemptynest.com …. I highly recommend you read all that you can from “experienced” empty nesters to reach your happy place.
- I truly believe a simpler life has value. You need this mindset to make the changes you will be making during your transition to “empty nester”.
- Let go of time commitments that you don’t love! IE: don’t love grocery shopping? Order online, and use a delivery service (Shipt.com and Kroger.com are popular). Don’t love house cleaning, use a maid service … it’s more affordable than you think (especially with fewer people in the home). Don’t want to go to a 2 year old’s birthday party, then politely decline.
- Material things complicate your live, create stress, drain your bank account and your energy. Simply said, the more you have, the more you have to take care of. Look around, is what you are hanging on to worth what you put into it?
- Stop Multi-tasking. NOW. Multi-tasking lowers your productivity. Learn to single-task by focusing on one project at a time. Take joy in completing it.
There are many ways to simplify your life. There are many ways to enjoy this season of your life. While the transition will be hard, there is so much to look forward to. Do the things you love. Read more. Travel more. Socialize more. Love more. Plan and do for YOU. I plan to do the same for me. The definition of empty nester will soon apply to me. As for the term “empty nester”, I am not planning on this stage of my life to be empty at all.
