The Empty Nest

So I was at dinner last night with friends, and the subject of empty nesters came up. Life’s seasons tend to accumulate. The next steps come into focus, and for many it's empty nesting, when the last of the "chicks" flies off into the world.

The conversation was positive and inquisitive about that next step as a couple in a relationship that is now changing. In fact watching your children grow and become adults is an amazing process. Filled with pride, hope, longing, sentimental memories, love, support, fear, regret, and much more (and that can all take place in the space of an hour.)

I was reminded of the day we took our oldest son to college.  We were standing in line at Southwest  airlines at the Oakland airport.  I was on the verge of tears, just trying to keep it together. My heart was filled with fear, hope and also sadness.  I looked up, and saw a woman across the way looking at me. She had the most tender smile for me. In her eyes there was a look of knowing.  One look told her our situation, parents taking their son to college. She’d been there, she’d lived it (yup I began the tears right there and then.) 

It later occurred to me that most likely, all through my journey as a mom there had been many other moms knowing me. Watching me with my boys, having lived that scenario, and sending me a supportive smile, look, virtual hug.  Hadn’t I done the same all of those years teaching at the elementary school? Watching the moms hold the hand of their shy child as they walk into the kindergarten class on the first day of school?

I love the term, “I get it.” to me it means “enough said.” The empty nest season brings the gamut of emotions and possibilities. Ready to pivot, ready to grow as your family grows. I developed a process for the empty nest mom.  Three steps to reinvent, redefine and reignite (you can actually use these three steps for most any pivot you are considering.)

In the empty nest, your relationship with yourself changes. As well as your relationship with your child, and  so does your relationship with your spouse or partner. It's supposed to. Relationships are living, breathing and vulnerable. They need to be tended to, nurtured and cared for. Especially the relationship you have with yourself.

It's fun to reinvent yourself in a way that is more aligned with the direction you'd like to go. Same with ALL the relationships in your life.

➡️ Did know that you can do that?

A new beginning is always a natural place for reinvention. If you’d like to explore this, let's talk. Oh, and I also have an empty nest overview and checklist. Check it out here.