Finding yourself an “empty nester” in the middle of your life can come with a myriad of feelings. On one hand, your kids are out doing all of the great things you prepared them for. As a parent, there’s nothing like seeing your children grow and thrive on their own.

On the other hand, you might wonder what comes next for your own life. You spent so much time raising children and getting them ready for the real world that it’s easy to feel a little lost when they leave home.

Thankfully, navigating midlife when your kids leave home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let’s cover a few tips you can use to embrace this chapter.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

No matter how you think about this stage of life, it’s important to embrace it. What you’re feeling isn’t “silly,” and it’s not something to be ignored. Acknowledge the sadness, loss, or even relief you might feel. This will make it easier to process everything, so you can move forward.

Suppressing your emotions can lead to extra stress and could contribute to issues like anxiety and depression. Emotions always demand to be felt, so make sure you’re acknowledging yours.

Lean on Your Support System

If you have a spouse, partner, or co-parent, now is the time to lean on them. They’re likely experiencing the same feelings and might not know how to deal with them.

Now is a great time to take a look at your relationship and consider redefining it. What kind of couple do you want to be now that the kids are out of the house? Do you want to travel more? Do you want to work more or less? Leaning on them for support and deciding what you want to do can be a big help.

Additionally, connecting (and reconnecting) with family and friends will make a difference in your life. Don’t be afraid to build new connections as you start to discover who you are and who you want to be.

Practice Self-Care

As a parent, you have likely spent most of your time making sure your kids’ needs were met every day. Now that they’re out on their own, it’s time to start focusing on your own needs again.

Self-care can feel like a somewhat foreign thing to a parent, but it’s incredibly important for your physical and mental well-being. It can look different for everyone. So, find things to incorporate in your daily routine that promote your overall wellness.

Everything from getting more sleep to exercising daily will help. If you’re specifically focused on your mental well-being, try something like mindfulness, meditation, or journaling. Self-care doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or expensive. It’s about making the most of small moments that can make a difference in your life.

Set New Goals

As you prioritize self-care and examine this next chapter of life, consider setting new goals for yourself. Personal or professional goals that align with this period will give you something to look forward to. They will keep you motivated and give you a positive perspective on what comes next.

Reach Out for Support

If you find you’re still struggling with this stage of life after your kids have left home, don’t hesitate to consider something like couples counseling for you and your partner, or life transitions counseling for your own needs with someone who understands the issues for women in midlife.

Professional support can be a great way to better understand and process the emotions you’re dealing with. Beyond that, you’ll learn more about yourself and what you want to do next.

Kids leaving home will always stir up a range of emotions. However, with the right mindset and support, you can thrive in this next chapter of life. If you’re looking for a bit more of that support, don’t hesitate to contact me today.

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