Reconnect, reinvent, and rediscover your purpose!
If you’re one of the millions of people who have just become “empty nesters” after seeing your first (or last) child off to college, you’re undoubtedly experiencing a myriad of emotions. You go from the sweet anticipation of having your house to yourself, to panic over letting your child make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own lives.
There’s also a considerable amount of grief associated with this huge change because it signifies not only letting go of your child, but also transitioning into an entirely new relationship with them. For us, this was also a very nostalgic time, as we remembered simpler, sweeter times when we drove the cars and the trajectory of our children’s lives, and they relied on us for just about everything.
The best thing to do in the days following your child’s move to college and your entry into emptynesthood is to feel your feelings (and know that it’s completely natural to feel all the things you’re feeling). Plus, while this can be an emotionally challenging time, it’s also worth remembering that, with the loss of hands-on, daily parenting responsibility, comes sweet freedom. A whole lot more of your time just became your own again. All you have to do is decide what you’ll do with it.
This may be easier said than done and you may not know exactly where to start when it comes to finding yourself again. Need some inspiration? Here are some places to look:
1. Discover a New Hobby!
✔️ Do you have a hobby you’ve wanted to start (or spend more time on)? Go for it! Now that you’re an empty nester, you’ll be able to do more of the things that you enjoy. Perhaps you can even discover new recreational activities that you’ve wanted to try for the longest time.
2. Get Together with Friends!
✔️ Have you put off get-togethers with friends because your schedule was jam packed with soccer games, ballet recitals, and your role as a chauffeur for the past 18 or more years? Get out your calendar and get some dinner parties on your schedule!
3. Date Night with your Partner!
✔️ Was your last date night so long ago you can’t remember what you did? Schedule a few date nights with your partner!
4. Plan a Romantic Getaway!
✔️ Have your vacations all centered around destinations that catered to your children for too many years? Why not plan a trip with your partner, even if it’s just a romantic getaway to someplace close by for just the two of you or with friends?
The more you allow yourself to put your needs first, the easier it will become. There are lots of great tools here on this site to help, including our upcoming “Mediterranean Connection Summit.”
During this fun, interactive, 5-day summit you’ll learn from us and our friends, top food, wine, and travel experts. You’ll have a chance to focus on YOUR life, YOUR health, and YOUR people, while learning how to cook, eat, connect, and live in a more healthy, meaningful way (the Mediterranean Way). Click here to learn more!
If it’s been a while since you’ve entertained, you may need some support and ideas for what to serve and how to create an amazing experience for yourself, your partner, and your friends. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it can feel overwhelming.
Our monthly International Dinner Club takes you by the hand and leads you through menu selection, shopping, cooking, and entertaining with fresh and fun ideas every single month. We think you’ve earned some “me time” and a monthly get together with other empty nesters could be exactly what you need to get you to start focusing on what’s next for the rest of your life.
Living life as an empty nester is going to be one of the best seasons of your life. Go share it with your friends, spend intimate time with your loved ones, and see the world! If you want to connect with like-minded people and go on a life-changing adventure with your partner, to you we say, “Welcome Aboard!”
