6 Ways to Reimagine Life After the Empty Nest
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- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2018
- 6 Ways to Reimagine Life After the Empty Nest
The day that your last child leaves the house and you realize that you have an empty nest is bitter-sweet.
After the initial shock wears off, you find yourself with time to live on your own terms. Then, you realize that you’re not even sure what that means!
Today, I would love to talk about the journey that many of us take to re-imagine life in our empty nest. I’d also love to share a few of my personal experiences and to ask you about yours.
Join us for a cup of tea (or coffee) and a chat. And, if you enjoy the show, please tell one friend about us today. Your support means so much to me!
How would you describe the experience of adjusting to life in an empty nest? What dreams do you have for the decades ahead now that you have a bit more time?
Please join the conversation and tell one other woman about Sixty and Me today. The more the merrier!
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****SHOW NOTES****
Turning a new chapter as your children leave home can be a powerful moment to claim who you are more fully and explore new horizons for your life!
In your 50s & 60s, you’re entering the second half of your life. For many women, an empty nest is a major shift. Initially, when the children are gone, you may have a feeling of relief because the needs and demands of teenagers have vanished.
For other women, it is a painful time. When your primary job has been to parents, there is now grief.
#WaystoReimagineLife #SixtyAndMe
I’m 49 and my children are grown with one living overseas. We are about to start our own business in a month,
Love to ride motorbikes, sail our boat, paint, spend time with the grandkids, however, I have no female friends because I shifted countries and left my entire social circle behind 10 years ago and with not having my children at home any more the opportunity to meet other ladies has decreased dramatically. I am really missing
Having friends and so glad I found you on RUclips!
Hi Jaz, thanks for joining us here on RUclips. If you would like to learn more about Sixty and Me channels you can go to www.sixtyandme.com/start Have a great rest of your day!
You are right, I still worry about my 3 grown children, I let them be, made mistakes and learn from it. I pray a lot for them, and for me empty nest is not bad I just keep myself busy, mostly go on a road trip for a weekend... Hopefully one day I'll take a vacation to Europe or to Asia my bucket list😍👍🏽
Glad I found this video, I'm going through a time in my life where my kids are almost all grown. I've always worked everything around being the best Mom I could. Jobs, friends, hobbies etc...now that they are grown I'm finding myself a bit lost and trying to figure out what I'll do next. I have no idea what my vision is for the future, desperately trying to figure that out now. Honestly wish I would have planned for it more but it always seemed so far away. Hoping and praying that the next 25 years will be as happy as (God willing) the last 25 were but I certainly have my doubts because being a Mom has been my best job! Thank you for the input, it was helpful :)
I feel exactly the same, wish there was a support group for us!
So happy to have found you ! I was in tears listening for you concerning the empty nest.... My dear son took his own flat two years ago. So hard to live for myself.... Thank you so much. Sandrine, France
My 23 year old son was just transferred to BC
I’ve never been without him
I have just cried myself to sleep for the last 3 days
Being a single momma
I’m f going to miss his face so much
I love your new hair cut. I’m amazed at your daily blogs each day, your tea choice and your necklace collection and your topics that make us all think. When our daughter went off to college, we started traveling and discovering how much we enjoyed our time together. Ten years later my husband died and my world seemed to have died. We had plans to move to Europe and live there for awhile. He was a planner and was such a delightful man who loved surprising me. I think our daughter was jealous and maybe a bit peeved that we were enjoying our life without her...
Thanks Lani for sharing your story. Families are so complex aren't they? Take care x
Hi Margaret... I just found your video because I have been struggling with empty nest for a few years now. Feeling lonely and not appreciated for everything I’ve done for my children. Having a really hard time finding who I am right now. Ty for your advice.
This is exactly how I feel, And it's bringing up so much feelings of childhood grief and loss at losing my mother as a baby that it is feeling a bit unbearable but I'm hanging in there looking to find support and encouragement because I really want my kids to see that their mother is OK so they don't have to worry about me. I also want to be strong for me and I don't want to cry forever.
Same 😞
Love the new haircut. Makes you look younger. And love your new teacup and plate. What a happy meal that's going to make. I think I missed the last child leaving home as I was in the process of starting my business plus commuting from NY to FL setting up hospice care for my Mom. Also, youngest, a daughter, ended up working for me weekends and summers so the shift was phased out. After I sold the business and retired, I took up heirloom sewing and starting a free MSN website on that topic. From there I was on to learning Ayrshire embroidery. My 60's was a very challenging and exciting time. And yes - I too worry about my children and the grandchildren. Prayer helps - before they leave, while they are first out, and now married and raising their families. Now ending my 70's - find I'm slowing down so very much, but still learning and trying to make a difference and leave some more footprints.
Oh my goodness, how timely! I am driving my youngest to college TODAY and have been contemplating just these things. Grateful to hear your thoughts.
I love color too Pahla! Enjoy your beautiful bohemian self!
I'm learning to reinvent my life 😊 and live for me at 58 as a single divorced woman. Learning to live life again but this time for myself ☺️❤️
That is a beautiful cup! I found this video because I am about to be an empty nester. My youngest just graduated and went off to a European trip yesterday and I am missing him already!
Looking here for encouragement. Life is changing and it’s been hard especially since I have been a mom for over 30 years and my youngest is 12 still but I am feeling the Strain if kids leaving and feel like they don’t care about me but I know it’s supposed to be their happy life so I need to reinvent a life of my own! Thanks for your wisdom !
My kids don't really need me any more. I've probably meddled too much. I do understand that, because it's a trait I don't appreciate in my own mom. I just want to find things I enjoy and not feel too guilty about the past. Learn from it, yes, but learn to move forward in my life.
Great episode!
I seldom comment, but I am here, and I must let you know that I LOVE you in your new hair style! Although I typically really like longer hair, THIS look is so flattering to you. Honestly, I have been longing to see you make this decision, so I 👍🏼 this look! You look even more lovely than I imagined... not to mention younger! So... I hope you love it and get a million compliments!
-Have a great day!
Thank you so much Gigi - your compliment means a lot to me !
Love the haircut. I loved being an empty nester as my husband and I were able to rediscover together why we got married in the first place.One thing we did was meander around our country for 6 week at a time in our little camper. So many women are widowed in the fifties and they never have this delightful situation. I figure we had 32 years before he got sick.
I spent 12 years being a full time mother and housewife. During that time I did tons of volunteer work. I don't feel guilty now as I've done my bit but I now happily write generous checks to the charities that are in my giving plan. At this time of my life I don't do much of anything. I take care of my sick husband, travel (my wonderful children share in his care) , read, watch Netflix, etc., keep house, and take care of myself and my own health problems.
Thanks so much for sharing your story - take good care!
I want to thank you for the kind words and for sharing with us your experience. My daughter is moving out next week and as a single-mom, that is basically a chapter of my life that will come to a beautiful end. But it hurts. I had never thought about what I want the next chapter (s) to look like... I will now thanks to you.
I too am a single mom and my youngest will be moving out in August for college. He will be at a local university and living in the dorms, but having the whole house to myself after raising two children here will be quite different. It is truly bittersweet.
Aw I love this! I became an empty nester couple months ago and I too now hangout at the art museums and botanical gardens nearby. I find time spent in nature SO soothing & healing!! 💖
Just almost at empty nest 80% of the time ir 90% at age 62 in a new town as a single mom. Challenge! Thanks for doing this it’s very cheerful and helpful!
Your hair is beautiful! I enjoyed your talk about adult children. Mine are 25 and 35. It’s a journey and we never stop worrying or thinking we know better.
perfect. my only child left college a few months ago. so good to hear advice and that im on the right track. ive got many plans and contemplating moving to a big city since i am no longer tied to where i live and seeking adventure while still able. thanks!
Love the shorter hair cut. More off next time!!! I am so glad that I have found you. At 63 years old, I have no idea what to wear these days. I really enjoy listening to you. It’s like having a friend with me. 💐
Love your enthusiasm, brings optimism. I'm approaching empty nest and already feelings of aloneness and asking myself what will I do. Want to travel more, have a clean organized house lol, but thinking about work helping others.
Love your new haircut Margaret! It's so flattering for your face shape. Thank you for another great topic.
Thank you for your hopeful presence ❤️
Beautiful hairstyle, it looks great on you! Thanks for the tips, I appreciate you so much.
Your hair is the first thing I noticed!! Love the length!! Your necklace looks great with your top. My child is grown, but I help almost daily with one or two grandchildren!
I've been really struggling with my feelings but I must say your video really helped me to focus on what is ahead of me instead of my loss and what is behind me thank you for this video
Hair looks lovely! Daughter just moved,started teaching! Hear her side over long comute,and apt. With problems. So,alone, but not worry free!
Thanks for this video. Great topic and you brought up aspects not 'commonly' addressed. LOVE the hair cut!
I just turned 69. Surprise to me! I've always seen myself much younger. This year pinched me with REALITY.
After a mega successful career and younger life; the past twenty-twenty-five years have been quite the opposite. New romance, marriage and SUDDEN death of partner! All our plans washed up. Didn't cross my mind this was possible. NOW: I'm faced with 're-evaluating' and building a 'new plan'. Wish I could get my heart into it more. It' ll come. May mean relocating, etc. Gathering options now. In prayer and open to receiving. I Enjoy your channel and find it meaningful~ KUDOS to you~
Yes… I ‘m new to this only a week out and this is one of them. I can go get my hair and nails done finally!😂 thank you
Our nest goes from empty to full. Six adult children and a total of 10 grandchildren plus one on the way. All live out of state except 1 unmarried, so when they come to visit it's fun, crazy, tiresome, loud, but happy at same time. Downsizing is not an option right now, but getting rid of "stuff" is going to be a lot easier as one of our children and her family will be moving here soon... So I get to pass on to her many items from my mother and my grandmother that my daughter actually wants!!! So blessed!
Your voice is so soothing and comforting.
Good morning, love the hair. This is nice. Beautiful way to start the morning. Yes iam feeling like traveling now.😊
Your hair is marvelous! There was a lot of food for thought in this video. I just retired last month and I'm trying to find my way into what my next chapter of life will be. I don't want to waste any time because this were more than likely be my last chapter and I want to accomplish things but there's so much to choose from. I'm having a hard time narrowing that down. Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas that you share with us. Love your program.
Thanks Shelley!
So awesome!!! Love 💗 Your tips!!
That is exactly what I am working on now, MY life vision. I’ve felt a bit off balance for awhile and one day realized this is what I’m struggling. Glad I happened on your video. New subscriber. Oh and I just turned 61.
Thank you Marianne for joining - you are very welcome! If you would like to learn more about Sixty and Me you can visit our website at www.sixtyandme.com/start! Welcome!
Thank you so much for your words. My first week in the empty nest now 😙 ❤
You can do it!
Love the hair, love the cup and saucer
Hi Margaret....loving your haircut and new cup! I think the Brits refer to that size of cup as a "morning cup".
RE-imagine is a good way to put this. My fifth child (of six) leaves TOMORROW and I'm sooo feeling the feels. augh
Thanks for wonderful suggestions
Your hair is lovely! And that cup and saucer is exquisite and gorgeous!!! Do you like it better than your rainbow mug-LOL! Thx again for all your wonderful topics and insight.
Love that you remember my rainbow mug :-) Have a fabulous day!
Such a lovely post
Love your new hair style. Have a blessed day! Every blessing
The strange place I’m in, I call “the big empty”. It’s now my time but I feel as a deer in headlights. Not sure what I want to do with all this time. And menopause has left me very fatigued. But I find small things lately that excite me creatively. Hope I turn a corner... love your channel and your lovely energy.
Your haircut is fabulous but I so love the place setting I just really love the cup set. Many thanks again for the timely topic and your wonderful presentation. Greetings from east meadow ny Usa
Thanks Henrietta!
Great hair style - a chic classic!
Love your new haircut!❤
Your hair style is a most becoming look for you ... LOVE it! Makes you look YOUNGER too! Love the gorgeous dishes too! And as much as I love my "children" I am absolutely loving being a long-time empty-nester. So much to do and one day is barely long enough ... well into my 70's now and just having fun!!
Hi Geraldine - thank you for your kind comments and for your support of Sixty and Me! Glad you are having fun in your life!
They did great on your undercut adorable on you tre'chic 😊👍lovely dinnerware !!!
Thanks Patricia!
I looooove it!!!! i love that tea set HIIIIII lol
Hi Margaret, beautiful hair style ... Love it. Have a great day.
love all the jewel colors
Hello all...Margaret your haircut is very chic...really suits you! Great topic too..I'm a museum lover too and find it very fulfilling. Good night too all. Debbie
Thanks Debbie!
LOOOVE YOUR HAIRCUT!!!
I love your new cup! It's similar to the design on your gorgeous cushion! Oh that museum sounds great. What about the art gallery in Zurich, we almost made it there last visit. Next time in Switzerland I'll add Picasso museum, lucerne to my list! Long way from Australia but I just adore Switzerland! I think I'd enjoy living there for a while. And love your hair too, very flattering! Xx linda
Thanks Linda for your kind words and comments ! Have a wonderful day!
Great vlog I've been in the empty nest apart from a boring husband who never wants to travel or do anything these days except to go out and drink with his mates for many years now. Luckily I have two lovely daughters and grown up grandchildren and two great grandchildren and two more on the way and I get to go and stay with both more daughters and visit my grandchildren every couple of months. I fill my time when I'm home going out with a lovely friend, sometimes go on day trips with our local coach company or we just go out for coffee and a cheap lunch and just chat. When I first retired I joined the U3A like another lady on here and I learned French with them and also went to the History lessons. My friend and I are thinking of joining the WI this winter or a similar organisation. 😀
This will sound odd but I don't suffer with the empty nest syndrom, I"m suffering with the empty kennel syndrom. I have been an advid hunter and always hunted with dogs. I'm 75 yrs old now. I've seen my dogs get old, struggle, suffer and die. They didn't just move out. I have nursed some of them for months before their passing. Now I have one 11 yr old dog left. I love going with her to the forest and she loves it too. Hunting and being out with my dogs day and night was my life. Now I'm depressed. When I walk past my dog box, I look inside just to get a scent of my beloved dogs. I'm too old to get young dogs. I don't want to die and leave my dogs behind. So I too must reinvent myself. I need a new indentity.
hi Margaret, love your new haircut, it really suits you!
So good I found you. I am struggling with the fact my son is soon leaving to another country to study and start his life there. I'm so happy he's actually doing this, but $&#$ I'm going to miss him a lot!!! Please, help!
Love your channel and blog!
You look great !! New Hair cut :)
Just started watching your vlog and was going to say your hair looks lovely when you said you had just had it cut, I've just got back from the hairdressers, my hair had got half way down my back and I've had it cut to just a bit longer than yours and it looks great. Right I'll watch the vlog now 😁
Thanks Suzie for the kind compliment - I am sure your hair looks fabulous!! Hope you enjoy the video! :-)
Great video. I've had an empty nest for 6 years now. I sometimes wonder how I found time for the family and housework. My passion has always been day trips so I try to do one a week. Evenings in with a group of friends is another good nest filler, we play cards but alternatinely it could be a book club. Another bonus of free time is adult education, here in the UK we have the U3A (university of the third age) which is goldmine of new interests. Hair looks lovely.
Thanks so much Catherine! I need to check out the U3A - have heard good things!
What a great idea...I love day trips and stay-cations too!
My son has left home only 2weeks now, I feel lost and so sad and just so nconnected with myself and what's out the front door. I feel like I'm going nuts, I don't know myself any more, am I going crazy?
Hi Helen, how are you feeling now? I feel the same as you, daughter is moving overseas and I feel ill.....hope it gets better - sending you warm wishes
Paraphrasing St Teresa of Avila who said that now that we are alone, we are to strive to find a companion and what better companion than God Himself. He is found in stillness and quiet. He is the Eucharist.
You are such an inspiration to me ❤
Hi Sharon - so happy you find the videos inspiring! If you want to learn more about Sixty and Me you can go to www.sixtyandme.com/start. Thanks again for your kind words!
your hair looks lovely and that cup n saucer i love
Aren't they adorable!!! Love the finds in a charity shop - i am treasuring these for sure!
Nice hair cut...and I adore that lamp in the background!
That is a beautiful cup
Love your hair!
Your hair cut looks great!
Hi and good morning from Kansas City! Love the hair!
I loved your video
I love your new haircut!!!
Lovely hair cut and the cup and saucer 💐 please Margaret don’t forget the clause caption (cc). it is very helpful for non English speakers thank you
I just miss him so much.
Love the haircut.....
Wow, touching some of my buttons: Friendships: I had more 'older' friends; who are no longer here. It's difficult to find people with similar interest at this phase. I find others are off doing their thing, busy with their family or friends, or feel broke and don't have the extra income to do things. ALL this is CHANGING. I've been asking the UNIVERSE to bring 'the right' friends into my life. In my younger years, I imagined I'd be married and enjoying retirement with my husband. OOOPS, didn't plan on a divorce. 10 years later, met the man of my dreams and within 6 WEEKS, he became ill and soon died! OUCH! We had planned a retirement of that "SLOW Travel" you mentioned. Going someplace and staying a month or two, then moving on. Someone recently said to me: "MaryLouise, just because Larry died, doesn't mean your dreams had to die." I found this profound!! Because I had buried our dreams when Larry was no longer here for us to share them. Therefore now, I'd love to find someone who would like to do some 'slow travel' adventures and get going! Thanks Margaret for this video!
Your hair, make up, wardrobe and accessories are ALWAYS NICE~. LOVE the cup, saucer, plate! We have similar taste! If it's purple, I'll buy it. : ))
Thanks MaryLouise for sharing your story - i am so sad you lost the man you loved so much. I hope you find some strength in the articles we have written on Sixty and Me. You might want to check the articles by Yvonne Broady - she lost her husband too and wrote some very practical and loving articles - here is the link sixtyandme.com/author/yvonne-broady/ Take care. x
Thanks 🥰
Your hair! It makes you look a little younger and a LOT classier! Very nice! ❤️
Preferring to focus on your hair because the topic hit home and I can’t quite focus on that yet. 😐
Thank you Joan. Glad the topic hit home - take your time with it. Thank you for being here. Margaret
oh yes, your hair is lovely..really suits you..love your blogs vlogs..whatever you call them
Thanks Peggy!
Love your hair!!
Thanks Linda!
just turned 40, both my kids are now out of the house (19&21). I work full time as a manager at what was suppose to be a part time job (lol dont ask, long story). Im blessed to have saturdays off, but i work 12 hr days right now. tbh idk what to do alot of the time with my free time. i go to the gym on my days off and i clean ( 2 story house ,3bedroom ....kids rooms still have some of their stuff....2bath house) but then what to do? I am a CIV with our local cadets but tbh im bored, i would love to find more groups to join , but my hubby isnt a social person... so what do people do now with all your free time? TIA
I think your hair looks really nice. I have grandchildren who are young adults and we live fairly close to whom we meet and can encourage as they do us with their fresh ideas. My one grandson suggests books and when we both read them we can discuss them which is great communication. One of my granddaughter’s loves cooking so we discuss that, the other art so we discuss that - I relish their ideas and that makes me feel vibrant and alive.
Hi Sandra - thanks for sharing your story - i agree grandchildren can be wonderful!
First thing I noticed. Love love love you new haircut. Makes you look ten years younger, maybe more!
Thanks Stacy!
Love your new hair cut. It is very becoming on you.
Thank you very much Rebecca!
Love the haircut, special love for that top!!
You are so sweet Lorna - thank you very much!
Ur welcome 😊
I love the cup and it reminds me of Kaffe Fassett material. I have no idea if he puts his designs on cups/mugs.
You look much younger with this hair cut 😍
Love the new dishes. I collect tea cups too. How do you store yours in a small flat.
I have one cupboard for dishes that i use every day - nothing in storage :-)
Love the hairstyle on you!!
Good hair cut. I'm going for nose tip reassignment veey soon. We do it for ourselves. 😚
Hair looks great something new always feels good. My nest isnt empty yet but thats ok both my boys are adults now and we have a great relationship ,im just starting to figure out the income thing right now.
Lauren Southgate =
I'm English and I LOVE cups and saucers. At least I know one thing I like lol
Margaret, love the new you, haircut makes you look much more
Youthful!
Thanks Barb!
Great haircut.
Omg Margaregt I want that cup and saucer - you just can't get those here in Seattle.
Check out the website Pip Studio - i think they ship internationally :-)
So cute
I have a thing with dishes too, esp
Tea cups. It’s my English Blood in me too.
Isn't it funny that seems to be a British trait! :-)
You look beautiful, and love your hair ...