Empty Nest. Now What?
It’s the number one question for women and moms after their kids leave the nest: now what?
Time and space are in abundance when your kids leave, and you have no idea what to do. You start feeling sad and lonely. But you also have another feeling at that moment, asking yourself questions and answering hell no! This is not all that I’m doing. This is not all I am going to be. This is a very pivotal moment in your empty nest journey. It shifts something in you and it begins a journey of saying yes.
If what you are doing isn’t lighting you up anymore and you have that feeling inside that there is something else waiting for you, this episode is for you. Your Dare this week is to say, “Yes!”
The Journey of Saying Yes
It was challenging for me to let go of what was. However, one day I said yes to a friend when she invited me to check out a new business idea. I started a side gig that I never thought I would do. I said yes to attending speaker events and personal growth events. That shift helped me navigate the sadness, loneliness, and stillness in my house and it challenged me.
I want you to challenge yourself as well. I’m going to share three steps to help you start feeling better. They will lead you out of sadness and into discovering the next chapter that can be as meaningful, fulfilling, and fun as the last one.
3 Steps to Help You Through Your Next Chapter
The first step: Decide
You’re going to decide what you’re going to be. Part of deciding this is allowing yourself to feel all the emotions and feelings. Go ahead and cry and miss your kids. Sit with the emotions and all the feelings you’re having. Just don’t stay there for too long.
The second step: Let go
It’s about letting go of what was. Make space and embrace what’s next. Your role as a mom has transformed. Wasn’t the goal all along to raise our kids to be able to go out, have new experiences, meet new people and make decisions for themselves? Yes. Well done. Now it’s time for you to accept this shift in your role as the advisor and allow your sons and daughters to make decisions.
The third step: Say yes to you
In this step, you start focusing on your dreams and desires. Start dreaming again and say yes to new, fun, and sometimes scary opportunities. More importantly, your kids are watching you and they will never stop learning from you. What a great gift you’re giving your children to see their mom daring to do new and fun things.
Dare of the Week
Your dare this week is to say yes.
Start by writing a list of things you used to love doing. For example, riding bikes, going to the movies, cooking for sheer pleasure, and reading books. What is something you’ve always wanted to learn or try? That can be anything from taking a new psychology class, learning how to knit, practicing yoga, and anything super cool and exciting!
Choose just one thing on your list and dare to do it.
Take Jodi’s Happiness Quiz and increase your level of happiness!
