If youโre wondering how to recreate yourself when your children (finally) move out, itโs not as hard as you may think. Empty-Nest Syndrome is real, but with these tips, you can reinvent yourself and thrive under your circumstances. Keep reading to learn how to make your adjustment to this new chapter a lot easier.
CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn easy tips so you know how to recreate yourself when youโre children have grown, including:
- What to Do When the Kids Finally Move Out
- Cooking for Yourself
- Moving House/Downsizing
- Reconnect with Friends
- Adopt a Furbaby
- Seek Inspiration and Interests
- Start Traveling
- Final Thoughts on How to Recreate Yourself
What to Do When the Kids Finally Move Out
If you are a parent, you know that at some point your children are going to pack up their stuff and move out. Somehow, that doesnโt make it any easier. Once they are gone, you will find yourself with an empty house and plenty of free time. That is, until the grandkids come along. But what can you do during those in between years of your kids not needing you and your grandkids wanting you?
Here are some ideas to keep you busy so you thoroughly enjoy the transition.
Cook for Your Own Tastes
There is a good chance that your children’s preferences have dictated your own diet for years. Even if they are not picky eaters, youโve probably made their favorites over and over again.
From now on, you donโt have to compromise on food. You can shop, cook, order, and eat whatever you want! This is especially good news if youโre a foodie.
Now that your children are out of the house and you’re learning how to recreate yourself, it’s time to enliven your menu for adult tastes. Your dinner plate is an excellent place to start your new adventure as an empty-nester. You might even become daring and try things you would have never considered before–and discover your new favorite dish.
That might mean you indulge in your favorite seafood dishes, exotic cuisine, spicy entrees, or bakery treats without guilt. (It is probably a bad idea to start having cake for breakfast, but we arenโt the cake police, so thatโs up to you.)
Move House | Downsizing
You might find that the house you are living in now is too big for just you and your other half. Plus, itโs a lot to keep up a big house and all the maintenance and utilities that go along with itโlet alone cleaning it.
So, now might be a great time for some cross country moving to kickstart the next phase of your life together.
Of course, you donโt want to pick a house that is too small. Make sure you each have the space you need for time together and apart. You will also need a spare bedroom for when the kids come to visit.
This is a great time to streamline your household belongings, too. Do you really need a whole drawer full of serving spoons or several sets of serving dishes? Probably not. Part of defining who you are means defining the right living circumstances.
Related Article: Here are some helpful decluttering and cleaning tips for your house before you move.
Reconnect with Friends
As busy adults, we all know that friendships can get pushed to the side. After all, parenting is a full-time job that doesn’t leave room for much else.
Even if you kept up with old friends or made new ones on the soccer fields, youโll find yourself with much more free time to socialize now than youโve had in a long time. This is one bonus of empty-nesting!
So, now is a great chance to renew those lagging friendships and make new ones.
Seek to connect with other empty-nesters who will be more than happy to accept your invitations and share how they are adjusting to their own empty house. You might even learn some more helpful strategies from them, since you’re experiencing the same stage of life.
Related: How To Regain Your Optimal Self-Confidence: 8 Easy Tips
Adopt a Furbaby
If you are an animal lover, you may already have a family pet. Your faithful furry friend will be a big comfort as you transition to empty-nesting.
But if you donโt have a pet, you should consider adopting one.
There are thousands of pets left at shelters every year that need a new home. If you have the time and the patience to train a dog, you could try fostering before you commit to adopting. Cat lover? Go get yourself a feline friend.
Not only will adopting a pet give you a new purpose and someone to care for, but dogs and (most) cats offer unconditional love and companionship. Thatโs exactly whatโs called for at a time like this, when you might be experiencing a sense of loss and loneliness.
Related Article: Keep your pet safe with these pet-friendly succulent houseplants.
Seek Inspiration & Find Your Interests
Having an empty home can seem daunting at first. You might wonder what to do with yourself for the first few weeks, or even longer.
Remember, this is the perfect time to rediscover who you are and find a new passion or interests. If you can approach empty-nesting with a positive attitude and the intention to embrace your new life, youโll be much better off.
Look for inspiration around you–itโs everywhere!
Maybe you wanted to take up pottery but never had the time. Or maybe you have a forgotten hobby you would like to get back to. You could consider volunteering to make a difference for an important cause. Or, you could finally start that small business idea and delve into entrepreneurship.
Your new identity can be anything you want it to be.
Travel
Is there anything better than throwing some clothes in a bag and jumping on a plane somewhere?
You might have traveled in your twenties with reckless abandon, and there is no reason why you canโt do it again.
Donโt wait for another day. Shop for flattering swimsuits from inclusive brands like SwimSpot and various travel outfits. Get your other travel essentials ready, and book a flight to one of your dream destinations.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many countries have strict COVID-19 health protocols. Make sure you know about and follow all its health and safety regulations before booking a vacation to your destination country.
Then, check the date on your passport and book a last-minute deal. You never know where you will end up.
And travel is a great way to rekindle your relationship, now that youโre empty-nesting. Because not only are you about to recreate yourself, youโre redefining yourself as a couple, too.
Related: 10 Fun Empty Nest Activities for Your Best Vacation!
Final Thoughts on How To Recreate Yourself
There are many fulfilling things you can do when your kids leave home. For the first time in years, you have free time and spare cash for yourself. The biggest problem you may have is deciding what to do next because there are so many options! Just remember to have fun with your free time and youโll enjoy yourself and your empty-nest.
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