Moving my kids out of the house was hard on me, especially because it left a space in my heart. However, it’s not exactly the worst thing to happen in the world—in fact, it’s pretty awesome that they’ve grown up enough to take care of themselves.
Experiencing empty nest syndrome after the kids moved out gave me some tips on how to cope with it. Here are some of them
Get a Pet
A pet is a great way to fill the empty nest. Whenever I missed my children, animals gave me so much of their love, support and companionship.
I also learnt that getting an animal isn’t as difficult as it used to be: there are classes out there that teach how to take care of specific animals. For instance, I knew I needed a Dog leash for a dog pet and a litter box for cats.
I also had to remember that every animal is different and some may not be right for me even though it seemed like they would match up perfectly with my empty nest lifestyle.
Volunteer
Volunteering was another excellent way to keep me busy once the kids move out, even though I did some of it while they were still at home. Anyway, it’s always good to give back to my community, as well as helping the people who need it.
The two types of volunteer work that I think are best for empty nesters are pet care and mentoring. Volunteering at a pet home after my kids move out ensured I made time for them, minimizing times when I felt lonely.
That’s why volunteering is such an excellent option for an empty nest parent: It allowed me to spend time with animals while giving back to the community.
Plan a Getaway
I planned a getaway to get away. Besides, my partner and I needed to take some time out for ourselves now that the kids are gone.
There’s nothing like a weekend away at a bed-and-breakfast or even just an overnight trip upstate or down south to clear my head and make everything seem new again. So while traveling by myself or with the company is usually something I don’t look forward to, I tried not to think about it too much.
Get Creative
Another great way to keep busy after the kids move out is with creative pursuits. I know that sounds weird, but it really is a good idea! I didn’t mind that I’m not into drawing or music or writing or whatever; having some sort of artistic outlet was very helpful.
Conclusion
So there it is, four simple ways I thrived in my empty nest after my children move out. Granted, some were not my cup of tea, while others got to me after some time. However, I managed to get past the overwhelming feeling of trying something new and ultimately loved doing them all. One thing was for sure, getting my life back after my kids moved out bumped me out, and it took me some time to get my head around it. But, I am in a good place now.
