Whether your child has just left for college, gotten married, or moved out for the first time, it is common for parents to feel sadness or grief in this phase of letting go. If the child was the last to move out or your only child, it will be even harder to adjust to being an empty nester. However, there are a few ways to thrive in this new phase of your life and explore the freedom it can offer.
Consider a New Start
It might be time for you to make some lifestyle changes as well, especially if your home makes you mourn all the good times you had in it when your children were young. While the thought of letting your home go may make you feel sadder, a fresh start can give you a home that better matches your new life. You can have fun picking out décor and furnishings to suit where you are now.
Don’t forget to include your finances in this phase of starting over. Chances are, you made some decisions with your kids in mind, whether that was putting off an expensive vacation or getting a life insurance policy, so this is a good time to reevaluate how you manage your money. If you no longer need your policy going forward, you may be able to sell your policy, so you have one less monthly expense. You can look over a guide with more information on what you should know before you sell your policy.
Do Things to Make Yourself Happy
After so many years of focusing on your kids, it may be second nature to focus on others before yourself. But this is a great time to focus more on yourself. Think about the things that make you happy, whether it’s travel, spending time outside, crafting, or reading. Direct your energy toward the things you enjoy doing.
It can help to come up with a list of things you want to do while you still have your health and are up for new experiences. Maybe you want to enter a new career field, even go back to school, or you may have wanted to travel the world but didn’t have the funds to pay for yourself and your kids to go. Adding these things to your list will ensure you get to do them. Making a list will ensure you don’t forget anything that might be important to you, so you don’t have regrets later about missing out.
Get a Makeover
The way you see yourself impacts the way you feel about yourself. Seeing yourself in a positive light can be a huge self-confidence boost. When you had kids, you may not have had time to get a manicure or have your hair done. By upgrading your wardrobe, it can help you shed the frumpy parent look and help you feel more polished and sophisticated. Don’t be afraid to splurge on yourself by hitting the local shops and getting some things that make you look and feel amazing.
