5 Things to Do Now That You’re an Empty-Nester.
So, your children have left home to start their independent life.
It can make you feel anxious and a little bit lost, but it’s worth seeing this big change as an opportunity and a chance for a new beginning.
Pick an old hobby back up or explore something new that you’ve always meant to try. Having more time for yourself and an empty nest isn’t a bad thing; it simply means that it’s time for you to spread your wings too.
It can be difficult for parents to adjust to a new family dynamic after all their kids have moved out, but we have some ideas that we hope will help you.
Reconnect with old friends
Now that you don’t have a full household to manage, it’s worth reaching out to some friends you might have lost touch with. When life gets in the way, it’s difficult to keep in regular contact with some good old friends. You may even find that some of them are in a similar situation and would also love to reconnect with you.
Consider fostering
Have you ever thought of fostering? Many people live their life thinking about fostering a child, but they either don’t have enough space or time. You may be one of them.
Now that your children have moved out and your house may feel empty, it could be a chance for you to reconsider fostering.
Fostering has countless benefits, from filling up the emptiness and giving you a new sense of purpose after your children have left home, to helping build better futures for local children and really making a difference.
Did you know that fostering with your Local Authority helps children even more by letting them stay in their community?
Having experience with raising children yourself, you could now help improve the lives of children looked after and feel the sense of reward for contributing to the local community. At Foster Wales Monmouthshire, our purpose is to work as a team to build better futures for local children, not for profit.
If you’re interested in what we do and how you can join us, visit our website today!
Take some classes
It is never too late to learn something new. Maybe you always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, or learn a new language? Now you have a chance to go back to school or take a short course or two in something you’ve always wanted to study. It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. The internet has opened up many possibilities, from free mini-courses to formal lessons that you can do flexibly in your spare time.
You could also take lessons in the arts, or go for something more physical like swimming, dancing or archery.
Join a club or organisation
Now that you have more time to engage in activities other than running a busy household, you can find a club or organisation that caters to one of your passions or interests.
If your passion is gardening, but you could never find time, now you can join a gardening club. A local running, walking or golf club can provide you with the opportunity to stay active and meet new like-minded people from your area.
People interested in politics can join local political organisations to try to improve their local community and find a sense of purpose in it.
Volunteer
Studies show that people who volunteer feel happier, self-confident and purposeful. Volunteering can be, and often is, more fulfilling than paid employment. As an empty-nester, you now possibly have more time to engage in volunteering for children, animals or local organisations and offer valuable knowledge and help. It’s also yet another great way to meet and connect with other people.
After your children have moved out, you have time to reconnect to who you are as a person. We hope that this article will help you with this transition.
