Day 9: Self-Discovery & New Beginnings

Bobbi Chegwyn: 0:34

Welcome to day nine of 21 Days Together. The empty nest phase marks a significant transition in a parent's life, as children leave home to pursue their own dreams and aspirations. While this phase can evoke a mix of emotions, as we all know, from pride and excitement to sadness and uncertainty, it also presents an opportunity for parents to rediscover themselves and embark on a new chapter of personal growth and fulfilment. Navigating this transition with grace and positivity Requires emotional resilience, as we discussed yesterday, but also it requires some practical strategies to adjust to the empty nest. So today we're going to explore some of those practical tips To help you navigate this transformation With confidence and optimism. Firstly, we've got one of my favourites, which really helped me, and that is de-clutter your home. Now. With the kids moving out, there may be a surplus of belongings they've left behind. This is the time to embrace the opportunity to de-clutter and organise your home, sort through items together and decide what to keep, donate or store. Creating a more streamlined and organised living space Can help you feel a sense of renewal and preparedness for the next phase of life. The next practical tip we've got is to create a new nightly routine. My husband and I did this and it was actually really good. As routines change with the empty nest, Consider establishing a new routine for you and your partner. It could involve taking evening walks together, reading a book or having meaningful conversations over a cup of tea. This ritual can strengthen your bond and provide a sense of comfort during the transition. Now my husband and I, our routine became we would have dinner and then we would watch Wheel of Fortune. We started to get quite competitive, so we would look forward to challenging each other every night. It turned out to be a lot of fun. Okay. Next we've got redecorating or rearranging rooms in the home. Transform the now vacant bedrooms into spaces that reflect your current interests and needs. You could perhaps create a home office, a cozy reading nook or a hobby room. Rewranging or redecorating shared spaces can also inject a fresh energy into your home. Next, we've got Pursuing New Hobbies Together. This is all about exploring new hobbies or activities that both you and your partner enjoy. It could be anything from cooking classes, dancing, photography or hiking. My husband and I have recently decided to take up golf. I started first playing with a girlfriend in a Thursday night women's league and I must just say here I absolutely suck. But thank goodness I'm combining this women's league with just being social. It's not competitive. We all have a lot of fun together and you can take your beverage of choice onto the golf course. So now I'm taking my newfound love of golf and my husband is going to join me, and that's something else we can do together. Engaging in shared hobbies fosters a sense of togetherness and introduces excitement into your lives. Now the next is planning regular date nights For my husband and I. We normally do something together on a Friday night. You know it's the end of the week. He's had a busy week, I've had a busy week, and it doesn't matter what we do. We could go to the most cheap and cheerful place, it doesn't matter, it's just about getting out of the house and reconnecting with one another. So set aside time for regular date nights and explore maybe restaurants, attend concerts or try out different cultural events together. Date nights can add fun and a bit of romance back into your relationship and strengthen your bond as a couple. Next, we've got planning adventures and travel. If you can and you know these can just mean a day trip. It doesn't have to mean spending a lot of money and going to far flung places. So take advantage of the flexibility that an empty nest may offer and plan adventures or travel with your partner, whether it's a one day trip, a weekend getaway to a nearby destination or a dream vacation. Exploring new places together can create lasting memories, and we've also got at number seven here redefine your nightly meals. Now, with the children leaving the nest, meal planning and prep no longer need to revolve around catering to their tastes and their preferences. So you could possibly embrace this opportunity to redefine your nightly meals to suit your own or you and your partner's palate. Experiment with new recipes, explore diverse cuisines or revisit dishes you've always wanted to try but couldn't due to time constraints. Sharing meals that align with your personal preferences can be an enjoyable experience. You can invite creativity into your kitchen and savor the process of trying out different ingredients and cooking techniques. Preparing and sharing meals that resonate with you can become a cherished ritual, adding a sense of fulfillment and joy to your evenings. Now, this time in your life presents an opportunity for personal growth and renewal. By implementing some practical strategies, you can embrace this phase with enthusiasm and optimism. Embracing change, fostering strong relationships and nurturing shared interests can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding life during the empty nest phase and beyond. This time of our lives is not an end, but a new beginning. That's a chance to rediscover yourself, deepen connections and embrace the next chapter of life with excitement and joy. Remember together we've got this Until tomorrow.