a revitalized empty nester

Empty nest syndrome is a feeling of grief and loneliness parents may feel when their children leave home for the first time, such as to live on their own or to attend a college or university. It is not a clinical condition.  (Wikipedia definition of Empty Nest Syndrome)

Hello.  I am the mother of two of the smartest people I know on this earth.  We were a family of four who did just about everything together until things like sports and girlfriends and boyfriends got involved.  When my first child left to go to college, we then became three.  Strange times.  We adjusted.  My second child wanted a dog.  Why not?  Then the second child left to go to college.  Then we got another dog.  Well I guess I should be thankful we only had two children if this was going to be a pattern.

A wise friend once told me (you know who you are when you read this), that I am going to need something else for myself when my children leave home.  I devoted most of my time to them (yes, I have a husband who I love and adore; a home that needs a little bit more love, but we’re getting there; a full-time job/career that I like; and a need for a few hours to sleep), but I didn’t realize how right this person was until it happened.  Of course, I kept busy.  I missed my children and what was worse was I had no control over the who, what, where, why, when and so on for each child.  I visited each child in their new “home away from home”.  My second child was involved in a college sport, so that kept us busy for another four years.

The definition of the Empty Nest Syndrome is rather negative.  I have chosen to look at this time as a positive time and renewal of life.  I had many hobbies and was involved in many things before children that I am returning to because I have the time and patience.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love being a mother and still do.  It is interesting how motherhood evolves into a different stage with your adult children.  I really am enjoying my adult children and love watching them grow into their own.  It is also okay for an adult to grow at this stage in their life.

I have learned that the life/work balance is so very important when you actually have time to breathe and understand what that means.  I left a very good job after 18 years and started over at an age that is considered middle-aged and able to receive discounts as a senior citizen.  It was one of the scariest and exciting decisions I ever made.

Another decision was to start my own business. I am finding that promoting something that I am very excited about is invigorating. I am meeting new people and stepping out of a comfort zone that has existed for over 25 years. Anyone who knows me knows that when I am truly committed to something, I am very passionate about it. Some may call it emotional, but passionate sounds so much more positive. “Revitalizing my life and the skin I live in” is a new journey that brings strength, confidence and motivation. I am eager to see where this opportunity will take me.