Have you recently found yourself with an “empty nest?” Many parents and guardians are met with this new reality as children launch into young adulthood by moving away to college, entering the workforce, or pursuing other opportunities away from home.
It can be an emotional time filled with complicated feelings – of various degrees – including sadness, loneliness, and even perceived loss of purpose now that children have moved out of the family home. These feelings are completely valid. At the same time, there are so many positive aspects of this new chapter in your life that are worth embracing.
The following are five areas in which you can consider placing energy as you get more accustomed to your new normal.
Focusing on you
Kids can easily become the center of our world, and over time, it can feel like we lose a bit of ourselves in the demands of parenting younger children and teenagers. For the first time in many years, you have more time for you. Think about what brings you joy in addition to parenting and then seek it! Consider revisiting former hobbies and passions that you haven’t had time for lately or explore a new interest. Investigate community education classes or workshops as an opportunity to try something new. It’s also a great time to focus on personal growth – perhaps you have a new skill you’d like to conquer or a professional certification you’d like to achieve. Or perhaps you want to renew your commitment to your health and wellness – from trying new healthy recipes to joining a fitness center. This season can be about discovering what fills your bucket – whether it’s a new or old interest.
Investing in relationships
After the busynessof raising kids, this season brings new capacity for time with family, friends, colleagues and other loved ones. From pursuing more exclusive time with your partner or significant other to investing deeper in friends and extended family, this can be great time to lean into your circle of people in a different way. Perhaps you can linger longer at a work happy hour if you’re not racing to a soccer game, or you can plan a get-together with extended family that doesn’t focus on kid-friendly food or activities. Wherever your new capacity leads you – enjoy it!
Seeking out travel and adventure
This is a great time to renew your sense of adventure – close to home and beyond. Consider scheduling a big trip to commemorate this transition. Having a big event on the calendar can be a great way to look forward to something with anticipation and excitement even while you may feel sentimental about the past. Brainstorm other dream destinations, and maybe even book on spontaneously – when was the last time you did that? But you don’t have to go far to find adventure. Closer to home, evening or weekend events like cultural and recreational activities, festivals, or concerts can bring a boost of excitement.
Contributing to the community
It can be incredibly rewarding to get involved in a cause that you care about. Many people use this time to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity or re-evaluate their philanthropic giving strategy. Another opportunity to give back is mentoring – a student, a junior colleague, or someone you are paired with through a mentoring organization.
Revisiting finances
This transition often creates space to think through what is important to you and this season could be an opportunity to refocus on your future goals and even build or adjust your financial life plan in partnership with your financial advisor. There are new financial considerations in this time of life, too, as you navigate how much financial assistance you’re comfortable giving your child as they learn to be financially independent.
Empty nesting was the focus of an episode of “Navigating Life Transitions,” a podcast by JNBA Financial Advisors about the many changes and challenges in life. Host Kim Insley and JNBA team members Elise Huston, Stephanie Rossi, and Cärin Viertel share some of their personal experiences adjusting to an empty nest from celebrative cheers to mournful tears, with considerations for what you might experience and how to prepare for it.
If you have questions about revisiting or creating your personalized financial life plan as you transition into an empty nest, reach out to your JNBA Advisory Team.
Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, some of the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from JNBA Financial Advisors.
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