I've been talking about this for years, as I've navigated it, not because I'm that smart or cool LOL but simply because no one else was talking about it. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, I'd get messages from women saying "I saw you talking about the transition to grown up kids | to empty nesting -- and I thought I was the only one feeling this way"
that continued to BLOW MY MIND -- that out of 8 billion people on the planet, women thought they were the ONLY ONE struggling with this new season of life
2 important lessons I've learned ::
1. "empty nesting" - and btw, it's okay to use that term because people understand what it means -- doesn't REALLY start until your kids are making their own money AND their own decisions. College is practice empty nesting. It's like a dress rehearsal. It's not the real thing.
2. Lots of things can be true at the same time.
We can {and likely ARE} proud and sad and lost and excited and frustrated and hopeful and maybe even a little jealous and also nervous and EVERY emotion under the sun and we feel it all at the same time. Especially women. And it's okay. But since NOBODY talks about it, we think it's weird and we are weird.
I've read all the books - and there aren't many out there - about empty nesting and having grown up kids, worked through a lot of stuff through therapy and personal growth, and the transition is a process. Give yourself grace if you're navigating this season - we're all experiencing every day on the earth for the first time, and there's no good roadmap for any of this.
Sending love and positive vibes to my fellow empty nesters
Really love Hannah's concept of Birdy Launcher. As a mother of four, with my youngest a sophomore in high school, I can relate to the identity crisis that comes with being a stay-at-home mom whose full-time job is running a busy household when her children leave the house. I enjoyed reading how Hannah views the process - in particular, sitting in your grief a bit and not quickly passing over it. I feel it was important for my younger children to see how bittersweet it was for me when my oldest left the house. I was mourning her absence while simultaneously cheering on her next adventure. They were able to see through my actions. It's okay to be sad when they leave for college, but also excited. I am happy to share that I discovered a new career passion for myself as my children left. I launched the podcast @getcareercurious, and this has provided a meaningful outlet for me to focus my attention on during this second stage of life. Congratulations, Hannah, on launching Birdy Launcher! I think it's a much-needed service for many parents.
I've been talking about this for years, as I've navigated it, not because I'm that smart or cool LOL but simply because no one else was talking about it. OVER AND OVER AGAIN, I'd get messages from women saying "I saw you talking about the transition to grown up kids | to empty nesting -- and I thought I was the only one feeling this way"
that continued to BLOW MY MIND -- that out of 8 billion people on the planet, women thought they were the ONLY ONE struggling with this new season of life
2 important lessons I've learned ::
1. "empty nesting" - and btw, it's okay to use that term because people understand what it means -- doesn't REALLY start until your kids are making their own money AND their own decisions. College is practice empty nesting. It's like a dress rehearsal. It's not the real thing.
2. Lots of things can be true at the same time.
We can {and likely ARE} proud and sad and lost and excited and frustrated and hopeful and maybe even a little jealous and also nervous and EVERY emotion under the sun and we feel it all at the same time. Especially women. And it's okay. But since NOBODY talks about it, we think it's weird and we are weird.
I've read all the books - and there aren't many out there - about empty nesting and having grown up kids, worked through a lot of stuff through therapy and personal growth, and the transition is a process. Give yourself grace if you're navigating this season - we're all experiencing every day on the earth for the first time, and there's no good roadmap for any of this.
Sending love and positive vibes to my fellow empty nesters
I love this!! Thank you, Shannon!
Really love Hannah's concept of Birdy Launcher. As a mother of four, with my youngest a sophomore in high school, I can relate to the identity crisis that comes with being a stay-at-home mom whose full-time job is running a busy household when her children leave the house. I enjoyed reading how Hannah views the process - in particular, sitting in your grief a bit and not quickly passing over it. I feel it was important for my younger children to see how bittersweet it was for me when my oldest left the house. I was mourning her absence while simultaneously cheering on her next adventure. They were able to see through my actions. It's okay to be sad when they leave for college, but also excited. I am happy to share that I discovered a new career passion for myself as my children left. I launched the podcast @getcareercurious, and this has provided a meaningful outlet for me to focus my attention on during this second stage of life. Congratulations, Hannah, on launching Birdy Launcher! I think it's a much-needed service for many parents.