For The Love Of Parenting

Rediscover Joy in Your Empty Nest - Episode 81

• Kimberly Myers, M.A.Ed., ICCE, IBCLC • Season 3 • Episode 81

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Becoming an empty nester can feel like a mix of pride, joy, and unexpected ache. In this episode of For the Love of Parenting, Kimberly Myers shares her personal journey of sending her daughter off to college, the quiet that followed, and the surprising ways she rediscovered herself in the process.

From reconnecting with her husband to creating new routines and revisiting old passions, Kimberly invites listeners to see the empty nest not as an ending, but as a new beginning.

Whether you’re preparing for this season or already in it, this episode will give you encouragement, practical tips, and a gentle reminder: your nest may be emptier, but your life can be fuller than ever.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why the empty nest can feel both joyful and challenging
  • How to rediscover parts of yourself you put on hold
  • Simple ways to reconnect with your partner in this season
  • Tips for staying socially connected and investing in your own growth
  • Why the empty nest isn’t the end, but the start of something new

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Remember, as parents, do your best—there are no perfect parents, but countless ways to be loving and supportive. Signing off from the For Love of Parenting podcast. Thanks for listening. Until next time.

Intro summary:

If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve talked about carving out a space of your own, learning to use it daily, and giving yourself permission to reset. In this episode, we take it one step further—into the world of empty nesting. I’ll share why this season isn’t an ending, but a new beginning—one filled with rediscovery, renewal, and possibility. Your nest may be empty, but your life? It’s about to be full. Want to learn more? So, come on!

Podcast
Welcome back for my love of parenting parents. Boy do I have some nuggets for you today!  If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been talking about creating space for ourselves—first building it, then living in it, and most recently, giving ourselves permission to reset when September rolled around.

Today, we’re taking that conversation one step further into a chapter so many of us face: the empty nest.

When my daughter left for college, I thought I was ready. We’d done the open house tours, the endless shopping trips, the big move-in day. I can still see her smile as she met her roommate and started arranging her room. Pride filled my heart.

But when we drove away, it hit me—that mix of joy and ache. The quiet was louder than I expected. And yet, on those weekends when my husband and I drove to pick her up, I found myself looking forward to the ride. Those drives turned into little road adventures, giving us time to laugh, talk, and enjoy each other’s company.

It wasn’t that our marriage was broken—it was already solid—but this season gave us fresh space to simply enjoy being “us” again. Sometimes it was the drives, other times it was slow Saturday mornings making breakfast together. Small moments, but meaningful ones.

And my son? He’s still here at home, but let’s be honest—he’s got his own life, with work and friends that keep him busy. And that’s its own kind of transition.

What the Empty Nest Can Teach Us

Just like carving out that cozy nook at home taught me I deserve space, the empty nest reminds us that we deserve purpose. When kids step out into the world, it’s not just their next chapter—it’s ours, too.

Here’s what I’ve learned—and what I’m still learning:

  1. Rediscovering Me – I finally have time to dust off those interests I shelved years ago. Writing, walking, teaching in new ways, even dreaming a little bigger about my work. It feels like rediscovering parts of myself I had pressed pause on.
  2. Reconnecting in Marriage – With less daily chaos, my husband and I found ourselves laughing more, having longer conversations, and remembering what it felt like to be us—not just mom and dad.
  3. Resets, Again and Again – September gave us the gift of renewal, but honestly, every season can. An empty nest isn’t an ending; it’s another beginning. A chance to breathe, reset, and evolve.

Of course, there are hard days too. Loneliness creeps in, or I catch myself worrying about whether my kids are okay without me hovering. But here’s what grounds me: creating intentional space—both in my home and in my schedule—that reminds me who I am becoming now.

So what do you do when the nest feels emptier? You start by rediscovering yourself. Just like when we created those cozy corners in our homes, this is about carving out new corners in our lives.

For me, it looks like enjoying the things I used to do, working out more, reading, connecting with friends, volunteering, and taking walks that are more about reflection than rushing.

It’s also about reconnecting in marriage—remembering what it feels like to be “us” and not just “mom and dad.” And it’s about giving myself permission to reset—not just in September, but in every season.

Sure, there are hard moments. The loneliness, the worry, the wondering if my kids are okay without me. But here’s the thing: the empty nest isn’t an ending. It’s another beginning. It’s the space where we get to breathe, evolve, and discover who we’re becoming next.

Closing:

So if you’re stepping into this season, remember: your nest may be emptier, but your life doesn’t have to be. This is your time to write new chapters, create new rhythms, and discover new possibilities.

So, come on—let’s step into this new season with open hands and open hearts. Because your nest may be empty, but your life? It’s about to be full.

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