Embracing the Empty Nest: Finding Myself in This New Chapter

I still miss my kids. That part never changes. No matter how old they get, how far they travel, or how independent they become, they will always be my babies. But now, I watch them from a different place—one of admiration and pride—as they navigate adulthood with intelligence, kindness, and thoughtfulness.

The year my youngest was a senior in high school, I took a leap of faith. After years of devoting my time, energy, and love to raising my children, I decided it was time to invest in me. I stepped out on my own and started my own business. At first, it was daunting—exciting, but full of unknowns. Yet, looking back now, I see it was one of the best decisions of my life. My business has since doubled in size, and with it, so has my confidence, my sense of fulfillment, and my joy.

For years, I put my children first, as most mothers do. I poured everything into their needs, their dreams, and their futures. And now? Now, I get to make choices based on what matters to me. My health, my happiness, my time. I get to spend my days with my husband, rediscovering our relationship in a new way. We have the financial freedom to travel, explore, and experience life in ways we only dreamed of before.

But perhaps the most rewarding part of this new chapter is giving back. I have the time and flexibility to volunteer, to mentor, and to help others find their passions—just as I have found mine. I no longer feel like I am in a constant state of "doing" for everyone else. Instead, I am living—fully, intentionally, and with purpose.

So, to the moms who are approaching the empty nest and wondering what comes next, let me reassure you: it is not an end, but a beginning. It is your time to grow, to dream, to build, and to become. It’s your time to be you.