AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

I began my emptiness by moving into a smaller home downsizing with my new fiancé over the last eight years I missed my kids and grandkids terribly even though they lived about an hour away so last year we took the plunge I bought a house with my two daughters and two grandkids and my son lives a few blocks away now I have my emptiest nest on the first floor my daughters live on the second floor and my grandkids live on the third floor I have said yes to so much more so many more bike rides and walks and school and community events, soccer games the beach I stamped my passport at least four times and four different countries now this is really what I call living in the empty nest dream!!!!

My life is substantially different from that of the other folks who are responding to the "Empty Nest" subject.  I've always lacked maternal instincts (at least for human babies); so my cohabitants have always been cats...and, occasionally, men. 

At this point, co-living with men has been "off the table" for half of my lifetime.  As for furry-purries:  I can easily afford food and litter...and, of course, my undivided attention and love...but I can no longer afford their medical bills.  (And even when I could take them to the vet, it was heart-wrenching to lose them as they aged...)  

So...I have pivoted my love for cats to the occasional house+pet-sitting gig.  I've expanded my love of animals to include dogs; and I "get my 'kitty fix'" a few times per year.  I think it's a reasonable compromise, and it's a win-win for everyone.  

Unchartered territory for us --worrisome but exciting at the same time. We will always be available for our children but are looking forward to developing new hobbies and just spending time together.. It's been a while since my husband and I can truly focus on each other  and embrace how we've grown over the years. Our new mantra every day is times change, people change and people change things. Enjoy the journey.

Spending more time together by going on dates and focusing on us as a couple.

We had really lived separate lives because of our different careers. My husband was an economic development planner and I was a university teacher. Now that we are empty nesters, we have created a company and do consulting together. It has been amazing because we spend so much time together and have a common goal: Doing the most that we can for our clients. It has helped us relate to each other much better because we can celebrate the "wins" together.

 Hard to go through, 'cause it's a game changer, for sure. But once we settled into our new life, we did a lot of stuff that needed done; projects we put off for years. After we got tired of that, we checked off some things on the "bucket list"   A Panama Cruise (A-mazing), driving through the Appalachian Mountains to take in the fall foliage, and more travel to learn about all the beautiful scenery, cultures and people that make up our Country's regions. We visit our family and friends more often and have made new friends too. And we always look forward to holidays, when our family comes together again.  

I absolutely love the freedom! I love not having to get up in the mornings and get ready for work. I love not having the stress of working. Some people miss work, but not me. I have time to swim, go to exercise class, volunteer, and walk my Belgium Malinois. When my husband and I travel, I don’t have to get time off approved from HR. Please pick me. 

Revel in Downtime:

For the first time since 1982 when I was pregnant with my first child, I have an empty nest.  I haven't spent money or time on myself for over 40 years.  It is such a strange experience for me.  I purchased a new pair of shoes, but it took me a couple of months to throw out my old old tennis shoes.  I've purchased new underwear and a few new tops.  And it is starting to feel good.  I can watch a program on TV or read a book without being disturbed.  I almost don't know what to do and have to get up to walk around a little bit because it is such a new experience.  But I love it.  I didn't think I would, but I am loving my free and peaceful time!  I know this isn't very exciting, but for me it is a whole new world!

Once I was on my own, I began a quest to hike in every state park and historic site in Missouri. There were 95 places on the list! It took me 16 months to complete.

I got lost more times than I can count. GPS guided me down gravel roads, had me ford shallow creeks, and led me to a state park boundary that had no entrance.

One morning my key fob stopped working. Who thinks to carry extra batteries for their key fob while they are on a road trip? Kudos to those of you who do. After someone gave me a lift to an auto supply store, I replaced the batteries and was on the road again.

I encountered vultures roosting in sycamores and bald eagles soaring over the Mississippi River. I had a ripe persimmon fall on my head. I slipped in the mud and fell flat on my face doing the Jingle Bell hike. I got back up with the help of my hiking stick and wiped myself off with a few napkins I had in my backpack. So what if I looked like something that rose out of the swamp. I wasn't leaving until I rang every bell on that park's list!

On the Ozark Trail at the fringes of yet another state park, I climbed up to a cave. I used my phone for a flashlight, but the cave became too narrow to go any further. On the way back down, I slipped on loose rock and almost fell off a cliff. What saved me was my hiking stick, which gave me enough friction to stop my slide and regain my balance. 

Many places were remote. It didn't surprise me when I found a fresh bear track, but it made me uneasy. Not long after seeing the bear track, I heard rustling in the underbrush nearby. I wanted to turn around and run. Instead, I froze. My fear turned into laughter. It was an armadillo.

Even though there were a few close calls, my journey was filled with wonder. I am looking forward to my next challenge wherever it takes me.

The quiet was deafening,  once I became adjusted to the new pace of "suit yourself ".  I looked around and decided that I wanted to do something useful for a total stranger.  I became a puppy raiser for a guide dog service.  Having a 8 week puppy has filled my days with activity,, joy and yes frustrations.  Returning the dog for additional training is a low point, but if the dog makes it through and gets matched up to a client.  Realizing the change this puppy makes not only in the client's life but their family members as well.  It couldn't happen without puppy raisers giving the puppies a strong foundation of guide work.