AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

Finding new hobbies, ways to help my community and classes to take to keep my mind active!

I’ve gotten back into an old hobby —reading a book a week.  I eat whatever I want without hiding in the pantry. I had a piece of chocolate cake for breakfast and there was no one there to judge me.   I clean the house and it stays clean.  I vacuumed three days ago and there are still lines in the carpet.  I took up pickleball a year ago and play 3 times a week and I love it. I’m fortunate to have a pickleball court in my community.  I’m planning my first trip to Europe.  

     As I sat in my living room on one of the first quiet nights my house has known, I felt as empty inside as my house had become. Since both of my kids moved into their own homes just a year apart, the lively weekend of the past, full of sporting events, birthday parties, sleepovers, school dances, and gatherings, abruptly came to a halt. Gone were the sounds of giggling girls and boys playing video games. The only sound I heard was the ticking of the clock over the mantle, reminding me that the crazy, difficult, tiring, wonderful years have gone by much too quickly.

     My house was the frequent meeting point of my kids and their friends for late night snacks and just hanging out. I loved having them all safe under my roof, but I was tired and longed for a quiet, orderly home. That quiet can become deafening when it finally does come. I was heartbroken for an entire year, even though I was proud of my successful, independent offspring.

     I have settled into a new normal and now actually enjoy the peace, tidiness, and newfound time to myself. But in that challenging first year of an empty nest, the only comfort I had, besides helping my children in their new homes, was taking advantage of the extra closet space they left behind. I now host family dinners whenever possible to get everyone together and give them a break from cooking chores. At the end of the day, it doesn't bother me so much to say goodbye when they leave. As long as I know they are happy, I will be just fine.

My nest has become very empty. Reasons I won’t share. I reconnected with my 4 sisters. I am spending quality time with my 4 sibs. Looking forward to both Thanksgiving and Christmas to rejoin and reunite with the family I had to put aside for too many years.

Never felt the empty nest thing, my daughter was gone so much in High School doing stuff that it felt the same to me, but my wife felt it.

Hi @AARPTeri !!  While practicing the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning as an empty nester with the goal of turning my married daughters' bedrooms into a guest room and office, I came across a lonely yoga mat in one daughter's closet.  Instead of throwing it out, for a few weeks now I have been taking some downtime to do downward dog and other yoga poses in a community class sponsored by the school district.  I am still in the clumsy phase, but am having lots of FUN and meeting people of all ages in my town that I may have not been able to cross paths with otherwise.  And yes my health, attitude and flexibility is improving, slowly but surely!!! Now let's see if I can fit into some of those trendy yoga clothes!!!

Started a MEETUP group for Baby Boomers social happy hour. It has become our "Cheers" group!

I am trying to find my new nest and making it more of a reflection of who I am now. 

Looking forward to traveling and exploring more than ever before, maybe even finding a new nest somewhere else. 

Getting some much needed decluttering and purging of papers and just stuff done. Working on the house inside and out. Getting some good sleep since it's so quiet .