AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

My husband and I decided this is our time to enjoy. We have decided that our retirement goal is to visit as many national park as we can. We enjoy hiking, and biking. We volunteer at our local library. We also are enjoying once again our individual hobbies,  which had fallen to the side while raising our children. He enjoys woodworking. I paint,  watcolor and  aacrylic. We are living our best life while we are still  healthy and we can.  

Our kids’ school and sports activities had made up a large portion of our social lives so when they left for college, we had to learn to reconnect with friends and neighbors who were also finding themselves empty nesters. Staying social was a challenge for us at first since we had socialized so much with our children’s friends’ parents. We love to cook and entertain, so it was natural for us to host small dinner parties, cocktail hours, and BBQs. It was so important to us to remain social. 

In one year I became a widow and an empty nester. After spending some time adjusting to my new situation by cleaning, re-arranging, and updating my home to make it more suitable for the lifestyle I imagined and wanted for myself, I began sewing again - something I had not done for years due to lack of time and space. I have found it deeply satisfying to make items to give to loved ones and friends as gifts - quilts, table runners, tote bags, wall hangings, etc. - and to donate to charitable organizations. It has also led to another passion of mine - collecting and restoring vintage sewing machines which is not only gratifying, but connects me with others who share my interests. I am sharing all of this many years after the fact and I can say that it all came about primarily because I decided early on to focus on independence and enhancing the lives of those I love.

As our nest got emptier, our nest seemed to get bigger! Too much house to clean and keep up so it was time to sell. Let's rent and take some time to figure out where we want to go, we have two kids in SoCal and one in Chicago, no one really nearby, so why not? Heh, what if we buy an RV and travel? Well, number 1, we have never had an RV and really never camped, but it does kinda sound fun! We were smart enough to rent one for a few days and decided we could do this, but we needed bigger and some creature comforts. We found the perfect Class A motorhome, sold the house, put the absolutely cannot part with items in a storage unit and handed the keys over to the new owners as we drove off in our motorhome! That was 4 years ago and we are still going strong. We have spent the night in our coach in all of the continental 48 states, we have been wintering in the Palm Springs area and traveling from coast to coast seeing things we never thought we would see. The landscape and geography diversity, the small towns, the wineries, the breweries, the presidential libraries, the interesting museums, the list is endless! Did I also mention it took a moment to sink into this lifestyle, but only a moment. There is nothing like driving to a destination, pulling out your chair and looking out over the mountains or the lake or the ocean. We are loving it and don't have an end in sight!

I have found a variety of activities to keep my mind and body active and occupied. First I volunteer one day week for the American Red Cross doing telephone triage for community based disasters like home fires. Secondly I stay active volunteering at my fifty plus community center working on the advisory council to promote community, membership and programming. I also exercise, take art classes, day trips and participate in social activities at the center. Life is so full, fun and rewarding as an empty nester and disabled early retiree. 

I have been an empty-nester for quite a few years. At first it was lonely. But slowly I regrouped, retired, moved closer to my grown child, volunteered fostering shelter dogs, and started reading a lot more (my favorite hobby). Now that grandchildren have arrived, I keep busy with them; also, volunteering on an HOA and learning watercolor techniques. 

LOVE IT

I’ve been going on new adventures, exploring my city like a tourist and living in the moment day by day. It’s been nice to slow down and enjoy the little moments. 

Finally enjoying the quiet, ability to travel at-will, get projects done and not having to be decently clothed at all times!

🙂

Unfortunately,  I had to stop work earlier than I planned....was worried about finances in the beginning.   Now I found i was better off than thought and I was able to purchase a lake shack, and I swim every day.....even in Upstate New York!  Planning on going the polar bear plunge on januaey 1st!  Bucket list = check!  I feel better than I have in years. Having just turned 70, I get a lot of exercise between swimming and the stationary bike my girlfriend bought....two hours a day.  I feel so very lucky, and while no one knows when their last day on this earth will come, I am pushing forward as if I could live forever!  God bless you all, I hope you find many bucket list moments in your own senior years