AARP Rewards Online Community Empty Nest Contest 2025

[AARPTeri]

Now that the nest is empty, it’s your time to soar — and we want to celebrate your journey with AARP Rewards!

Join the AARP Rewards Connect Forum for a fun, feel-good contest focused on how you’re embracing this next chapter — and share your story.  Starting Monday, September 8, 2025 reply to this post sharing ways you are reconnecting, revelling in downtime or reinventing your weekend. 

We look forward to seeing your great posts!  Official Rules can be found here  -https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Empty-Nest-Contest-... 

[PaulJ8711]

I envy your passion and courage 

[SereneSeagull]

Loved reading this

[CeTraveler]

Thank you. I appreciate your comment!

[MaryB133555]

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.

[KristenB67797]

Thank you for raising . I got my first guide dog in college in 1993. They have all been a huge blessing in my life . Current dog is 8 so will retire in a few years and the process starts again . 

[seymas]

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

[EiM243648]

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.  

[SereneSeagull]

Carpet part made me smile.  

[JulieG30021]

     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.

[SereneSeagull]

That’s great!  Role of parent is to raise and let go.  Finding self is rewarding.  Glad you are doing well

[WilliamM41061]

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.

[KatheleenJ794376]

Hi Everyone. Now that the nest has been emptied of my 6 children, I can rest not knowing that I have to make sure the kids anddddddddddd some of the football players aren’t running around the house asking for 2nd and 3rd plates of extras on dinner or breakfast. I can walk around as comfortable as I choose with husbae. I don’t have to remind the kids to let me know which ones need help with their homework , or make all of those dentist or doctor appointments. Wash loads of clothes and do hair. My days are spent as a Substitute Teacher , attending church every Sunday, if not traveling. My friend and I get together at least 2 to 4 times a year to give back to the community. We give away clothes, cooked meals , such as barbecue chicken, ribs, baked beans, greens, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, water,and  soda, along with personal items, shoes, and jewelry. I’ll admit I do miss having my kids at homes sometimes. When that occurs , I just plan a trip to go visit. 3 kids live in my city, while the other two live in two other different cities in the state, while the baby of the bunch lives out of state . I most admit , over enjoy my peace t home. Life is good . 

[CeTraveler]

I'm glad you are reconnecting with other members of your family. 

[SereneSeagull]

Enjoy it!

[fishdoggy1]

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.

[AnneG461594]

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!!!

[CeTraveler]

I probably need to practice both the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and yoga. Wishing you continued success with your yoga classes.

[AEMPowell]

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

[k399286m]

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

[k399286m]

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

[DanneB372073]

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 . 

[AngelaR955767]

Wow, what a change! The biggest speed bump I’ve ever come across. Takes a while to shake off the Quiet but when you’re ready, it is amazing. The ability to plan on your own schedule and enjoy, with no limitations to time or place. Holiday planning is by far my favorite. It’s a moment to give the gift of familiarity to my children. They truly enjoy bringing people to see how they grew up. That is such an honor. Thank you AARP for giving me so many resources to combat the depression of empty nesting, along with so many ideas on how to get out, about and up & at em’ again.

[JustyneG198210]

Helping to tidy up and organize the donations and keepers is how I roll . . .. 

[HeatherB771301]

i have been gardening, enjoying time with friends and spending time with my fur babies.

[ParisS758014]

Newbie here! I (not so selfishly) find solid time for me on the weekends especially, when I'm not racing off to work during the week. From a quiet walk to reading a book to choosing a project I've been aiming to work on, this provides me with a sense of self and a chance to recharge and regroup.

[Samk]

I can now sleep a full 8 hours each nite.   And I can do my daily    walk without-   Where is this or that? Or I’m late, drive me here or there.    

[ks72184067]

I enjoy participating in AARP virtual classes and watching theater productions. It helps me to connect with others since I have a hard time socializing out in the community.

[MarjiM47]

My husband (80) and I (78) still ride and compete on our reining horses, so a large chunk of our time is spent training, grooming, cleaning stalls, shoveling sawdust, etc. We just retired (again) from being 4-H leaders, but we continue to volunteer with the program and serve as horse superintendents at the county fair. I just recently retired (yet again) as co-director and facilitator of our local leadership program. We work the polls at election time, and volunteer with Friends of the Library. When we aren't doing all that, we travel. I've been to 49 states! We try to take a cruise each spring when we really relax. I frequently work with new writers to help them focus their work.  Several of them have now published!

[SereneSeagull]

Sounds very fulfilling.  Lots of fun.

[jh95446369]

II've been retired for several years now and I'm just as busy as when I was working.  But my work could be very stressful, and I don't have much stress since I retired -- and I'm so grateful for that! Since I retired, I've been busy volunteering at a soup kitchen and an animal shelter.  I've enjoyed taking lifelong learning classes through OLLI and other organizations, both in-person and virtually.  I've signed up for various AARP classes, programs and Movies For Grownups - and there are many more I'd like to do but don't have time for.  AARP's offerings are fantastic!  And I also join some friends in tutoring 2nd-graders during the schoolyear.  I feel incredibly fortunate to be reveling in this chapter of life!