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-... 

[JackJ754717]

It’s been a huge adjustment as my 3 kids were my life & soul for years as their father didn’t participate in their school & lives. But they’re all on their own & thriving- it’s great to watch them thrive as I have done the same with my life! ❤️ 

Work, hubby, friends, church, volunteering & traveling - plus actually having my own time - my life is still full. 

[jneil13]

We moved to a 55+ community & have had made several new friends & have joined various card, activity & the exercise classes.

[SereneSeagull]

I enjoy lots of classes at my gym.  Great people and everyone trying to stay fit while they socialize!  Enjoy!  

[gg99149087]

With extra time on my hands, I volunteer more in the community. I volunteer with a local theatre venue, a local university theatre, local university athletics and one-off events like an Asian festival, kids' books distribution, arts festival, Pride parade and more. My wife enjoys the extra time to read and binge shows on Netflix. Without child-related schedule obligations, we're also much more free to do random date nights during the week or any time we want. Who says you can't go to a nice restaurant or bar in the middle of the week? 

[SereneSeagull]

Sounds great.  Love Community theatre.  Enjoy!  

[DorisS889848]

 When we finally became members of the "empty nest" it was much more difficult for me than my husband.  His work hours kept him away for many events that the kids participated in, although he came to everything he could.  It was very difficult for me to not have somewhere to go, some meeting to attend ... However, eventually, I began to realize I had time for myself ... time to join a yoga class, go for that hike, bike or kayak trip with my friends because I didn't have some extra curricular activity to attend for the kids.  

Kids finished college and settled in two different states and when we finally decided to downsize, we headed south to be closer to one of them.  We still enjoy doing things we love that we never had time for when the kids were at home, but we also have started attending activites the grandkids are in.  It's a better balance now because we don't have work interfering.  

Life is so good!  We are blessed.

[KruegerNancy1]

My husband and I are not quite empty nesters yet. We are enjoying having our two adult sons with us for now. Once they do leave the nest we have plans to change a few things, but for us the biggest change will be when my husband retires next year. The freedom we will have with both of us retired will be wonderful and I'm looking forward our time together.

[janafam]

The house became too quiet so I began volunteering. I am busier then ever and enjoying it. My spouse has filled her empty schedule spaces with friends and activity. We also are enjoying our winters in the warm climate of Florida where we have made many new friends. We seem to be doing more, meeting more people, and going more places. An empty nest can give you an opportunity to enjoy your world.

[TammaraW779541]

I love it, LOVE the empty nest. I am living my dream life. The kids are through college and working. I am downsizing to smaller home in a warmer state. I can hardly wait to spoil grandkids. I have traveled to many places since the kids moved out. 

[DavidC622269]

Time! All of a sudden I find there is more time to do...whatever. Less chauffeuring, laundry, making beds etc. 

[RandyS871161]

One of my biggest dreams in becoming an empty nester (I am almost there), is just getting to be with and reconnect with my wife (she's the most amazing person I have known). We have shared so many dreams together over the years, it will be nice to act upon them. ANY of them. Travel to Europe again. Going rock and fossil exploring. Record music together. 

[ChristineW823235]

 Being able to enjoy weekend on my own timetable, without worrying about thinking of activities that everyone will enjoy.  With only one daughter that wasn't hard, but only worrying about doing something myself and my husband will enjoy is easier!

[SereneSeagull]

Sounds good. enjoy it!

[acm05]

Not the usual empty nester, no kids, but I did have my father living with me for 5 years.  He died last year and not having the responsibility of his care makes me feel like a weight has literally been lifted off of me.  I've been able to take a few trips without having to organize care.

[SereneSeagull]

It’s you time!  Enjoy it!  

[janibird]

It's really nice not to have my life dictated by when the school year ends or begins! Summer ,Winter, Spring or Fall our life is our own!

[rg335]

Weekly I get together with friends and colleagues to socialize and explore new activities.

[LeighS833303]

   My husband and I are not empty nesters yet, and I'm not sure we will be able to become so, because we have one child with health and emotional challenges. That said, I like to share my daydreams with him about our possible retirement someday, and he shares his; it makes me appreciate him more too I think!

    And it definitely strengthens our relationship to share hopes for our futures and see that we are still,  after all these years together, on the same wavelength. 

[LynnM617441]

Hello Leigh,

I don't know whether your situation is similar to mine, but just in case it is, I would like to pass along to you some wisdom that my Mom shared with me almost two decades ago. 

When we were discussing the future, I said that I planned to have my son, who has major special needs, live with me for as long as I could physically take care of him. In under ten seconds, she changed my mind completely. She said something to the effect of, "Lynn, which would be easier on him? To transition into a group home while you are healthy enough to be able to help him, or to have to deal with losing his home and his mother all at once?" It was partly based on that advice that he is now living in a group home.

I realize your situation might be completely different from my own, but I thought it worth passing her thoughts along.

[GeneB283682]

Since retiring then moving to Portland Oregon in 2020, I have found a community through volunteering with various programs of Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) - Aging Well, Ambassador Council, Community Advisory Board, Esther’s Food Pantry, and Camp KC, along with other temporary needs and events for this amazing nonprofit organization serving the HIV & LGBTQ+ communities in the Portland area for 40+ years. 

As a client and volunteer I have felt welcomed, needed, and celebrated for who I am. 

Gene Bishop

[SereneSeagull]

Sounds great!

[MeganR13308]

We went on our very first cruise!

[Nickb1935]

No kids means time for wine tours

[SereneSeagull]

Or having no whine now!

[aprilmiller]

More time to travel & see the world

[jmika]

an empty nest has allowed us to travel and make those trips longer to places that have been on our bucket list for some time. But, to be honest, we do sometimes miss 

them and are happy to see them, as long as it’s a SHORT visit!

[ssefscik]

 I am smart, I never had any children and never regretted for one second.  I may feel discriminated against for being smart by entering this contest!

[SereneSeagull]

Greatest response! 

[UshaniL955302]

We have been traveling the world as if there is no care in the world from Antarctica to the Arctic and beyond......

[SereneSeagull]

Exciting, adventurous places.  Nice!