Last week, my younger daughter left on an extended work trip, leaving us with no kids at home for the first time in almost 24 years. This prompted me to do some reading and thinking about empty nest syndrome. As I usually do in these situations, I made a list of practical ways to cope with what can be a challenging time for many parents.
As a parent, seeing our kids grow up and venture out into the world is one of those situations that makes us feel happy and sad all at the same time. On the one hand, we can feel satisfied that we’ve done our job and raised our children to be independent adults. At the same time, we feel sad because the house feels just a little too quiet without them there.
When you’ve spent a big chunk of your life caring for these little beings, waving them off as they venture out into the world is bound to spark some emotions. It’s interesting to hear the varied reactions parents have when their kids leave home. Some parents can’t wait for their kids to be gone so they can get on with their lives. For many, though, this is a time of sadness and even grief as the role of parent is a major part of their identity.
Very Well Mind reports that empty nest syndrome isn’t a formal mental health diagnosis. Even so, it is often associated with feeling very emotional, sensing a lack of purpose, having difficulty focusing, and possible relationship issues. In extreme cases, it can lead to anxiety or depression, or worsen existing mental health conditions.
Coping With Empty Nest Syndrome
Like any significant life change, it’s important to acknowledge what’s happening and develop coping strategies. I always find keeping busy is the best way to stop myself from overthinking or worrying about things I can’t control. With that in mind, here are five practical ways to cope with empty nest syndrome.
Start a New Project
If there’s a project you’ve been putting off, or one that you’re just not making as much progress on as you’d like, now is the time to forge ahead with it. This week an exciting opportunity came up for me and, thanks to the extra time I have on my hands, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
Revitalize Your Social Connections
If you’re in a relationship, you now have the chance to reconnect with your partner and spend more time together. This is also a good time to expand your social circle or rekindle relationships with old friends.
Learn Something New
Plunging yourself into learning something new is one of the best ways to take your mind off how much you’re missing your kids. Sign up for a course at your local college or university—or browse the free offerings on platforms like Coursera or EdX.
Pick Up a New Hobby
As parents, we spend a lot of time shuttling our kids around to hockey practice, music lessons, and other activities. An empty nest is your chance to start a new hobby of your own. You might just discover a new passion or money-making side hustle.
Boost Your Fitness Routine
Physical activity is one of the best ways to boost your mood, and research shows exercise can lessen symptoms of anxiety or depression. If your fitness routine needs a little kickstart, sign up for a new class, find some new YouTube workouts, or just get outside for a long walk every day.
As I wrote this post, every time I started to type “nest”, my fingers automatically typed “next” instead. As much as I miss my card-playing and soap-opera-watching sidekick, I’ll take that as a sign that this isn’t a time to be sad. It’s a time to be excited about what comes next!
I’d love to hear from other empty nesters about their experience. How did you feel when your chickadees flew the coop? Drop me a comment below with your ideas.
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