Okay, let’s be real. “Empty nest” isn’t exactly the hippest term. It conjures images of two old people sitting in the living room watching tv or reading the newspaper while the list of honey do’s are the only thing going on that day. But hey, guess what? There’s another way to look at it and that is why we are here to help redefine this term, “empty nest” and how it is not only for those retired, but for those younger couples that still have a lot of life left.

Our mission is to show you that the “empty nest” life is not as a void, but as a launchpad: a springboard to a long future brimming with possibilities and rediscovery. It’s your turn to soar.

The emptynesters I have been talking to lately still work their 9-5 job. They are in the similar boat I am in and they are not at the phase in life where they are retired and head down to the beach or the golf course for the day because they are already retired.

Here’s the thing, being just the two of you without anyone else can be tough, at least at first. It’s like rediscovering a muscle you haven’t used in years – it might feel a little wobbly at first, but life is just beginning again. 

Your relationship is about to get a serious upgrade. Imagine dinners where the food is good, really good, and it’s the foods you both love to eat, or imagine movie nights with just the two of you picking a video the two of you like, and it does not have to please a crowd of kids.  Reconnect with the person you fell in love with, the one who laughed at your stupid jokes and knew how to make you feel like a million bucks.

My wife and I were honestly worried about this and wondered how we would handle each other when the kids would be gone. And years later when the kids come to visit, we can’t wait until they are gone so it is just the two of us again. We got into our routines, the food, the time together without anyone else is just awesome. So instead of dreading the time when you both are alone, count down the days to be just the two of you. 

Of course, letting go of the kids can be tough. You might worry about them out there in the big world. But hey, remember all those times you taught them to ride a bike, cook ramen, and even how to talk to other human beings against their will? Well, they will survive.

Empty nest advice from our short years without kids at home.

5 words of wisdom to help improve your empty nest journey

#1 Keep Learning

I know it feels like we have no time after a long day of work, even when the kids are gone. We move from one thing to another. I refer to it as being busy vs being effective. But really we are spending hours looking at our phones and we label it as “down time”, but what we need to do is keep learning. Instead of doom scrolling on instagram or TikTok, jump over to Duolingo and learn a new language, or watch YouTube to learn how to get your woodworking badge, or sign up for an evening painting class, or anything that sparks your curiosity. Learning on your own or together keeps your minds sharp and creates confidence and can even be a time for shared memories.

#2 Send That Text

This might seem like a strange one, but my wife and I have many discussions about this one. She is sitting on the couch after work and wants to connect with her friends. We talk a lot about our friendships, but we tend to not do much more than that. We sit waiting for that call or text to come in to see if we want to do something. If we do not hear anything our egos take a hit and we feel less valued. Is this normal, did I do something wrong. That is not what we need to be doing, we do not need to be putting ourselves down, we need to be the one who sends that message. Grab your phone, look through your messages and send that invite. “Hey let’s hangout!” It starts with that. Or hey, let’s start a book club. Each one of us can use a good friend or two to help us work through things. If you are not that brave, then work on Inviting friends and family for shared meals and conversations. Building connections with your social circle enriches your lives together.

#3 – Serve

I will always shout this one from the roof tops. Get out and serve! Volunteer in your community and share your time and skills. Volunteering strengthens your bond while helping others. My favorite place to look for opportunities is a site called JustServe.org that has many projects all over the world. It is a great place even if you have a cause and need help. In the past few months the service I have done has helped heal my soul and cleared my head. I tend to serve when I am in a bad headspace because I come home much better and stronger. I always feel like I have it bad until I see what others are going through and then I realize what I am going through is just temporary and time heals.

#4 Stay active

It is important that you find active hobbies you both enjoy like hiking, running, biking, or kayaking. Even if you take dance classes or take walks at night. Your goal here is to make sure you are getting off the couch, moving your body while you still can and pushing yourself to do more. If that seems too much or you are working through an injury because we know they happen more, Shop at farmer’s markets, visit independently owned shops, museum visits, dine at local restaurants or late-night drives for ice cream. Your support strengthens your community.

#5 Travel

We seem to be waiting for retirement for those big travel plans. But we have time off at our jobs for a reason, and we need to take advantage of that while we can. My step-mother and I were chatting on the phone one night and she talked about all the big trips she planed with my dad, but never got the chance because he passed away too early. They talked about the big adventures, but never took them. Don’t let that be you. If you are not ready to travel overseas or to be gone for two weeks at a time, like everything else start small. Weekend adventures to nearby towns, exploring hidden gems, national parks, or historical sites. If you are ready for the long trips, book it. Pick something far enough out you can save your money, get a dog sitter, and find some great tours. But do not put it off. And if you are looking for way to do travel hacking on points, click HERE to learn how we travel at very affordable prices with our travel hacking system.

Remember it will not always be candlelit dinners, snuggling on the couch while you watch the same show. One will love true crime shows or podcasts and the other will want sports or something action packed. The purpose of this blog is to remind you that  the empty nest isn’t the end of a story; it’s a new chapter, one filled with unexpected possibilities. It’s a chance to rewrite the narrative, to remember who we are beyond the roles of parent, to reconnect with ourselves and each other, and to celebrate the growth that comes with letting go. 

So let’s embrace the spontaneous trips, the rediscovery of passions old and new. Let’s soar beyond the empty nest, together, and find that the sky truly is the limit.