College Prep Series: Preparing for Empty Nesting
BY JULIANNA STEEN
gardening, running, volunteering, coloring, woodworking, cooking, pickleball, hiking…The list is endless. And if by “hobby” you hear, “find a new project,” like fixing up the back patio like you’ve always wanted but never made the time for... I won’t dissuade you. Start by taking five minutes to jot down activities that bring you joy or skills you wish you had. Next, research that list and see if a local studio or nearby shop has the necessary supplies and/or offers how-to classes. If you chose to stay at home when your kids were in school, consider getting a part-time job doing something you enjoy. Not only will it fill your time and provide structure to your week, it can also be a fun way to meet new people and try something different. Plus, extra spending money is always a perk! (Men, if your wife is the “CEO of the home,” as Birmingham mom Kasey terms it, make sure you help her through the transition of losing her “full-time job.”) If you have aging parents, you may discover that you can devote more time to them as well. PLAN A VACATION Now that you’re not tied down to a school schedule (for the first time in, ahem, 12-plus years), you are free to travel anytime. It doesn’t have to be fancy or two weeks long—though, it can be…Europe, anyone?—even a long weekend at the beach will do the trick.The key is to have something to
look forward to that gets you out of the house and puts you in your happy place. Plus, this is an opportunity to rekindle your relationship with your spouse. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF When was the last time you really, truly devoted time and energy to your physical, emotional, and mental health? Amid the hustle and bustle of kids, you always come in last… but now that you’ve sent off the last one, you finally have time for you.You’ve been trained to not think about you, even when there’s throw-up on your shirt or you’re running on four hours of sleep because someone decided to stay out past curfew.There are a few different ways you can reconnect with and invest in yourself. Try a new type of exercise: Maybe you’re already working out, but branching out to try a new kind of exercise or a new group fitness class can be a somewhat scary but exciting and rewarding opportunity. Regardless, be consistent and keep showing up! Unplug from your phone: I know, I know, the fear of missing a call from your now-college student is legit. However, research by the University of Texas exposes that taking time away from your smartphone is good for you, as it “improves sustained attention, mental health, and subjective well- being.” So leave your phone (and Apple watch!) at home and go on a walk when
Y ou’ve done your part:You’ve changed diapers, listened to the middle school drama, held your baby’s hair as they threw up yet again from the stomach bug.You’ve poured your blood, sweat, tears and oh so much money into your little baby, cheering them on at all their extracurriculars and helping them to grow into a person you’re proud to post about on Facebook. But now that fateful, day has come and gone: high school graduation. As you assist in packing your kid for college, you may begin to wonder what life after kids in the house is like. College is exciting for them, but leaving you in that quiet, empty house doesn’t sound so exciting for you.Empty nesting shouldn’t be something to dread; here are practical tips on how to prepare for empty nesting and enjoy the freedoms found in this season. FIND A PURPOSE Let’s not sugarcoat it: No matter how independent your child was before leaving for college, you did a lot for them, which means you’re about to have a whole lot more time on your hands. Nature Medicine’s 2023 study, spanning over 93,000 people ages 65 and older across 16 countries, suggests that there are physical and emotional benefits to having a hobby.Those with hobbies showed fewer symptoms of depression and higher life satisfaction than those without.The hobby itself doesn’t matter: painting, sewing,
16 JUNE 2025 | CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM
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