you know your kid is in class.You’ll be surprised at how freeing it feels. Read a book: People who read for just six minutes experience reduced muscle tension and a slower heart rate, according to University of Sussex researchers. Cultivate curiosity; expand to new genres and topics, especially books that make you reflect and grow into a better human. If you’re not a reader, try listening to an audiobook! Start a journal: Journaling is a really helpful and important tool for processing real, hard-to-handle emotions. Moreover, if you take time to write down three things you’re grateful for each day, it can help you find joy in even the most mundane of days. BE INTENTIONAL WITH FRIENDS As a parent of kids with busy schedules that often overflowed with social events and extracurriculars, maybe most of your friends are the parents of your kids’ friends. Or, perhaps you had close friends once upon a time… but between work, moves and life, you grew apart. No matter your “relationship status” with your friends, it’s never too late to be intentional. Plan a weekend college reunion, go see a high school friend, or get together for lunch with those basketball mamas (or dads).You’re allowed to stay friends even though your kids aren’t in town anymore… it might even be helpful, because they understand exactly what you’re feeling! This is also your chance to make new friends. Be brave!You never know who might be good potential friend material. Will it sometimes be awkward or uncomfortable? Certainly. But remember, if your baby can be brave enough to move out and meet new people in college, you can do it too! CREATE A BUCKET LIST Whether it’s a fitness goal like running a half-marathon or a delicious dream like baking your first three-layer cake, create a bucket list for yourself. Spend time writing down things you aspire to accomplish, places you hope to go, and things you want to do, then swap with your spouse, compare lists and hang it on the fridge and start making plans for how you’re going to cross things off! Congratulations, you’ve made it through the chaos of the baby phase, the elementary school stage, the middle school years, and the high school saga! An empty nest does not mean an empty life—make plans and enjoy!
CINCINNATIFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 2025 17
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