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What Fall is Like in the Emptying Nest

August 5, 2017 By Christine Field

This post may contain affiliate links.

As I child, I loved fall. Because I was a suck up smarty pants kid, the teachers loved me and I was always excited about returning to school and the interaction and attention that I would receive there.

When I had my own kids, fall was back-to-homeschool time. At breakneck speed, I had to plan curriculum, write lesson plans, arrange church activities, join co-ops, maybe teach in co-ops and more and more and more. It was a dizzying time!

This fall, it’s different. I have the space and time to plan ME CURRICULUM and ME ACTIVITIES.

empty nest and fall

 

Because I work at home for one job and only work a few times a week for another job, I can plan my own schedule.

So, what am I doing?

  1. Trying to write more consistently. This is a tough one. It’s a funny concept that when things are less busy, it’s actually harder for me to get things done because I get distracted so easily. When I have leisure time, my mind and attention wander.  When my day is more structured, I schedule things that need to get done and, by golly, they eventually get done.  I’m going to be running some articles and a challenge on this soon, so stay tuned!
  2. Nurturing my creativity. Look, I tend to live in my left brain too much. I want to apply logic and problem solving skills to everything. That’s not a bad things, but sometimes you need to dream dreams and imagine new things. These are right brain activities. A few years ago, I purposed to do more right brain things to nurture my creativity.(a) I looked into art journaling. Believe me, I share these with NO ONE. But I sure have fun painting, pasting, sewing, stamping and fooling around.  If you feel you have no “artistic talent” this is a great way to tap into the talent you DO have and you might surprise yourself!

    (b)  I fiddle with learning to draw and learning lettering. Grab a few books from the library or the bookstore and get yourself a sketch book. Again, NO ONE SEES the things I draw or letter, but they somehow help me access a part of myself that I don’t normally use.  I’d have to let the shrinks explain that one, but doing some of these things has made me feel more creative and centered.

    (c) I’m putting music back into my life.  Yes, I was a flute major when I started undergrad so many moons ago. Yes, I played the tin whistle in a couple or Irish bands back in the day. But my current learning is focused on classical guitar. I rented one and got some instruction books and found a good website with videos and I’m having a blast.

  3. Taking classes.  Oh, I am having a ball with this one! One of my sisters is my compadre in most of these adventures. She is a skilled craftsman and makes and sells jewelry. I go to classes with her and engage in some “remedial learning” while she excels. So far we’ve done a couple of chain maille classes, resin jewelry, polymer clay, and most recently, copper enameling. I never imagined I would use a blowtorch! But we had so much fun that we will be buying some equipment to do more.
  4. Looking into alternate viewpoints.  They can be no denying that we live in a polarized culture. Politics and redefining societal norms are causing huge divisions between us. I have been guilty of being so entrenched in my own beliefs that no daylight of differing opinion could penetrate.  Well, I have reconsidered my stance. While I will maintain (and defend) my core beliefs, I think God gave me two ears and only one mouth for a reason. Therefore, while I am a FOX NEWS devotee, when I am with my sisters I have been watching MSNBC to see how they think. This gives me both sides of the issue. More fully knowing the other side has empowered me to have more informed, intelligent discussions on important issues. Look, we’re getting to the point where we can barely have civil discourse. If we don’t all calm the heck down and remember how to talk to one another, how can we live in peace?

Emptying the nest is both sad and exhilarating.  Young motherhood had a good run. It’s time for some newness in life.

How about you?

Filed Under: Adventure, Embracing change, Empty nest, Relationships Tagged With: empty nest, fall

Previous Post: « Symptoms of Inner Peace – by Saskia Davis
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Hi, I’m Christine

Have you been a wholehearted mother, but time, toddlers and teenagers have moved on? If you are wondering what comes next for you, you’ll feel right at home here.

Or, are you a mom for whom family life has been non-Pinworthy and parenting has been downright painful? I hear ya. There are many of us around.

Are you looking for a life full of exploration and adventure after the nest empties, but maybe you have no idea how to go about doing that? Stick around! We’ll explore adventures together to help you gain more clarity for your own path.

After a couple decades of writing books and articles about parenting, homeschooling and adoption, speaking to homeschoolers and other parent groups, and reaching out to the mom in the trenches who was trying to make the best of it - my kids grew up. Some grew up and grew away. I was determined to find a way out of the pain, emptiness and lack of direction.

For many of us, the journey starts with something we moms are not accustomed to. After years of caring for and serving others, sometimes we forget the beauty and wonder of US. We need to spend some time getting to know the parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, and take the time to explore interests and passions that we set aside.

I’d like to invite you to get the “What’s Next for Mom” workbook and jump into this growing tribe of Moms who are emptying the nest and filling the life! Let’s reignite your Mojo after Mothering!
Read More…

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About Christine

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At Real Mom Life, my passion is to provide resources and reassurances for moms facing the surprising challenges of family life. In my writing and speaking, I explore solutions to unexpected issues in adoption, homeschooling, special needs, and more while encouraging moms to extract the maximum joy out of each day. Read More…

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