How to Thrive with an Empty Nest: 30+ Things to Do After the Kids Leave Home

I don’t know about you, but seeing the return of back-to-school supplies in stores always makes me feel reflective.  This time of year brings back memories of dropping our youngest off at college and the tearful ride back home, knowing I was leaving behind not just our daughter but a time of life I loved so much. And while I’m not wild about the term empty nest, it’s a pretty good description of what our home felt like for the next several months.

That was over ten years ago.  And, honestly, those feelings of sadness and loss–sometimes called empty nest syndrome–still come up now and then, especially after a holiday or family event when everyone gathers and then leaves again.

The best advice I have for friends whose kids are leaving home is to just let yourself feel all the feelings. Shed your tears for the end of this chapter. 

You need to respect and cherish your life’s seasons.  But be careful not to let yourself get stuck there.  At some point, you have to let the next chapter begin.

 

Believe it or not, eventually you’ll find things to love and appreciate about an empty nest.  In the past few years, my life has blossomed in ways I never could have imagined.

And apparently I’m not alone, because research shows that women over 50 are among the happiest and most content!

If you’re currently in the middle of it all, wondering what’s next as an empty nester and how long these feelings will last, let me encourage you–there is life after your children leave home!

While becoming an empty nester is a life-changing experience, it doesn’t have to throw you off track. 

There’s so much happiness in store for you!  That’s why I wrote this post–to encourage you to focus on what’s next.  God loves us too much to let us stay where we are.  He’s always nudging us forward and working things out for our highest good.

If you stay open, this stage of life can be an amazing time of growth and new possibilities.  This is your opportunity to reinvent yourself and start fresh.

Now is the time to rediscover all the activities you set aside while you were raising your kids.  Can you remember what they were? After our girls left home, I had a hard time recalling what I enjoyed doing before we had children!

To help you get started, I made a list of things to do after the kids leave home.  These are the things that helped me move past heartache and find joy and purpose as an empty nester.

I realize many of these ideas might seem obvious, but when you’re in the middle of it all, sometimes you can’t think of anything productive or positive to do, so I hope this list opens your mind and heart to some of the possibilities available to you after your kids leave home. 

How to Thrive with an Empty Nest: 33 Things to do After the Kids Leave Home

1.  Volunteer

I can’t think of a better way to move past heartache than by reaching out and helping others who are in need, whether it’s an elderly person who could use some groceries or company, a neighbor who’s going through a hard time, or a teacher who needs an extra pair of hands in the classroom.

2.  Travel

An empty nest provides the perfect opportunity to start planning trips to places you’ve always wanted to see.  I’ve found that planning and looking forward to a getaway is almost as much fun as the actual trip! 

Paris in the Fall

After becoming empty nesters, my husband and I traveled to Paris and Italy for 10 days — something we’d talked and dreamed about for years.  It ended up being one of the highlights of our lives, and we hope to return soon!

3. Expand your culinary skills

This is the perfect time to broaden your home cooking or baking skills, try out new recipes, and discover new cuisines.  Now you can use all those ingredients your kids didn’t like! 

My Kitchen Counter Stool Review

4.  Declutter your spaces

I’ve found that having too much stuff – even if it’s hidden behind a closet door – affects my energy and creativity.

Decluttering our closets and kitchen every few months helps clear out the mental cobwebs and gives me a whole new outlook on life!

5. Get creative

An empty nest provides the perfect opportunity to explore or rekindle a love of hobbies like painting, calligraphy, knitting, pottery making, woodworking, sewing, cross-stitch … the possibilities are endless!  

Almost everyone I know (myself included!) would like to improve their photography and photo editing skills, whether that involves learning how to use all the features on their iPhone or mastering the fancy digital camera gathering dust in a closet. 

There are hundreds of online courses available through sites like Teachable, as well as local college classes, and free tutorials on YouTube sharing tips on whatever creative outlet you choose.

6. Put pen to paper

Have you ever dreamed of becoming an author?  Now’s the time to start writing!  You never know who is waiting to hear what you have to say. 

7. Start a blog

Blogging is another great way to connect with others and share your ideas, experience, and creativity.  It’s also a wonderful incentive to learn new things!

8. Plant a garden

There’s something about getting your hands in the dirt, nurturing plants, and seeing them thrive that is so satisfying!  

On the same note, having potted plants and flowers indoors and on your porch and patio can bring new life to your home.  

Summer Patio and Porch Ideas

9. Turn your hobby into a business

After becoming an empty nester, I took my love of interior design, writing, cooking, health, and travel and poured it into a blog and business. 

I think this one step, more than anything else on this list, helped me find a new sense of purpose as an empty nester.

10. Take time for self care and relaxation

Now’s your chance to enjoy some downtime, spend time sitting in the garden, appreciate the sunrise or sunset, and take long baths (without kids banging on the bathroom door!). 

Our Master Bathroom Renovation

Or, you might want to catch up on some of the binge-worthy TV series everyone’s talking about.  Palm Royale, Escape to the Chateau, The Crown, The Queen’s Gambit, The Great British Baking Show, All Creatures Great and Small, The Newsroom — and of course, Friends — are a few of our favorites. 

11. Focus on your health

My emotions were all over the place as I adjusted to life as an empty nester (menopause didn’t help either!), but this book helped me balance my moods. 

At this time of life, it’s also a great idea to see your doctor or naturopath to make sure your diet and hormone levels are in balance.

12. Be grateful

I’ve noticed I’m happiest when I focus on what’s going well in my life, rather than what’s not, so every day I try to write down — or at least think of  — several things for which I’m grateful.  

13. Invite someone over for dinner

Gathering people around the dinner table is one of my favorite things to do — especially now that I’m an empty nester.

If you’re a little rusty in the hosting department and need some tips, I wrote a post on how to host a casual dinner party, including menu ideas.

14. Connect with other empty nesters on social media

I’ve met some of the nicest women in the home décor community over on Instagram, but you might prefer YouTube, Facebook, or Pinterest. 

15. Master your mindset

To keep negative thoughts from railroading my day, as I’m cooking or doing things around the house, I like to pop in my AirPods and listen to motivational podcasts or YouTube videos.  And at night, I always read something positive before I fall asleep.  

In addition, no matter how busy I get, I try to meditate for a few minutes every day.  Even though I often just sit there and think about my to-do list, I know meditating makes me a happier, calmer person. 

Spending less time on social media and avoiding the news were also huge game-changers for me!

16. Learn a new language

My husband and love watching Escape to the Chateau (on Peacock).  The beautiful scenes of the French countryside make us want to buy a castle and retire in Provence.

So when our younger daughter told me about a free language-learning app called Duolingo, I downloaded it on my phone and started taking French lessons.

Now, instead of scrolling through social media in the evening, I spend a few minutes learning a new language.  Tres bien! 

17. Get moving

An empty nest provides more time to take walks or hikes, add some strength training to your routine, take tennis or golf lessons, join a gym, or work out at home. 

I like to begin each day with some gentle yoga.  It only takes a few minutes, but it helps keep my body and mind flexible and balanced.

18. Switch up your beauty routine

I know it sounds superficial, but a change in your makeup, hair style, or hair color can go a long way in improving your outlook on life.  Just getting my roots touched up makes me feel like a new person! 

19. Update your wardrobe

Refreshing your sense of style can help you see yourself in a new light and, in turn, help you approach the world in a more confident way. 

One of these days, I’d love to pare down my closet and put together a high-quality capsule wardrobe for each season.  I’m sure it would make getting dressed in the morning much easier!

20.  Become tech savvy

Have you always wanted to learn how to use Photoshop, PowerPoint, Canva, or Excel?  Now’s the perfect time to master the latest apps, programs, and gadgets–your kids will be so impressed!

21. Refresh your spaces

I’ve always loved poring over home catalogs and magazines for design inspiration, but once I began empty nesting, interior design and decorating became my passion. 

I’ve found that simply moving the furniture around or adding some fresh flowers or different pillows to a space can lift my spirits and give me a new outlook on life. 

If you’re interested in updating your home, here’s a page sharing my decorating and design posts.  

22. Forge a closer relationship with your kids

When my daughters were teenagers, we talked about everything, shared our daily ups and downs, and went shopping together, so when they left home I felt like I’d lost my best friends! 

But soon I discovered that one of the most wonderful things about empty nesting is getting to know my kids as adults.

Now we get together for coffee, plan family vacations — and still go shopping together!  Even though our relationship is different, it’s still rich and wonderful.

23. Strengthen your marriage

If you relegated your marriage to the back burner while you focused on your kids (I know I did), an empty nest provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your spouse and remember why you fell in love in the first place. 

This is a great time to explore new activities and hobbies as a couple.  Soon after our younger daughter left home, my husband and I took ballroom dancing lessons at the local community college, which gave us time to connect in a whole new way.  We had a lot of fun — and since we aren’t the greatest dancers, we also laughed a lot!

24. Continue your education

The empty nest years are a great time to take some online classes, finish your degree, or pursue a brand new profession.

Even though I have a business degree, I also love learning about natural wellness, so after our girls left home I went to nutrition school and received my health coaching certification. 

25. Nurture your friendships

It’s so easy to neglect our friendships while we’re busy raising kids, but an empty nest provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends.

I’ve found that one of the many benefits empty nesting is you can now enjoy long conversations without being interrupted!

26. Meet with a financial advisor

It’s always a good idea to connect with a financial expert about your future plans to make sure you’ll have enough money to retire when the time comes. 

And, whether you’re married or single, if you don’t have a current will, this is also a great time to see an estate attorney and get that done, too.  

27. Spend some time with little ones

There are many ways to spend time with children after your kids leave home, including volunteering at schools, reading to toddlers at the library, or teaching Sunday School — which, for a few years, is how my husband and I stayed involved with little ones when our girls were teens. 

28. Connect with extended family

After your children leave home, getting together with your parents and siblings is a great way to fill the need for connection. 

And, if your family is spread out across the country or world, you might even want to plan a reunion!

29. Adopt a pet

Pet adoption, fostering, and animal rescue are great ways to fill an empty nest — and when it comes to animals, you always end up receiving much more love than you give!

After our English bulldog passed away two years ago, we were so heartbroken we thought we’d never adopt another pet.  But little Finnley (a mini golden doodle) made his way to us last summer, and I can’t begin to tell you how much joy he’s brought to our home and lives!

30.  Join a club

If you enjoy socializing, you might want to think about joining a book club, garden club, bridge club, wine club, church group, or civic organization. 

Clubs are a great way to make new friends, explore an interest or hobby, learn something new, and alleviate the loneliness and boredom that can come with being an empty nester. 

31.  Go on a date

Now that your kids have flown the nest, this is a great time to start going on dates, visiting new restaurants, going to the beach, to shows, and checking out the latest museum exhibits. 

Whether you’re married or single, getting out of the house and doing new things — even if you go by yourself — is a great way to keep from getting stuck in a rut.

32.  Take a road trip

Are there places in the country you’ve always wanted to visit?  Empty nesting provides the perfect opportunity to take an extended road trip, visit national parks, and check a few places off your bucket list.

33. Lose yourself in a good book

Finally, this is your chance to read all those books that have been sitting on your nightstand for years!

Reading has the ability to carry me away, inspire, and change my outlook on life.  

Lately, I’m into non-fiction, but when I want to immerse myself in another world, here’s a charming book series I love.

Whether you’re a new, seasoned, or soon-to-be empty nester, I hope this list gave you some encouragement and ideas of activities to do after your kids leave home.

This is your chance to start fresh and give yourself all the good books, great food, long walks, special trips, and happy memories you deserve. Wishing you much joy on your journey!  xo Jane

P.S. If your feelings of sadness, grief, and other symptoms of empty nest syndrome are severe and/or last more than a few weeks, please seek out professional help. 

Looking for more ideas and inspiration?  Here are a few favorite posts from Jane at Home:

Nancy Meyers Style: How to Bring the Look to Your Kitchen and Home

2024 Home Decor Trends and Design Styles You Will Love

How to Choose a Design Style that Feels Right for You

Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home

What is Coastal Grandmother Style? (and why I love it!)

California Casual Interior Design: How to Bring Chic West Coast Style to Your Home

A Simple Guide to Mixing Metals in the Bathroom

Inspiring Kitchen Design Ideas for Your Next Renovation

The New Studio McGee Target Collection

Modern Bedroom Design Ideas for a Dreamy Master Suite

Modern Entryway Ideas for a Beautiful First Impression

Beautiful Living Room Decorating Ideas

Modern Dining Room Ideas for Beautiful Gatherings

Modern Patio Ideas for Beautiful Outdoor Living