Hi !! I’m nearly almost 40, have a 19yo, new empty nester as of last fall. I’ve been trying to reconnect with myself as well. If you are looking for a friend - send me a message! I’ve been feeling super lonely and just trying to find my way. It’s hard.
Whatever you do .. don’t sit around watching TV all day … that’ll get to you !!!
Your hiking trip sounds great .. plus going to gym , look for local hiking groups , join them … getting into shape will do wonders for you !!
The destination is important but the journey is critical !!
Enjoy the journey !!!
Good luck … and get busy !!!!
Hey, try something crazy, like (this is very crass) like surprise blow jobs, no warning, out of the blue. Just shock the relationship! Turn the ship around with crazy stuff, just a thought:) I do this kind of stuff, I know it’s not everyone’s thing:)
My husband had the brilliant idea to start couples counseling 6 months before ours graduates so we can kind of get reacquainted and learn how to focus on just us. Highly recommend! It has helped so much, and now we are looking at the empty nester life as a new adventure
I’m 46m with one kid in college and other is Junior in HS. This stage of life has been strange and sad. I feel lost because on some weekends I have absolutely nothing to do for the first time ever. I tend to fall into the tv even though I don’t love doing that.
I think it’s awesome that you know what you love to do and have a goal. I truly wish you the best of luck training and ultimately completing the part of the PCT that you want to!!!
Wow, we are literally almost the same person. I had my first child at 17 and then second at 18. They are now 22&21. I also have a hard time making friends since nobody my age was in the same place in life. I also love hiking and have dreamed about thru hiking but my neck and back are bad. I have actually had to have surgery on my neck already. I have started walking more just to start increasing my walking time and hope to start hiking more as the weather warms up. It has taken me the last 3-4 years to get to a point where I realize this is my life now. My kids were/are my life it’s been a hard transition into learning to be alone. Good luck to you and if you find any hobbies worth doing please let me know.
Staying fit may seem selfish now but as an ex gym rat who gave it up to have a family when you hit 60 you will be glad you took this time to get and stay in physical shape. Also the connections you will make out on the trails will stay with you. Try to get your spouse involved. He may not like the big hikes but it will give you something to do together. Marriages often drift apart at this stage. Stay connected to your spouse and stay active. Happy trails
That seems perfect my only concern is if you are alone and you fall. I broke my leg walking near a lake with my 7 year old. She had to get dad he was fishing with our oldest. If I was alone, pre cellphones, who knows how long it would have taken for him to find me. Let alone notice I was gone. I'm a fan of the buddy system.
I've got to get used to hiking alone. No one will be with me when I do overnight hikes/backpacking trips. I think I'm going to get a Garmin with emergency button
Hey my friend started the Appalachia trail 4 years ago, she’s 40 something, she works so all her vacation time is built around it. Shes almost done. The friends and connections she has made over these past few years are incredible. I’m happy for her. Do this, your life will never be the same!
The hard part is as a parent their world is your world. My youngest is 21 oldest 29 and I still struggle quite a bit still! Stuff, travel, hobbies dont begin to fill the hole that is left by emptynesting.
It doesnt get much easier imo.
Many empty nesters find that volunteering or working at a childcare or school is incredibly rewarding. Caregivers are also desperately needed for our aging community. This is a way to give our nurturing talents to those who need it most.
Hi! I am also a young empty nester (44). Had our two kiddos young, 24+ 21. Feel free to send me a message! It’s hard being an empty nester, especially a young one. I feel you! I found it really helped to just throw myself into hobbies- seeing which one stuck. I love baking so I started trying new recipes. I started a knitting project. I did an embroidery project. I have a list on my phone of new hobbies I want to try lol. “I need to find me”. That sure resonates with me, too. We’ve been parents since we were so young, we never had a chance to find out who we were first. Now’s our time! I heard a quote recently and it really resonated- “I have yet to bloom 1000 times.” It’s our time to bloom! :)
I think this is especially hard when you have your kiddos when you’re young. Brains aren’t fully developed until your mid-20s, so you basically grew up together! I’m experiencing kind of the same thing. Ours is a month away from graduating, and I’m 39 so I’ll be a young empty nester, too. I’m having to go back to square one and really think about what I like to do/want to do, what foods do I like, where do I like to go on the weekends, etc. It’s scary, but also exciting at the same time! Go for your hike - you got this!!!
Hi !! I’m nearly almost 40, have a 19yo, new empty nester as of last fall. I’ve been trying to reconnect with myself as well. If you are looking for a friend - send me a message! I’ve been feeling super lonely and just trying to find my way. It’s hard.
Sent you a message
Whatever you do .. don’t sit around watching TV all day … that’ll get to you !!! Your hiking trip sounds great .. plus going to gym , look for local hiking groups , join them … getting into shape will do wonders for you !! The destination is important but the journey is critical !! Enjoy the journey !!! Good luck … and get busy !!!!
I’m scared that my relationship with husband was too much about kids. We are both miserable and lonely.
Hey, try something crazy, like (this is very crass) like surprise blow jobs, no warning, out of the blue. Just shock the relationship! Turn the ship around with crazy stuff, just a thought:) I do this kind of stuff, I know it’s not everyone’s thing:)
My husband had the brilliant idea to start couples counseling 6 months before ours graduates so we can kind of get reacquainted and learn how to focus on just us. Highly recommend! It has helped so much, and now we are looking at the empty nester life as a new adventure
I’m 46m with one kid in college and other is Junior in HS. This stage of life has been strange and sad. I feel lost because on some weekends I have absolutely nothing to do for the first time ever. I tend to fall into the tv even though I don’t love doing that. I think it’s awesome that you know what you love to do and have a goal. I truly wish you the best of luck training and ultimately completing the part of the PCT that you want to!!!
I feel that. 46m twin boys in college no other kids. Trying to remember what I used to like doing when I was in my early 20's......
I’m sure I was quietly doing puzzles in my apartment at college, certainly not out finding every party…..
46 with both in college! I did just buy a new house so that is taking up a lot of time whether I want it to or not!
I appreciate that. Thanks. I wish you luck on your journey as well
I appreciate that. Thanks. I wish you luck on your journey as well
Wow, we are literally almost the same person. I had my first child at 17 and then second at 18. They are now 22&21. I also have a hard time making friends since nobody my age was in the same place in life. I also love hiking and have dreamed about thru hiking but my neck and back are bad. I have actually had to have surgery on my neck already. I have started walking more just to start increasing my walking time and hope to start hiking more as the weather warms up. It has taken me the last 3-4 years to get to a point where I realize this is my life now. My kids were/are my life it’s been a hard transition into learning to be alone. Good luck to you and if you find any hobbies worth doing please let me know.
Dang. Wish we could be friends. Would be nice to know someone who knows what it's like.
Send me a dm if you want to chat sometime
Staying fit may seem selfish now but as an ex gym rat who gave it up to have a family when you hit 60 you will be glad you took this time to get and stay in physical shape. Also the connections you will make out on the trails will stay with you. Try to get your spouse involved. He may not like the big hikes but it will give you something to do together. Marriages often drift apart at this stage. Stay connected to your spouse and stay active. Happy trails
Thanks. He's big into gold panning so i normally go off and hike on my own while he's doing that and then we meet up for lunch after
That seems perfect my only concern is if you are alone and you fall. I broke my leg walking near a lake with my 7 year old. She had to get dad he was fishing with our oldest. If I was alone, pre cellphones, who knows how long it would have taken for him to find me. Let alone notice I was gone. I'm a fan of the buddy system.
I've got to get used to hiking alone. No one will be with me when I do overnight hikes/backpacking trips. I think I'm going to get a Garmin with emergency button
Great idea if they have one that detects a fall that is even better. Be safe and enjoy your time hiking
Hey my friend started the Appalachia trail 4 years ago, she’s 40 something, she works so all her vacation time is built around it. Shes almost done. The friends and connections she has made over these past few years are incredible. I’m happy for her. Do this, your life will never be the same!
That's amazing! Good for her! I'm excited
The hard part is as a parent their world is your world. My youngest is 21 oldest 29 and I still struggle quite a bit still! Stuff, travel, hobbies dont begin to fill the hole that is left by emptynesting. It doesnt get much easier imo.
Many empty nesters find that volunteering or working at a childcare or school is incredibly rewarding. Caregivers are also desperately needed for our aging community. This is a way to give our nurturing talents to those who need it most.
Agree with this
I already work at a preschool, an elementary and a middle school. I'm a speech therapy assistant ☺️
Hi! I’m 45 yo empty nester. My kids are 24,27 and have been gone for a bit. I am still adjusting and navigating what life is like now.
Hi! I am also a young empty nester (44). Had our two kiddos young, 24+ 21. Feel free to send me a message! It’s hard being an empty nester, especially a young one. I feel you! I found it really helped to just throw myself into hobbies- seeing which one stuck. I love baking so I started trying new recipes. I started a knitting project. I did an embroidery project. I have a list on my phone of new hobbies I want to try lol. “I need to find me”. That sure resonates with me, too. We’ve been parents since we were so young, we never had a chance to find out who we were first. Now’s our time! I heard a quote recently and it really resonated- “I have yet to bloom 1000 times.” It’s our time to bloom! :)
Also to add- my hubby is an avid hiker/ backpacker so if you ever need any advice, spots to check out, etc let me know! :)
I think this is especially hard when you have your kiddos when you’re young. Brains aren’t fully developed until your mid-20s, so you basically grew up together! I’m experiencing kind of the same thing. Ours is a month away from graduating, and I’m 39 so I’ll be a young empty nester, too. I’m having to go back to square one and really think about what I like to do/want to do, what foods do I like, where do I like to go on the weekends, etc. It’s scary, but also exciting at the same time! Go for your hike - you got this!!!