Restarting Passions After the Empty Nest: Why It's Not too Late (Part 1)

Restarting Passions After the Empty Nest: Why It's Not Too Late (Part 1)

Hi there, my beautiful empty nesters.

Welcome back to Momma’s Motivational Messages.
I’m your host, PK.

Today, we’re starting a three-part conversation about something I know many women wrestle with quietly, especially empty nesters.

And that’s how to restart a passion that may have gotten buried under responsibilities, schedules, and everybody else’s needs.

This is a big topic, so I didn’t want to rush it.
Let me tell you how this series will unfold.

In Part 1, we’re going to talk about why passions get deferred, what happens emotionally when the nest empties, and why it is absolutely not too late for you.

Then, in Part 2, we’ll move into some of the common challenges you may encounter in pursuing your passions.

And finally, in Part 3, you’ll learn practical strategies, informed by research, to help you go from feeling stuck to feeling inspired enough to dig into that box in the closet and pick a lost passion to get started on.

If you’ve ever wondered,
“Do I even have a passion anymore?”
This series is for you.

Let’s get started by talking about deferred passions.

When I say deferred passions, I’m talking about those dreams you put on hold for later.

Maybe you’ve asked yourself:
What happened to that spark I used to feel about life?
Is it too late for me?
Did I miss my chance?

If that sounds like you, I want you to stay with me.
Because by the end of this series, you’re going to feel empowered to shift from feeling stuck to feeling inspired.

You’ll learn how to embrace change and pursue your dreams with renewed energy.
You won’t feel defeated, stagnant, or stuck anymore.
You’ll feel ready to take a chance on yourself.
Because your dreams matter.

Before we go any further, I want to tell you about a free resource I created especially for those of you who are ready to start exploring your passions.

It’s called Your Pathway to Passion.
It’s a five-day challenge designed to help you uncover what truly lights you up, even if you feel unsure about where to start.

It’s free, and you can find the link in the description or show notes.
Be sure to download your copy today.

Now let’s get back to passions that have been deferred, put off, or ignored.

I want to start with a short story about Sabrina.

Sabrina is an empty nester who spent her life working, raising kids, caring for aging parents, and volunteering at church.

She was the dependable one.
The strong one.
The person everyone said,
“Call Sabrina. She’ll figure it out.”

One day, after her youngest moved out, she was cleaning out a closet and found an old box labeled,
“Do not throw away.”

Inside were a half-finished manuscript of a children’s book, some drawings and sketches, and a brochure for a writing workshop she wanted to attend twenty years ago.

She sat there in the hallway holding that paperwork and thought,
“Oh, I remember her.
The version of me who dreamed of becoming a writer.”

That box didn’t hold junk.
It held a version of herself that had been put on pause.

For many of us, our passion is like that box in the closet.
Still there.
Still ours.
Just waiting to be opened.

How many of you know that woman?

I know her personally.

I, too, have had manuscripts of poetry and ideas for other creative projects outside of this podcast.
Inspirational books.
Children’s books.
Even a movie script.

I wondered whether I should leave those dreams to younger folks.
But I realized there’s no time like the present.

I opened my box.
And I started podcasting.

You can open your box, too.
And you can pick a project to get started at any time.

In fact, opening that box now means you’re opening it as a wiser, more seasoned, more grounded woman.

A woman who can be intentional about integrating passions into her life.

Experts refer to this as harmonious passion.
It fits into your life like members of an orchestra playing in harmony.

It doesn’t take over your life.
It doesn’t create conflict or stress.
Instead, it opens a whole new world of joy and fulfillment.

Research has found that harmonious passion contributes to better psychological health and greater life satisfaction.

It may even help protect the brain, reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia over time.
And it has been associated with a reduced risk of early mortality in older adults.

So when we talk about pursuing passion in midlife and as empty nesters, we’re not talking about burning yourself out or trying to catch up on everything you didn’t do earlier in life.

We’re talking about entering a state of flow.
A state where you’re so engaged that you lose track of time.

It’s about integrating meaningful activities into your life in a way that supports who you are now.

Now, I don’t want to minimize the empty nest phase.
It can be a double-edged sword.

For some women, it brings feelings of loss, sadness, and questions about identity, especially if you invested deeply in parenting.

But it can also be a time of reawakening.
A chance to rewrite what comes next.

That’s why this season can be the perfect time to focus on what truly brings you joy.

Some women adjust well to the empty nest.
Studies show they may experience greater freedom, stronger relationships, and more time to pursue personal goals and interests.

Think of this new space like remodeling your inner house.

You don’t have to erase the memories to make room for something new.

You can stand in the doorway and mourn the silence.
That’s valid.

But at some point, you also get to ask:
What do I want this room to become now?

A studio?
A library?
A prayer or meditation space?
A writing nook?
A craft room?
A podcasting or YouTube corner?

That’s what I did.

I turned one of my child’s former rooms into a library and office space.
It can still double as a guest room when needed.

My adult child still calls it “my room” when he comes home.
And that’s okay.

What matters is how you use the space.
And it’s never too late to get started.

I’ve given you a lot to think about today.

Before I go, let me tell you about Part 2.

In Part 2, we’ll unpack the very real challenges that get in the way, like fear, perfectionism, guilt, and concerns about time and energy.

You won’t want to miss that conversation.

And if you’re listening right now thinking,
“PK, that sounds good, but I don’t even know where to begin,”
I’ve got you covered.

That’s why I created a free resource called Your Pathway to Passion.

It’s a five-day challenge designed to help you reconnect with your interests, strengths, and sense of purpose in small, doable steps.

You can download it by clicking the link in the description or show notes.

Until next time, this is PK,
sending you much light and a whole lot of love.