Revolution GrayAfter years of having kids in the house, it’s hard to see them go. Many couples face challenges associated with being an empty nester. For many years, your life revolved around your kids and their schedules. Although the adjustment can be a challenge, there are ways that your relationship can benefit. We suggest a few pieces of relationship advice for empty nesters, so read on if you’re interested.
Acknowledge the Transition
The best relationship advice for empty nesters is to acknowledge the transition. Like any transition in life, things take time. It might take you and your partner some time to adjust to your new lifestyle. For years, your schedule revolved around your kids. You and your partner may have a hard time adjusting to the changes. It might feel like everything is different, and that’s okay. Acknowledge that this is a transitional period and that things might take a while to level out.
Connect With Your Partner
When you become an empty nester, it’s common to feel like it’s hard to connect with your partner. When your kids lived at home, you probably didn’t have as much one-on-one time as you wanted. Life gets busy, and it can be hard to make time for each other. Now that you have the time to connect, consider how to build a deeper connection with your partner. There are many ways to deepen your connection depending on what you enjoy doing. Now that you have the time and energy to spare, take some time to enjoy each other’s company. Think of it as an opportunity to fall in love with your partner all over again.
Consider Therapy
If you and your partner are really struggling with being empty nesters, consider therapy. There are a lot of things to work through when this change happens—your relationship, your mood, your motivation, and your hobbies. Whether you want to work through something together or alone, therapy is a great resource. It’s okay to seek professional help to overcome a challenging time in life, so give it a try. You might be surprised how much therapy can help you.
Being an empty nester can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to enjoy life. You and your partner now have the time to do whatever you choose. You can travel, move to a new city, start a new hobby, or just take it easy. Enjoy your free time and do what makes you happy—now is the time!