If you are like most parents, you have probably joked about all the things you were going to do when the kids grew up and left home. Now that you are officially an empty nester,  you may feel lost or unsure about what to do next. Having feelings of loss and experiencing depression are common feelings empty nesters struggle with, and counseling can help you find new direction for your life when the kids leave home.

Give yourself time

Learning to accept being an empty nester is vital to being able to move forward and create a new life as a parent of adult kids. Like any other loss in life, it is okay to take time to grieve your loss. Going to counseling gives you a safe place to express your feelings and discuss the grieving process in a healthy way.

Navigate the changes

You may feel unprepared for this new season of life when the house feels empty and lonely. This can be especially difficult for single parents who are now living alone for the first time in their lives. Your counselor can help you work out a plan for how your new life as an empty nester will look and you can explore different ways to find joy and happiness again.

Find yourself again

It is not unusual to hear empty nest parents say they do not even know who they are any longer. This occurs because they have spent decades parenting and have often put their needs on hold to accommodate the needs of the kids. Putting yourself first again may feel strange but your counselor will encourage you to celebrate and embrace your new lifestyle. 

Build your new life

The empty nest can be a wonderful opportunity for self-exploration and your counselor can guide you in this process. It is a great time to try a new hobby you've always been interest in, or to travel to that location that has always intrigued you. If you have a spouse or partner, you can work on your relationship and spend more time together doing the things you love.

It is never easy to watch the last kid leave home. You have spent several decades parenting and the realization that your parenting days are over can be difficult to accept. Working with a counselor can help you work through your feelings and learn to focus on you and the things you want to achieve now that you have more free time as a parent of adult children. To learn more about the benefits of counseling services for an empty nester, contact a professional near you.