What do you fill your life with once the kids grow up?

[Nopinnogin]

I am just interested really. I’ve always been intense- 20’s had passionate love affairs, parties, travel then a large family that took all of my time and energy. Now they are nearly grown I am feeling a little lost- despite having friends, hobbies, work etc. How did you cope and what do you do?

Good question. I’m approaching this phase soon. And at the moment there’s a lot of relaxation going on on my part!!!!

I’ll be at retirement age once they’ve gone so I’m looking forward to it.

Same way as when they were little.
Meet friends for days out
Go away as much as possible
Cycle long distance
Go to gigs
Have friends round for meals
Hill/ mountain walk
To be honest, nothing much has changed, even when they left home.

Sea swimming, reading, performing in my wonderful choir, seeing all sorts of live music, chatting to friends, catching up on box sets, might squeeze in some time with DH.

Too much atm. Still have large family house to maintain gardens to look after, grandchild to care for on occasion, animals, etc. looking forward to downsizing and getting a bit more leisure time for ourselves very soon.

As I'm divorced and co parent i have hald my life child free, took a while to find my feet and rediscover my passions, but its travel, gigs, reading, sitting on the sofa not being asked for snacks constantly.

What more is there on top of friends, hobbies and work? What is it you feel is missing?

I’ve got 2 grown up kids. From around 6th form onwards, and particularly after they learned to drive at 17/18, I’ve found it liberating in that I can think of my own needs before theirs for once, can prioritise my relationship with DH and friends. We can book holidays outside of school holidays (the joy of no toddlers splashing in pools 😉).

There’s no change in everyday life as such but it’s a very different - in a positive sense- state of mind that you should embrace!

Doing more of what I was restricted with while they were around.
Travelling more, weekends away, going to more gigs.
Basically doing what I want to do, when I want to do it.

These all sound great!!! I would love to join a choir, go on holiday etc.

Actually I am just feeling nostalgia too much. Memories in my local area of good times we had. I am a planner so I need to really start planning things for myself- the problem being I still feel terrible spending on myself as I am used to putting other people first.

Thank you for the inspiration and the positivity that there is a lot to look forward to.