They had prepared for it on paper—college applications, tuition payments, dorm shopping lists.

What they hadn’t prepared for was the silence.

After 18+ years of parenting, driving, planning, correcting, and caregiving, their home was quiet.
The kitchen didn’t need restocking.
No one needed rides.
The house felt still—and strangely unfamiliar.

A Mixed Bag of Emotions

Empty nesting can feel like freedom and loss in the same breath.

You may feel:

  • Proud, grateful, and relieved

  • Lonely, aimless, or uncertain

  • Closer than ever to your partner—or suddenly disconnected

  • Excited for what’s next—but unsure of where to begin

Many couples are surprised by how jarring it is.

Some say:

“I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
“We poured everything into parenting… and now we’re looking at each other like strangers.”
“It’s quiet—but not peaceful. It’s like something’s missing, and not just the kids.”

It’s Not Just About the Kids—It’s About Identity

When a big piece of your life shifts, your sense of self does too.

You may start to wonder:

  • Who am I without this role?

  • What do I want now?

  • What do we want as a couple?

Sometimes grief shows up—not just for your child’s departure, but for all the versions of you that came before. Other times, it’s guilt—for feeling relieved, for not missing them “enough,” or for wanting to start fresh.

All of it is normal.

The Tool: Reconnecting With Self and Each Other

In therapy, I often invite couples to slow down and notice their cycle during this transition.

Are they withdrawing from each other in grief?
Filling the silence with busyness?
Projecting uncertainty onto the relationship itself?

We use EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) to name what’s underneath the surface.

For example:

  • “When I see you lost in your thoughts, I worry that we’re drifting apart.”

  • “I’m scared that we don’t know how to be ‘us’ without the kids in the mix.”

  • “I miss how we used to laugh together. I don’t want to lose that.”

These tender conversations become a doorway back to connection—and to discovery.

A New Chapter, Not the End

The empty nest isn’t the end of the story.
It’s a transition.
A recalibration.
A chance to rediscover joy, intimacy, and partnership in a new way.

You may not recognize each other at first. But with curiosity and care, you can learn each other again—this time with more time, more freedom, and maybe even a little more grace.

May this be a small olive branch of hope for wherever you are.

Warmly,

Susan


Susan Liddy, MAMFT
Cornerstone Family Services
Roswell, Georgia

 

 

🌿 Struggling to Set Boundaries With Someone You Care About?

If speaking up in your friendships leaves you anxious, guilty, or unsure, you’re not alone. Boundaries can feel scary—especially when your heart is involved. I offer complimentary consultations to help you explore whether therapy could support you in honoring your needs while staying connected.

Whether you’re navigating people-pleasing, emotional burnout, or fear of disconnection, there’s a path to clarity and self-trust.

Let’s talk. Sessions are available in-person in Roswell, GA or virtually across Georgia. (My fees, should we choose to work together, range from $125–$135 per session.)