Finding Motivation and Purpose in the Empty Nest Phase

Life after Kids with Drs. Brooke and Lynne

In this episode of Life after Kids, we discuss how to find motivation and purpose when you have more time on your hands, particularly after entering the empty nest phase of life. We explore the complexities of adjusting to life when the busyness of raising children subsides, offering tangible advice and insights to those searching for fulfillment in this new chapter.

Key Takeaways:

• Parkinson's Law: Work expands to fill the available time, illustrating why you may feel less productive when you have more time.
• Finding Purpose: Recognize the emotions behind feeling lost or unmotivated in an empty nest and reframe this time to discover new interests or hobbies that can lead to fulfillment.
• Time Management: Organizing and planning your day, even if it's filled with leisure activities, can fend off feelings of unproductivity and ensure a sense of accomplishment.
• Mindset Shift: Shifting your mindset by focusing on gratitude and redefining tasks can transform your perspective and reignite motivation.
• Physical and Emotional Health: Emotional well-being and physical factors, such as diet and hormones, play a role in motivation levels and should not be overlooked.

RESOURCES
The Life After Kids Membership Community
The Life after Kids Goals Framework

Listen to the full episode for a comprehensive dive into mastering motivation in times of abundant freedom, and stay tuned for more transformative discussions in future episodes of Life after Kids
Timestamp
| 0:00:25 | Discussion on the concept of Parkinson's Law
| 0:03:32 | Anticipation of the empty nest phase
| 0:05:43 | Addressing the need for rest and relaxation
| 0:06:42 | The balance between rest and staying active
| 0:09:03 | Misplacing the focus on kids leaving instead of finding balance and purpose
| 0:10:00 | Importance of finding a new purpose and overcoming fear and lack of confidence
| 0:11:25 | Feeling significant as a mom and the fear of losing that significance
| 0:12:59 | Enabling children by constantly being needed, not healthy for anyone
| 0:13:43 | Embracing the possibilities and not selling oneself short
| 0:15:12 | Taking on activities that light you up and bring fulfillment
| 0:16:54 | Trying new things and learning from the experience
| 0:17:50 | Clues to talent: time flows, learning fast, yearning for more
| 0:18:20 | Hobbies can be satisfying and a blessing to others
| 0:21:11 | Combat the natural decline of productivity as we age
| 0:23:27 | Keep a planner and be intentional with your time
| 0:24:51 | Procrastination may be a sign of something deeper
| 0:26:23 | Consider emotional and physical factors affecting motivation
| 0:27:55 | Hormones can impact productivity and mindset
| 0:27:55 | Reframing tasks with gratitude
| 0:29:06 | What is wrong is always available, but so is what is right
| 0:29:32 | Gratitude for being a mother
| 0:31:57 | Make the most of your day

Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids!
If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend.
Making tomorrow even better than today,
Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne
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