A couple of weeks ago, I recorded a short video about the crazy mix of emotions that comes with becoming an empty nester. And wow…was I feeling it. Heck, who’s kidding who…I still am.
For me, this season hits differently. As many of U may know, I’ve been the sole parent to my two daughters since they were one and three years old. They’ve been my world, my focus, and my “why” for more than two decades. Now, they’re thriving as a freshman and junior at Arizona State University, and I just dropped my oldest daughter off for her study abroad program in Europe. And dang, that made things really real…
On one hand, my heart is bursting with pride and joy. My girls are spreading their wings, chasing big dreams, and living the kind of adventures I always hoped for them. I couldn’t be more proud and excited for them. On the other hand…my house has never felt so quiet. The silence is a reminder that the season of constant noise, laughter, and everyday chaos has shifted into something completely new, and unbelievably foreign.
And here’s the truth: in my opinion, this isn’t a phase of life that gets talked about enough. It’s something that I knew was coming yet never fully prepared for. And perhaps, we’re not really supposed to prepare for it. Or maybe we’re not even fully capable of preparing for it and simply need to experience it when the time comes. What I know for sure, however, is the emotions are such a dichotomy, excitement and grief, pride and emptiness, joy and sadness, all wrapped up in the same singular moment.
And having experienced the buildup and the send off now firsthand, here’s the reframe that helped me most beyond just the mindset shift from empty nesting to bird launching. This…this moment…THIS is the moment U have worked ALL these years for. THIS has been your big goal. Healthy, happy, brave, confident and kind young adults, taking in the world, while shaping their own. And THAT’S worth celebrating.
So, dear readers, here are a few “lessons from the nest”…a handful of personal reflections and professional takeaways that perhaps could help and support U, both at home and at work.
1. Celebrate their wins as if they’re your own. When my daughters call with good news or share a new adventure, I feel like I’ve won right alongside them. Their success is a reflection of the love, energy, and effort poured into raising them. These are their moments, and still the pride I feel is a win for both of us. The same is true in leadership: when your team achieves something, it’s also a reflection of the environment U created for them to thrive. U both get to share in the celebration! So be sure to do so!
2. Create new rhythms for yourself. For 20+ years, nearly every routine in my life revolved around my girls’ school schedules, activities, and our late-night talks. Now, I’m discovering what it looks like to create rhythms that are mine. And it feels a little clunky at times. That’s ok. Leaders can fall into the same trap of centering everything around the team’s needs. And when U intentionally carve out space for yourself, U lead with more energy, clarity, and balance. And that is a gift that everyone benefits from.
3. Let yourself feel both things. Some days I’m overflowing with pride; other days I feel the sting of my quiet hallways. The truth is, both can exist together. That tension isn’t a weakness, it’s simply part of the richness of the experience. Leaders face this too; U can be grateful for progress and still feel the weight of challenges. Allowing space for both emotions makes us more compassionate and grounded.
4. Lean into your next chapter. As my daughters build their futures, I’m stepping more boldly into mine…expanding my business, growing my impact, and rediscovering passions I set aside. Leaders often get caught in the past or stuck in maintenance mode. And every transition, whether personal or professional, is also an invitation…to dream again, to stretch again, and to begin to write the next chapter.
This season of life has reminded me that transitions are never just about endings, they’re about beginnings, too. Whether you’re sending children off into the world, stepping into a new role, or leading a team through change, the emotions will always be a mix of pride, loss, excitement, and uncertainty. And that’s okay. What matters most is how we choose to hold those emotions, learn from them, and move forward with hope. Because at the end of the day, both in life and in leadership, every ending is simply the start of a new chapter…one that’s waiting to be written. So grab your coffee, pick up your pen, and begin writing. The future is yours…too.
With love & gratitude,
Jodi