Whether your nest is truly empty or you are watching your first fly away, no one really prepares you for the chaos that is about to ensue in your psyche. It’s a deeply personal transition that blends sadness with opportunity, grief with growth, and uncertainty with the chance to rediscover oneself. Or if you're nearing the end of a chapter in any area of your life, the symptoms are much the same.

Of course, you miss your kids and all the fun stuff that goes along with having them in your home. But it’s bigger than that. You don’t just lose the day-to-day presence of your child, you actually lose the whole lifestyle you've come to know.

While the relief of daily care-taking can be liberating, we're often forced to look more closely at ourselves and the state of our environment, which can cause marital strain and physical unsettling. Though it's exciting to reclaim your space and reinvent yourself, it can be equally terrifying!

All these emotions are normal. But how you choose to move forward has everything to do with how softly you land.