My husband and I would break out sobbing when we first became empty nesters. We found joy together.

"I expected the empty nest to be a lonely and sad place. Instead, I learned that motherhood doesn't end; it evolves. When my youngest of four left for college, I cried for days. Someone said to me that they thought I would get used to it. That having four kids makes it easier in some strange way. It is not easier. The silence that came from the last kiddo leaving felt almost shocking."

"My husband and I had moments when we would look at each other and burst out into tears. One afternoon, we sat on the couch crying. When each child leaves, the dynamics of the home change. We had a rowdy household. There were always doors opening and closing, and friends coming over. We laughed together and, of course, had some disagreements from time to time."

"Friends would tell me, "You'll be fine, this is normal. You still get to have a relationship with your kids." I knew they came from a good place when they said it, but they missed the depth of what I was feeling. I didn't want to be "fine." I wanted to feel like myself again. For a short time, I had a hard time envisioning that my life would be OK after they moved out."

The empty nest initially brought deep sadness, loneliness, and shock at the sudden silence after the youngest left for college. Marital moments included shared tears and quiet dinners as the household dynamics shifted away from daily chaos. Well-meaning reassurances felt insufficient while identity questions and uncertainty about the future surfaced. Daily routines slowed without extracurriculars and late-night check-ins. Over time, new hobbies, self-discovery, and renewed connection replaced persistent grief. Motherhood continued in different forms through evolving relationships, intentional family moments, and a transformed sense of purpose beyond earlier caregiving roles.

Read at Business Insider