Today, I watched my son grab his football gear and head out the door for practice, just like he has hundreds of times before. But this time feels different. This is his senior year of high school, and suddenly every “routine” moment carries more weight. After football wraps up, he’ll transition into hockey season, then lacrosse in the spring. Each sport marks another milestone in our last year of this familiar rhythm.
It’s hard to believe that in just a few months, we’ll be packing him up and moving him into a dorm. My wife and I have started talking about what life will look like when he’s off at school next fall. Oh my gosh, we’re going to be empty nesters. For the first time in eighteen years, our schedules won’t revolve around someone else’s practices, games, and school events.
The empty nest phase feels like a preview of retirement. Both represent major life transitions where the structure that once defined your days suddenly shifts, leaving you with the incredible opportunity to choose how you want to spend your time.
While we feel a bit sad that this chapter is coming to a close, simultaneously our home is filled with new life. We recently brought home a puppy, and as I watch her discover the world with such enthusiasm, I’m reminded that curiosity and exploration don’t have an expiration date.
Transitions don’t have to be just about what you’re losing. They can also be about what you’re gaining. Retirement is a chance to rediscover parts of yourself that got tucked away during the beautiful chaos of parenting.
With thoughtful planning, the end of an era can also bring new beginnings. There’s no question that your life will change in retirement. But with that change comes new opportunities. How do you want to spend your time?
Now is the time to plan for the life you want tomorrow. Let’s make the most of your empty nester years by creating a strategic financial plan so you can live the retirement of your dreams.
Ready to get started? Give me a call at 952-460-3290.
CUP OF JOE
From Joe Lucey, Founder of Secured Retirement
There’s something about sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee that always kicks my day into high gear. And it’s not just because of the caffeine it sends coursing through my veins.
Throughout my career, some of my biggest revelations have come to me in conversation with my mentor over a cup of joe. Good conversation and personal connection can pick you up in a special way. It’s that feeling that I’m hoping to bring to you with my series, your Cup of Joe.
