Empty Nest & Moving: How to Find Joy When You Feel Lost

Moving across the country right as the last child leaves the nest is a recipe for an identity crisis. In this episode, we explore the "weeds" of major life changes the confusion, the loneliness, and the existential dread and how to find small moments of wonder within them.I share my personal experience of moving from New Jersey to Minnesota and the trap of trying to replicate my old life in a new place. I discuss a specific "tale of two gym classes"—a Yin Yoga class where I tried to force familiarity and failed, versus a Pilates class where I entered with zero expectations and found a new passion.If you are struggling with an empty nest, a big move, or just feeling lost in a season of transition, this episode is about letting go of what was to make space for what is.In this episode, we cover:[01:00:25] The "Booktrovert" shirt and selling a new city to my son.[01:02:25] The "Weeds": Moving cross-country with an empty nest.[01:06:57] The identity crisis: Who am I without the daily job of mothering?.[01:08:57] Are we allowed to focus on personal struggles when the world is in chaos?.[01:13:26] Establishing new routines (and getting lost on the way home).[01:19:18] The Yoga Story: The danger of trying to replicate the past.[01:31:05] The Pilates Story: The power of low expectations.[01:33:55] Summary: Recalibrating expectations to find the wonder.Join the Online Community Our Women of Wonder community is a safe place to say the quiet stuff out loud, free from judgment. Women helping other women is a tried-and-true approach for empowerment and success, not to mention laughter and love. W.o.W. offers continuous support and resources, plus access to Dr. Cristie, for a low-cost membership.➡️ Join Our community: https://wonder.myflodesk.com/womenofwonder#EmptyNest #LifeTransitions #MentalHealth #WonderInTheWeeds #Moving #PersonalGrowth Get full access to Cristie Ritz-King, PsyD at critzking.substack.com/subscribe