Why Blogging is the Perfect Empty Nest Post-Kid Passion

Are you a new empty nester? Been there, done that, empty nester? I’m not there yet, but I know I will be there one day. It happened for me in what felt like the blink of an eye. One minute, you’re juggling sports activities, science projects, AP courses, and dinner for 6+, and the next, I was staring at a quiet house filled with old photos and echoes of laughter. If you are there, you know!

There is no doubt that the empty nest years arrive with a strange mix of emotions: pride, peace, sadness, and a new kind of stillness. Maybe you’re a single parent who poured everything into your kids. Perhaps you and your spouse are looking at each other, asking, “Now what?” No matter how you got here, this life transition is real, and it matters.

This is the season where your dreams, your voice, and your creativity deserve to come off the back burner, my friend. Get excited! It’s not just a chapter closing, it’s a new chapter beginning. And for women like you (sorry guys, this one is pointed to the ladies), blogging may be the most unexpected and meaningful way to begin again. I mean, who knows where it will take you! I sure had no clue when I began.

Why This Season Is the Perfect Time to Start Something New

Would you say you’ve gained some wisdom over the years and years of your life? I’d say so! That wisdom, earned through raising kids, navigating hard times, and showing up day after day, doesn’t retire when the nest gets quiet. In fact, this new season is when it can finally shine.

For the first time in a long time, you’ve got free time that isn’t filled with extracurricular activities, sports practices, or dinnertime debates about who’s doing the dishes. And now that your adult children are stepping into the adult world, you’ve been handed something unexpected: space to breathe, dream, and create again.

You’re still nurturing, just in a new role.

This is your perfect time to do something that excites you. Did you hear that? It is YOUR time, my friend! Not to keep busy. Not to prove anything. But to reconnect with who you’ve always been underneath the layers of motherhood, marriage, and day-to-day life. And blogging is one of the most meaningful ways to do just that. (If I do say so myself!)

You’ve got a voice someone needs to hear. Your perspective, your stories, your wisdom, those things are gifts. Blogging helps you unwrap them again. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Here’s why I think blogging fits beautifully into this new “empty nester” season of life.

• It allows you to reflect and share at your own pace, perfect for a peaceful morning or a quiet evening.
• Blogging creates connection with others walking through a similar situation.
• It brings back a sense of purpose that may have faded during the busy years.
• Not to mention,it’s a small step that could open doors to new things, new friendships, or even a successful career.

In Sprinkle it with Sunshine, I talk about stepping into this next season with joy, humor, and faith, knowing you’re not behind, and you’re not done. You’re just beginning again, with life experiences that are worth passing on.

Blogging Reignites Your Passion and Purpose

When you’re in the thick of raising kids, your own passions often get tucked away, sometimes so far back, you forget they were ever yours. But now that the house is quiet and your young adults live their own lives, it’s the perfect moment to pull those dreams back into the light.

Blogging is one of the best ways to reconnect with what makes you feel alive. Why? Because writing opens the door to reflection, creativity, and connection all at once. Like journaling, it helps you process your life transitions, celebrate your wins, and even find meaning in your hardest seasons.

Now, you don’t need a degree in journalism or a background in marketing. What you do need is already in your heart: your life experiences, your stories, your lessons learned in the parenting years, and your God-given voice.

It could be as simple as:

• Writing about your favorite self-care routines that helped you through tough times.
• Sharing what you’ve learned about healthy relationships now that you and your spouse have plenty of time again.
• Creating posts about your spiritual growth, daily habits, or the small steps that helped you rediscover yourself.

In my book Sprinkle it with Sunshine, I talk about how rekindling joy starts with choosing to show up for you. Blogging gave me that gift, and I believe it can do the same for you.

Friend, your story isn’t “too small” or “too late.” It’s right on time.

Empty Nester, Overcome the Fear of Starting Something New

I am not gonna lie. Starting something new in this next stage of life can be downright insane. I can’t tell you how many people commented to me that this is the time when most people decide to take it easy, travel, and enjoy life! Of course, I get it, but that is not me! I realize you may be unsure where to begin or even if you should. But I’m here to gently remind you: fear is a regular part of growth. It’s a clear signal you’re stepping into something meaningful.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly” – G.K. Chesterton.

When I first began blogging, I didn’t have a business plan. I didn’t have a fancy website. What I did have was a quiet house, a lot of notes, a laptop, and a tug on my heart that said, “It’s time.”I took a small step, and then another. That’s how it starts.

Fear says, What if no one reads it?

But purpose says, even if one person is helped, it’s worth it.

Fear says, I’m too old to learn all this tech stuff.

But growth says, You’ve learned so much in life already, this is just a new skill set.

Blogging is flexible. You can write at your kitchen table, during your free time, or between grandbaby FaceTime calls (ask me how I know). There are different ways to show up. Your voice doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be authentically yours.

Making the Most of Your Experience (And Turning It Into Something Valuable)

If you’ve raised children, kept a household running, juggled jobs, sports schedules, illnesses, birthdays, and all the wild in-between moments, then friend, you have a treasure trove of wisdom. Blogging gives you a place to pour it out in a way that blesses others and reminds you just how valuable your voice is.

Think about the life experiences you’ve gained: the hard times you got through with grace (or grit), the spiritual growth that carried you, the practical tips you’ve passed along in phone calls or group texts. That’s content people are craving.

Whether it’s writing about raising kids, self-care routines that keep you sane, book club takeaways, or how to make regular date nights work after the last child leaves, you’ve lived it. You are the expert in your own life. Blogging simply gives you the microphone.

What you may see as ordinary, someone else is praying to learn.

What feels like second nature to you could be someone else’s answered question.

This empty nest stage is about letting your light shine in a surprising and different way. Your journey could be the support group someone didn’t know they needed.

So why not start with a story? I encourage you to share a memory, an embarrassing mistake, or a small or big win. You’ll be surprised by how your words, your truth, and your heart can connect with readers.

And spoiler alert: that’s what they really want.

The Practical Side of Blogging in the Empty Nest Years

Logistically speaking, you finally have plenty of time (well, mostly) and a little newfound freedom to match. So why not use this season to build something that’s both fulfilling and flexible?

Here’s why blogging is a great way to invest your time and energy right now:

• You set the schedule. No more time constraints from extracurricular activities or dorm room move-ins. You can write at sunrise or after dinner—your blog waits patiently.
• You already have the wisdom and material. From parenting years to daily life, your life transitions hold content gold. It’s just waiting to be written.
• Learn as you go, I say. Don’t worry if tech isn’t your thing. One small step at a time will take you further than you think (and Simply Sunni is here to help you get there).
• Control your pace, your way. Start with one post a month or dive in weekly. It’s your platform, your message, your rhythm.

Need a little help? Our Simply Courses walk you through starting a blog from scratch, even if you’ve never touched WordPress in your life. We’ve got lessons, community, and encouragement at every stage. Plus, my book Sprinkle it with Sunshine shares more of my story and insights to help you walk in faith and purpose while building something beautiful.

This is the next chapter, friend. One with your name on it, your voice leading it, and your wisdom at the center of it all.

You Have Something to Say. Why Not Start Sharing It

My friend, you’ve lived a lot of life. If you are like me, you’ve raised kids, managed sports activities and AP courses, handled hard times, and held your family together with prayer and chicken nuggets. And through it all, you’ve gained something so many people crave today: real-life wisdom.

That wisdom? It matters.

And blogging gives you the chance to pass it on, to encourage a young parent, support another single mother, or remind a college student’s mom that she’s not alone in the quiet of her new stage. You’d be amazed how many people are searching for stories like yours. And here is the best part. Your story doesn’t need to be polished to perfection. Instead, it should be your authentic voice offering comfort, perspective, and a little humor along the way.

So think about your passions, life experiences, or even the lessons you’re still learning. Then start writing. Start with a memory. A tip. A prayer. A mistake you learned from. Or just start with, “Hey, this is me.”

Because someone needs your words, especially in this new season.

How to Start (Even If You Don’t Feel Tech-Savvy)

If the idea of starting a blog makes your eyes cross a little, you’re not alone. The empty nest transition already feels big, adding tech on top of it? Whew.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a tech expert to start a meaningful blog. I wasn’t. I was just a woman with a laptop, a quiet house, and a message on my heart. (And maybe a few chocolate chips in my trail mix for moral support.)

Start with one small step:

• Choose a simple platform like WordPress.com, which is perfect for beginners.
• Think about what topics light you up—life changes, spiritual growth, family life, or healthy coping skills.
• Set aside a little quiet time once a week to write. That’s it.

Need more help? I’ve created an entire set of beginner-friendly blogging courses inside the Simply Sunni Community, including video tutorials and printable checklists that walk you through it, one click at a time.

Let your first step be imperfect, but brave.

Blogging as a Healing and Purpose-Filled Practice

When your last child leaves home, it’s not just the rooms that feel empty. Rather, it’s the routines, the noise, the sense of purpose that came from being needed in countless little ways.

Fortunately, blogging can help refill that space, not with noise, but with meaning.

1| Writing As Emotional Support

Calm’s blog notes that “the four possible phases of empty nest syndrome—denial, anger and sadness, acceptance, and finally, a renewed perspective” are very real, and finding tools to navigate those feelings is key. –Calm.

Blogging offers a soft, compassionate outlet for reflection and healing. It becomes a personal journal, a place to trace your journey from grief to new growth, one post at a time.

2| Blog Therapy: Expressive Writing Benefits

You may have heard of writing therapy; studies show it actually improves both physical and emotional health. Pouring out your thoughts on paper (or screen) can help:

• Clarify heavy emotions
• Lighten mental burdens
• Boost motivation and mood

Taking those feelings out of your mind and onto the page has incredible value, not just for readers but for your own wellness.

3| Finding Soul in the Small Stuff

Every snapshot of your life—old photos, soccer uniforms, late-night chats—holds meaning. Blogging lets you find depth in the everyday:

• Sharing a funny story from the daily life of motherhood can spark joy in someone else.
• Documenting a newfound freedom, like learning a new language or restarting a book club, reminds you how alive you still are.
• Reflecting on spiritual growth moments from Sprinkle it with Sunshine encourages you—and readers—to keep walking in faith.

4| Building Community and Connection

Feeling less alone is a powerful byproduct of blogging. Your posts can become a gentle support group. You might:

• Hear from moms in a similar situation.
• Connect with young parents looking for perspective.
• Encourage other single mothers facing quiet homes and big emotions.

That sense of community becomes a two-way gift; you give hope, and you receive it back.

5| Cultivating a Creative Habit

Blogging offers creativity, expression, and so much more:

• A creative outlet that aligns with your personal goals
• A space to document the new beginnings and stories still unfolding
• A way to build mental and spiritual resilience via an uplifting, purposeful daily habit

My Suggestion For a Quick Practice To Try This Week

Grab a journal or open a new blog draft. Choose one of these prompts:

• Describe how it felt the day your youngest left for college (or the Army, in my case), what emotions washed over you?
• Share a piece of advice you wish someone had given you during the quiet mornings that followed.
• Write about one small thing you’ve rediscovered about yourself since the nest went quiet.

Write for just 10 minutes. Then, close your eyes, reflect on how it feels, and notice the shift. Then, if you want, turn it into your first blog post!

And remember, blogging isn’t just a hobby; it’s medicine for the heart and a stage for your voice. It’s a path where your story, purpose, and passion meet again in this wonderful next chapter.

Let This New Chapter Shine

If your empty nest feels too quiet, uncertain, or just too different, know this: you are not alone and are not done. It is all in how you look at it. The truth is, your life is not winding down. It’s repositioning for a wholly different purpose.

And this blogging gig? It just might be your water, fertile soil, and sunshine.

Whether you’re feeling a little lost, a little free, or a little of both (most of us are!), this is your moment to step forward with heart.

Know that your voice, your experiences, and your dreams matter now more than ever. Blogging can be your creative therapy, way of processing change, and gift to the world.

When I started, I didn’t know how cleansing it would be or how it would lead to Simply Sunni, books like Sprinkle it with Sunshine, and a community of strong, creative women like you.

What’s the Next Step, Empty Nester?

If your heart is nudging you to begin, I have something just for you:

Grab your copy of Sprinkle it with Sunshine, filled with laughter, tears, and truth from this very journey.

Start learning with Simply Courses, beginner-friendly and created with love for women stepping into blogging for the first time.

Need encouragement? Come say hello in our Community for Beginner Bloggers, or message me anytime. This new beginning doesn’t have to be walked alone.

So take a deep breath, open that laptop, and begin.

You’ve still got stories to tell, and this might be the most meaningful one yet.

And as always…

Sprinkle it with Sunshine.