Walking past my children’s bedrooms can be hard at times. I just want to reach for the past and hold on, close that door, leave everything as they left it so I can relive it. There comes a time when each one of us as empty nesters comes to the realization that we are standing between two seasons of life. We need to change our home to an empty nest home.
No more running around in the morning trying to find the misplaced backpack or homework. The last minute breakfast grab. The daily chaos is gone.
Yet the memories remain.
If you’re struggling with what to keep , what to let go of, and how to transforming your home without feeling like your erasing your children’s presence, you’re not alone. One of the big misconceptions about creating an empty nest home is that you need to get rid of everything. The truth is you can honor your memories while making room for your next chapter.
Start with the Goal: Preserve Memories not Clutter
Every item in your home tells a story. Not every item needs to stay to preserve that story.
You know those boxes that is filled with artwork, trophies, school papers and childhood treasures that we hold onto because they represent special moments. The challenge comes when those boxes start taking up to much space in our current life.
Instead of asking “Should I keep it?”
Try asking “Does this item represent a moment that I really want to revisit?”
Keep the pieces that brings an instant smile, it’s ok to let go of that noodle necklace that’s probably attracting bugs. Choose which mementos you would like to keep. Give yourself permission to let some of it go. If it’s hard to decide what to keep and what to throw out take a picture of them and that way you will have it without it cluttering up your closet.
Create a Memory Collection
Instead of storing memories throughout the entire house, designate one place for them.
Consider:
By creating intentional boundries, you preserve what matters the most without allowing memorabilia take over your living space.
By doing this you are on your way to an empty nest home.
Turn Children’s Rooms into Multi Purpose Spaces
One of the hardest transitions is trying to figure out what to do with the extra rooms after they have moved out.
Remember changing the room does not erase the memories made there.
Consider creating:
Guest Room
Keep a few mementos and photos while making the space feel welcoming to visiting family.
Hobby Room
Use the room for crafting, sewing, reading painting or any other passion you have. What have you put on hold for lack of space or time. This can be the room for that.
Home Office
Create a productive workspace that feels your needs of today.
Flexible Retreat
A cozy sitting room, area for yoga, or creative studio for your social media videos.
I like to keep a few touches in each room from my children’s personality while letting the rooms evolve.
Maybe their favorite color, favorite toy of theirs or anything else that you think deserves a special place instead of inside of a box.
It’s ok to display some memories, just make room for your next chapter.
Visit my Amazon storefront for great ideas.
Ways to Display Mementos without Becoming Clutter
Bring those mementos into everday life.
Ideas include:
Framed Childhood Artwork
Gallery Wall of family photos
Favorite handwritten notes in an album
Shadow boxes
Shelf dedicated to family milestones
Displaying treasured items allows you to enjoy them instead of being stored in a box never to be seen again.
The next post I will be writing on is how to make your home reflect you not the children.
Thank you for being a part of our community
As we are each on a similar journey trying to find ourselves after children please leave ideas in the comment section that you would like to cover.
