She can’t afford a getaway this summer. Family vacation before he leaves for college isn’t happening. Tears are falling and it is summer. Here is what you could gather for yourself:
1. Healing energy of water. Walk by it. Step in it. Let it float you.
2. Shift things in your living room and bedroom. Make it feel different to you.
3. Get a box of pastels, colored pencils, paper, crayons, and doodle or draw.
4. New music to listen to at home.
5. Research a class you might take. Give it a try. You can change your mind.
6. Two new recipes for summer cooking.
7. Plan a small gathering for September, even one other person to be with, and mark the date.
8. De-clutter room by room with music playing to keep you going. Toss, donate, and keep. Let yourself LET GO.
9. Do you want a dart board?
10. Ask a neighbor if they want to walk, even if you don’t know them well. Not a regular time, just ask for one walk time and see how it goes.
11. Eat outside.
12. Look at the moon before you go to sleep.
13. Write thank you notes to anyone who comes to mind… THANK YOU FOR….
14. Buy a new…..
15. Mark play time on your weekly calendar and go play.
16. Empty your photos and leave the space open, empty for a new…
17. Plant something, even an herb. Oh ya, water it, duh…
18. If you are the leader and no one else is, then lead. Make a fun plan.
19. Explore a new part of your city in the early morning without traffic.
20. Ask for time together and talk about what would be fun. Ask.
21. Plan a getaway after summer, even if for one evening.
22. Beauty in each room. What is beauty to you?
23. Ask for help about something, anything?
24. Eat dessert first, in the morning, before your routine day.
25. Write a love note.
26. Begin something, anything.
27. If “one window is closed, find one that is open”
28. Concerts in the park. You can handle the drive and crowd.
29. Do what you thought would be out of your comfort zone, one time.
30. What does your local college offer for a day of fun?
Pick something fun to do before summer ends. One friend of mine wants to swing in a hammock. Another is going to visit a niece. Another explored the city online that her daughter will be studying abroad. She got a big jar and is dropping in money, hoping to see her daughter in that foreign city.
A dad made a list of what he won’t do that could bug his son and is giving it to him in a new wallet, yes and adding some $. One family is going to drive to a drive-in with homemade goodies in the car.
A single mom made a trade for a handy person to help her out and she will cook a take home meal. A woman is keeping a summer journal. Another woman is making no plans and wants to be spontaneous on the weekends.
What would you like to gather?
Take care,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Empty Nest Support Services
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
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