Natalie says: I am the mother of two grown children and three grandchildren. I have been divorced for several years and am just now suffering from empty-nest syndrome. I feel very alone and my world seems empty. Maybe it's the stress after the divorce or maybe it's the fear as I get older of being alone. It seems my every thought is about finances and how I will make it from one day to the next. That keeps a dark cloud over my head. I'm not sure if I'm suffering from the nest being empty or if it just seems that everything that ever mattered to me has disappeared. I have friends, but it seems they only remember me when they want something. And no, this isn't a pity party. It's the facts. My children are always busy and my grandchildren are involved with friends or activities to the point I rarely see any of them. I've always been one to pick myself up and carry on, but I can't seem to do that now. I want more out of life! I want to start over and have a life worth living before my life is over. I probably sound pathetic, but I really was once a woman full of life!
Dear Natalie: I can understand your feelings. You once had a full household and a full life. Little by little, everything seemed to disappear. Add in the stress of divorce and financial worries and no wonder you are feeling as you do. I find it sad that your family doesn't see what you are going through and find the time to be with you. I'm sure they have a busy life, but there isn't any reason they could not include you in some way.
As far as your friends...sadly, people don't seem to place as much importance on building true friendships these days so you aren't alone there. Circulating yourself around new people with interests similar to yours will help broaden your opportunities.
I suggest you try your best to get involved in something whether joining a club, doing volunteer work or taking up a new hobby. I know, that sounds simplistic. But, getting involved in something new will help give you a boost to how you feel each day. Getting involved in something new will help you meet more people. Being so isolated makes your thoughts roam all over the place and usually to a place that isn't good.
Also, have you told your family how you feel? Have you told them you feel left out and would love to spend more time with them? This should be common sense, but sometimes you have to come right out and say how you feel.
I can't be sure, but something tells me, that after your divorce your self esteem took a nosedive. With the financial pressure, the divorce and your children all being grown, it's natural you feel a lot of stress and emptiness. That can mess with your self esteem in a bad way. Starting over after 40 or any age, is overwhelming and when you don't have the support you need, it's even worse.
Focus on your best qualities. Know that you are worthy and you deserve a fulfilling life.
The life you want is waiting for you. You need to find a new purpose, a reason to get up each day. It's about finding new beginnings. For everything that ends, there is a new beginning.
Dear Natalie: I can understand your feelings. You once had a full household and a full life. Little by little, everything seemed to disappear. Add in the stress of divorce and financial worries and no wonder you are feeling as you do. I find it sad that your family doesn't see what you are going through and find the time to be with you. I'm sure they have a busy life, but there isn't any reason they could not include you in some way.
As far as your friends...sadly, people don't seem to place as much importance on building true friendships these days so you aren't alone there. Circulating yourself around new people with interests similar to yours will help broaden your opportunities.
I suggest you try your best to get involved in something whether joining a club, doing volunteer work or taking up a new hobby. I know, that sounds simplistic. But, getting involved in something new will help give you a boost to how you feel each day. Getting involved in something new will help you meet more people. Being so isolated makes your thoughts roam all over the place and usually to a place that isn't good.
Also, have you told your family how you feel? Have you told them you feel left out and would love to spend more time with them? This should be common sense, but sometimes you have to come right out and say how you feel.
I can't be sure, but something tells me, that after your divorce your self esteem took a nosedive. With the financial pressure, the divorce and your children all being grown, it's natural you feel a lot of stress and emptiness. That can mess with your self esteem in a bad way. Starting over after 40 or any age, is overwhelming and when you don't have the support you need, it's even worse.
Focus on your best qualities. Know that you are worthy and you deserve a fulfilling life.
The life you want is waiting for you. You need to find a new purpose, a reason to get up each day. It's about finding new beginnings. For everything that ends, there is a new beginning.