Start Your Comeback
I'm Toni and a certified Life Coach. Is there a major life transition benching you? Let’s create a winning game plan to move into your new adventure.
Your life only seems to be over, however, there’s still time on the clock.
Let’s get you off the bench to start your comeback.
Start Your Comeback
The Empty Nest is Not the End of Your Story
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The sudden silence of an empty nest can feel deafening. After dedicating nearly two decades to raising children, organizing schedules, and building your life around their needs, that final graduation ceremony signals a profound identity shift that few discuss openly. But what if this transition isn't an ending but the beginning of your personal renaissance?
Drawing from my own journey through the double transition of becoming an empty nester while finalizing a divorce, I share how this initially lonely period transformed into a season of rediscovery and purpose. From small beginnings to my transformative 18-day solo camping adventure across six states, I reveal how stepping into the unknown—despite fear—rebuilt my sense of self and possibility. This wasn't about filling time; it was about reclaiming my soul.
The empty nest offers unique opportunities to reinvent relationships with adult children, build meaningful communities, and finally pursue those whispered dreams that waited patiently while you raised your family. Fear may have stopped you from living fully before, but resilience grows when we do the scary things anyway. Remember that you're not done, not shelved, and definitely not too old or too late. Your comeback doesn't require a perfect plan—just the courage to take that first step toward whatever makes you come alive. The quiet house isn't your final chapter; it's simply the middle of a much longer, beautiful story that's still being written. Ready to start your comeback? Let's build it together.
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Sound of You
Free audio post production by Alphoniccom podcast. I'm Toni Thrash, a certified life coach, and I want to share the tools and practical steps to help you create a winning game plan to move into your new adventure. Hi, welcome back. You're listening to episode 84. I'm so glad you're here.
Speaker 1:Let's start with this universal truth May is a beast period. It's worse than December, if you ask me. May is packed with finals, end-of-year ceremonies, graduation parties. May is packed with finals, end-of-year ceremonies, graduation parties, college tours and somewhere in there you're supposed to function like a normal adult. If you have a senior, you already know the checklist is long and the emotional rollercoaster is real.
Speaker 1:But for some of us, May doesn't just mark the end of school. It marks the end of a season, A season of raising your kids, chauffeuring them around, staying up late for projects we didn't assign but we definitely finished and building our lives around their schedule. Suddenly it's all done schedule. Suddenly it's all done. That last cap toss in the air. It's a signal. The nest is empty. Let me tell you something Empty nesting is not for the faint of heart.
Speaker 1:It's not just about a quiet house or fewer groceries to buy. It's an identity crosses in yoga pants. You've been a parent for 18 years or longer and whether you stayed home or worked full-time, your life revolved around that child or children. And now, silence, stillness, a freedom you didn't ask for and aren't quite sure how to use. I've talked a lot about this before, especially during the season when I became an empty nester and finalized my divorce Double whammy. That was the loneliest time of my life. But today I want to flip the script. Today I want to flip the script. I want to share what I learned and, more importantly, how I found passion, purpose and adventure. Let me say this loud and clear Don't you dare roll over and give up. I know it's tempting. The quiet settles in and the doubt creeps in. But hear me, as long as there's time left on the clock, you get to live your life to the fullest, Not halfway, not kinda, but full out. You see, when the kids left, I started trying new things, Very small things at first, because well, I was afraid, A class here, a trip there. But in the summer of 22, I did something that changed me. I packed up my camping gear and went on an 18-day camping trip across six states, solo, Just me, my tent, firewood and God. During the course of those 18 days, I hiked over 25 miles, I cooked on the fire, journaled by moonlight and rediscovered my own voice. That trip didn't just fill my time, it filled my soul. Now I'm still single, 11 years and counting, and no, I'm not against dating, but my life is full.
Speaker 1:I chose to use this season to pour into relationships that matter. I spend time with my adult kids who, by the way, are incredible humans. We laugh, we eat, we talk about life. I've learned to not parent them all the time Okay, well, most of the time. Let's not pretend I don't occasionally slip a little unsolicited advice in there. But the best part, we just enjoy one another.
Speaker 1:This season of empty nesting didn't destroy me. It refined me. I didn't go into a midlife crisis. I leaned into my midlife calling. I became a certified life coach and now I get to coach women and young adults through their own transitions. Listen, young adults are figuring out who they are, but women, they have to remember who they are and both need guidance. Both need examples. That's you. You see the young adults. They're watching how we handle things. They're watching how we walk through grief, how we treat others, how we recover from setbacks. Whether you realize it or not, your life is a testimony and I promise you someone is taking notes.
Speaker 1:Let me tell you another thing that changed my life, and that's community Friendships are vital. I'm not saying every day is packed with girls' nights and brunch dates, but I made an intentional decision to build connection. If you're sitting there thinking I don't have close friends anymore, let me lovingly challenge you. It's time to start over. I know, I know it's awkward, yes, it takes effort, but it's also the lifeline that keeps you out of the dark.
Speaker 1:And while we're getting real, let's talk about fear. You want to know what stopped me from living full out for too long Fear. You see, I'm a six on the Enneagram, which basically means I have a sixth sense for worst case scenarios. I don't like looking dumb, I don't like to try new things and I definitely don't like risk. I want to be safe and secure. But here's what I've learned Fear. Resilience is built by doing the scary thing anyway. That camping trip, Terrifying. The first coaching session I ever had, Sweaty palms, the first coaching session I ever had sweaty palms, Saying yes to a new adventure, not knowing how it would turn out, Absolutely pure panic. But I did it, scared, Over and over again, and every time I reminded myself that fear doesn't get to drive Not anymore. So let's cut to the chase.
Speaker 1:Empty nesting is not the end of your story, it's not even the end of the chapter. It's the middle of the race God has called you to. You're not done, You're not put on a shelf, and you are most definitely not too old, too late or too far gone. I want you to remember something God finds great joy in you. You still have purpose, you still have dreams, you still have impact to make that thing.
Speaker 1:You haven't told anyone about that idea that keeps whispering in your ear. It's time. So what do you do now? Well, you start your comeback. Don't wait for a perfect plan or for someone to come knock on your door with an opportunity. Be the one who knocks Afraid. Try something new, Afraid. Reconnect with your people. Take the trip, Sign up for the class, Write the book. Take the trip, Sign up for the class. Write the book, Start the business. Do the thing that makes you come alive.
Speaker 1:Listen, if this episode stirred something in you, if you felt seen, heard or maybe just understood, I want to invite you to take the next step Schedule a coaching call with me. The link is in the show notes. Let's talk about what your next move is. You don't have to figure this out alone. You're not stuck, You're not invisible and you are definitely not behind. You're just getting started. So go to TonyThrashcom or click the link in the show notes to book your free discovery call. Let's build your comeback together. Until next time, keep your head up, your heart open and your feet moving forward, because your next chapter it's calling. I'll get you off the bench to start your comeback. I want to give a special shout out to Country Club for the original music. You can find them on Instagram at Country Club free audio post production.
