In this episode, I sat down with my friend and luxury real estate expert Maile Mock to dive deep into the emotional journey of empty nesting - but with a powerful reframe. Instead of viewing it as an "empty nest," we explored the concept of becoming "free birds" and embracing this next chapter of life with excitement and possibility. Maile and I got real about why having our kids leave feels like losing a limb (because it kind of is!) and how the transition evolves from those raw early days of missing them desperately to finding a new rhythm and reconnecting with ourselves. The beauty of my conversation with Maile is that we're both in it right now!
We also tackled the practical side of empty nesting, particularly around housing decisions and partnerships. Through Maile's expertise in real estate, we discussed how couples can navigate different visions for their next chapter - whether that's downsizing, moving to the city, or finding that perfect lock-and-leave property that supports a more adventurous lifestyle. I loved exploring how we Gen Xers are rewriting the rules of midlife, with most of us viewing this as a time to start new ventures rather than winding down into traditional retirement. The key takeaway? It's time to give ourselves permission to dream big and explore possibilities we might have put on hold while raising our families. As Maile perfectly summed up - 50 is the new 30, and we have so much life ahead of us to create, grow, and embrace our free bird status.
Key Takeaways:
1. Empty Nesting is Hard - And That's OK
2. The Free Bird Mindset is Game-Changing
3. Dream Big But Try Before You Buy
4. 50 is the New 30 - Forget Traditional Retirement
5. Permission to Put Yourself First
Maile Says: You’re Not Too F***ing Old! to go for it!
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