Every stage of life comes with an emotional rollercoaster that we deal with regularly. The stage when your kids move out and start leading a separate life is one of them and, indeed, can be pretty challenging. At the same time, you may experience relief, loneliness, happiness, and sadness. Parents often worry about their kids flying out of their nest but also feel relieved they don’t have as many responsibilities and can enjoy life in another way. Cleaning your home after the kids move out is not only the act of physical cleanse but also spiritual. Read the tips on cleaning out your empty nest and begin this new chapter in life. Give yourself plenty of time to clean out your empty nest. Before you start with your home, be sure to deal with yourself first. The feelings we mentioned before will not go away with the click of a finger. Give yourself some time and feel everything you’re struggling with eventually ease up. The empty nest syndrome is accurate; don’t fight against it. Let yourself feel those feelings, so you can continue to the next step – sorting out your new home and life and seeing your full potential. Declutter first To be able to clean out your empty nest, consider purging and decluttering your household first by using criteria from the Clutter Remedy Expert, Marla Stone. “Will you use it, does it serve a purpose, is it sentimental, and do you love it.” This process can last a while, so give yourself enough time and space to complete it within a reasonable amount of time. Do the entire home room by room, so you can be more efficient and not get too tired. Remember that it’s both a physical and mental process, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. To get uber-organized, it will be a good idea to go through every part of your home and divide items into broad categories and then go through the piles to identify: Items you want to keep and the things your kids will enjoy when they visit periodically. Things your kids want to keep, such as memories and old childhood items. Ask your children if they’re going to want you to save and store them. When you don’t have room for those items, discuss what to do with those sentimental items. Items you no longer want in bulk, such as beach towels, bedding, and similar pieces, pile up over the years. It is a perfect moment to reduce their number and keep the articles you use Unused clutter–gifts you never gave away, broken items, excess items that don’t meet the criteria. It’s about decluttering your home from things that make it look messy: old magazines, non-important paperwork, and piled-up mail. Items to sell or donate–dated and old clothes and other items in good condition can be sold or donated. Look for local charity services for donations – they happily receive goods for different populations that will use them. When it comes to selling, online sales are the most efficient way to sell certain items from your home. Deep-clean your new cleared-out space. It’s now an excellent time to deep-clean your house. With not so many things in your way, this task will be easier and faster. After removing excess items, you will have a more spacious home. However, if you feel unmotivated and have no time or energy to do it, getting professional cleaning services to make your home shine for this new chapter in life is wise. Figure out what to do with the free space With more free space in your home, rethink your lifestyle desires and figure out what to do with the luxury of rooms with free cabinets and closets. You can use spaces for different purposes, and here are some great ideas: Build a home gym to stay in shape without leaving your home Create a crafting room, or adapt the space to a hobby you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have time or space for Furnish a guest room or a playroom when your grandkids come to visit and enjoy being grandparents Make a cozy reading nook, a sanctuary within your home where you’ll feel peaceful and relaxed Think about everything you’ve wanted to do with your home and never had a chance. Now it’s time to adapt the house according to your dreams and wishes and enjoy your new space to the fullest. Consider your preferences and careful planning to ensure the changes you want will be exciting and that you can truly benefit from them. Downsizing Some parents decide to downsize after their kids move out. It’s a fantastic decision if you have a big home that has become a burden in terms of costs and maintenance. Selling your home and getting a smaller one will ensure you have more time for yourself. Also, a smaller home is cheaper to take care of, providing you more money to travel or do hobbies you’ve always wanted. Preparing for downsizing includes a couple of steps. Firstly, you want to clear out the space and remove the items that won’t fit in the new house. Decluttering before the move is an important step here, too, so be sure to begin the process on time. Also, packing for a move can take a lot of time and energy. Professional moving services are the correct choice, as you can get help with both packing and transport. Enjoy your empty nest. Finally, prepare yourself for this fantastic point in life. Now that kids are all grown up and independent, it’s time to focus on yourself. Think and plan what you want, or talk to your partner and decide what would be your next focus in life. A little hint – enjoy as much as you can. Seek some new opportunities, hobbies, and people, keep in touch with old friends and enjoy life. Now that you have cleaned out your empty nest, it’s time to fall in love with it again.
