Why Trying New Things in Your Empty Nest Years Might Be the Best Adventure Yet

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So, your nest is empty. The kids are off living their lives, and suddenly… it’s quiet. Maybe a little too quiet. You look around and wonder, Now what?

If that’s you, you’re not alone! The Empty Nest years can feel like a blank canvas—equal parts exciting and intimidating. But here’s the secret: they’re actually one of the most powerful times in your life to rediscover yourself, deepen your faith, and try new things.

I know, because I’ve been there. And wow, has it been an adventure!

The Question that Started it All

When my nest first emptied, I found myself asking:

What will I do?
Where will I go?
Who will I be in this brand-new golden season of life?
And most importantly, what does God want me to pursue with this abundance of time ahead?

I’d already lived a wonderfully varied career—14 years as a high-end residential Interior Designer, followed by 20 years as a professional speaker and writer. I’d met fascinating people, traveled the country, and loved every minute. But now it was time for something new.

So, I jumped in with both feet.

My Season of Trying

I tried a lot of things. Some worked beautifully; some… not so much. But each experience taught me something valuable about who I am today.

Here’s a little peek at what I explored:

✈️ Becoming a flight attendant
🏓 Playing (and attempting to go pro!) in pickleball
🎤 Speaking on cruise ships
🎨 Becoming a painter and visual artist

Did I do all of those things forever? No way! But each one opened a new door—and helped me see where God was gently guiding me next.

5 Joyful Ways to Reimagine Your Empty Nest

Whether you’re just entering this new chapter or knee-deep in figuring it out, here are my five favorite tips for creating a fun, purpose-filled next act.

1. Make Your Big, Beautiful List

Grab a notebook (or your favorite pretty journal) and write down everything that lights you up.

Think about:

What did you love doing as a child?
What school subjects came easily?
What vacations made you happiest?
If time and money weren’t an issue, what would you do just for fun?
Is there a secret dream you’ve tucked away for years?

Go wild—the crazier, the better. You’re brainstorming inspiration here, not commitment.

2. Pick Your Top Five and Research Like a Pro

Once you’ve got your list, circle your top five ideas and dive in.

I always say my favorite research assistant is Chatty (you might know her as ChatGPT!). Listen to podcasts, explore YouTube, and—most importantly—talk to people.

When I first fell in love with pickleball on a cruise ship back in 2019, I came home and immediately found lessons, courts, and a community. One small step led to another, and before I knew it, I was taking private lessons and writing pickleball devotionals!

And sometimes inspiration strikes in the most unexpected places—like my hairstylist’s chair! When she mentioned she became a Southwest flight attendant at 50, a spark lit up inside me. That one conversation changed everything.

3. Choose One and Just Start

After that conversation, I knew I wanted to try becoming a flight attendant again. Yes, again! I’d applied for American Airlines when I was 21 but got turned down for being five pounds over their 1985 weight limit (true story!).

So, I tried again. This time, I got in. Training was intense—full of safety drills, exams, and confidence tests—but I made it through. I was proud, exhausted, and ready for takeoff… or so I thought.

4. Evaluate Honestly

Once you start something new, give it a little time, then ask yourself:

Do I love this?
Is it a good fit for who I am today?
Does it bring me joy or drain me?

That flight attendant job? It turned out not to be the dream I’d hoped for. My airline was full of twenty-somethings (adorable, but not exactly my people), I was based in Chicago (hello, constant travel stress!), and there were so many rules I was always afraid of breaking one.

Within weeks, I knew: this wasn’t it. And that’s okay.

5. Adjust, Let Go, and Move Forward

Here’s the best part about being 60: you don’t need to force yourself to fit into something that doesn’t feel right. You’ve earned the freedom to pivot—without shame.

When I realized being a flight attendant wasn’t for me, I gracefully bowed out. Next came my “pickleball pro” chapter. Let’s just say… that one didn’t quite fit either (turns out my strength is writing about pickleball, not winning tournaments!).

So, I wrote a Pickleball Devotional and a Pickleball Word Search Book instead.

Then came cruise ship speaking — a perfect blend of my two favorite things: travel and storytelling! I loved it, but after one 10-day cruise, I realized I’d rather spend my creative energy painting than prepping speeches.

So now? I’m painting my heart out, and I’ve never felt more alive.

The Real Joy of Trying New Things

That’s the beautiful thing about this stage of life—you can experiment, explore, and evolve without fear of “failure.” Every new thing you try brings you closer to what truly lights you up.

When you open yourself to possibility, you also open yourself to joy.

You might discover:

A new passion that keeps you energized
A deeper connection with God’s purpose for you
A whole new circle of friends and experiences

And here’s the secret—when you’re doing what brings you joy, you glorify God. He made us to live fully, with curiosity and delight.

So go ahead—take that class, book that trip, learn that skill, or paint that first canvas. You never know what door He’s waiting to open until you knock.

Final Thought

Your Empty Nest isn’t an ending. It’s an invitation.

An invitation to rediscover who you are, to play again, and to live this season with purpose and joy.

Because the truth is—at 60, 70, or 80—it’s never too late to try something new.

New to The Best-Life Project?

Please read these foundational posts:

Best Life Dream Story

Best-Life Definition