Many couples experience a mix of emotions when their kids grow up and move out of the house. On one hand, it is sad to see your little babies go off on their own. On the other hand, you are now officially empty nesters, and you have the freedom to truly enjoy your later years while still getting the relaxation that you deserve. Here at Austin Bike Tours and Rentals, we love to see people living happily in all stages of life, so we have some ideas that you can try to enjoy life as an empty nester.
Travel Around the Country and Abroad
With your newfound freedom, consider traveling to another state or even country. If you want to be spontaneous, then think about picking a random country on the map and making an adventure out of it. The act of traveling is very healthy for older adults because it is a chance to get out, breathe some fresh air and get exercise as you walk about, and it is always amazing to learn about new cultures.
Wherever you go, find fun and new ways to explore the city and countryside. Renting a bike or even joining a bike tour can be a fun way to stay active and see new areas at a more leisurely pace than from a car or tour bus. If you find yourself in Austin, Texas, definitely book a tour with Austin Bike Tours and Rentals!
Declutter Your Home
Although your kids have left the house, their belongings may still be around. If they give you the approval, then consider going room by room and removing the items they no longer want. While you do, you can also take this chance to arrange the rooms to make them exactly how you like them. You may not think that cleaning is a fun activity, but in reality, decluttering is a great way to improve your mental health because when our home is cluttered, subconsciously, we also feel like we are also losing control of our life.
If paper is a big clutter culprit in your home, create a quick system to review it and choose to either recycle, process, or store it. Invest in a small scanner or scanning app so that you can quickly digitize any document that you need to keep. You can even use a free online tool to convert Word files to PDFs to make it even easier to keep your files organized. Click for more information about how to easily change file types and even combine files to avoid paper clutter in your home.
Start a Business as an LLC
Now that your family is out of the house, you may have more time on your hands. If you want to keep busy and bring in some extra money, then consider starting a side business. You don’t have to work full-time. Instead, you could start a company where you work when you want to by doing smaller projects like web design or freelance writing.
When you form your company, consider creating a limited liability corporation. An LLC is good for part-time business owners because it allows you a lot more flexibility because there is a lot less paperwork to deal with. Plus, there are benefits come tax time that can save you money. When you do for your company, consider using a formation service, and they will ensure that you stay compliant with state guidelines.
Get an Online Degree and Learn a New Career
If you are looking for more from your career, then this is also a great time to mix things up and return to school to get your degree. Since the kids are out of the house, you will be able to focus on your studies, and if you attend an online school, you can take your classes around your work schedule. If you are unsure of what you should learn, consider going for a degree in business. There are many subjects to learn in the field of business, from accounting to management, and you can use your new knowledge to excel in your career.
Consider Volunteering in Your Free Time
If you are looking for ways to fill your days, then you should definitely consider volunteering at a local organization. There are many different places where you can spend your time, from soup kitchens to donation centers like the Salvation Army. These are great places to spend your time because you will get a variety of tasks to keep you busy, and you will know that you are doing a good deed. This is another place where you should talk with your coworkers. It is great to meet people that you know are as good-natured as you are.
Do the Things that Make You Happy
As you can see, there are several ways that you can spend your time once you become an empty nester. Consider traveling, starting your own business, or going back to school online. The goal is to do things that make you happy and feel fulfilled in your later years. So find those things and go do them!