One of my telephone consultation clients, Maria, said it for all of us, “I have no idea what I want and I am really tired.”

First we addressed the tiredness because caring for our precious body that we lug around is top priority. We chatted about how she starts her day, what she is doing around three o\’clock and how does she end her evening?

From the evaluation of a day in the life, she chose what would be possible for her to shift.

Ok, you are curious and want to know what she chose. She set her timer to get up from her work desk and walk around. In the evening, she walked the neighborhood before dinner with a snack in hand and no iPod. She buys good water so she will drink it.

Now to What\’s Next?

Sit. Close your eyes. Two deep tummy-out breaths. Answer the question… what did you like to do after school when you were younger? What popped into my image was I saw myself playing the piano by the window in our living room of West Virginia. What popped into your image or thoughts? Begin there. We have clues of what we enjoy by visiting what we did before college, work, marriage, and children. Go take a memory visit on your road of rediscovery. Write down what pops up.

You can do this closed eyes practice or shift the practice and think about it during your evening. Practice for a week and keep notes for yourself. There will be clues of what\’s next for you.

What treats do you buy yourself? Which magazines, books, foods, clothes, cosmetics, videos, etc. do you purchase? What are they telling you about what interests you, without judgment? Maybe you like those Hollywood gossip magazines or you like sugar. Write it down. Maybe you watch Sesame Street once in awhile for old time sake or you like a soap opera or bloody TV show. Are you a vampire?

What is something you do every day that you like? There is usually a hint there. We do something because it makes us feel good. That could be your work. Is it time on the computer, being outside, TV, cooking, gardening, biking, chatting on the phone, research, writing, sewing, painting,etc?

You are putting yourself in the focus of your day and evening. This is how you begin to chart your map. Put the focus on you by writing it down. Doodle along the way. Have fun with this exploration.

What did you discover that you knew or didn\’t know?

Share it.
Email natalie@emptynestsupport.com
Natalie Caine

Empty Nest Support Services
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
On the web www.emptynestsupport.com

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Natalie Caine Founder of Empty Nest Support Services

Natalie Caine is the founder of Empty Nest Support Services. When her daughter was a senior in high school, she realized that as a soon-to-be “empty nester,” she would be undergoing a major life shift. Not wanting to confront this transition alone nor have her many friends face this abyss without strong support, she created a support services group, which quickly grew into a new career and an exciting full-time business.