I’ll NEVER forget the weeks before dropping my daughter off at college. It was four years ago, but in some ways feels like yesterday.
I kept myself busy with the endless TO DO lists, numerous trips to Target, BB&B and the Container Store. We loaded up on bedding, school supplies and room decorations. I snuck in a few snacks, (Goldfish and M&Ms for her to find later.)
She was so excited! This was her first step towards adulthood, towards freedom and independence. She was literally bouncing off the walls & couldn’t wait to spread her wings.
Me – not so much. My heart felt heavy; I had a permanent lump in my throat. I did my best to put on a brave face, but anyone who knew me knew I was barely holding it together.
The well-meaning, “What are you going to do NOW?” didn’t help.
I actually broke down a few times – but felt I had to quickly wipe my tears away & laugh about it…
So my sob sessions were saved for the shower.
I know now I was grieving – I guess then I was a little clueless about what was actually going on. But I was grieving the end of the chapter as a 24 hour /under the same roof family.
Lots of friends and sisters-in-law reminded me that countless mothers were going through the exact same thing as me & I wasn’t alone.
I knew this intellectually. But it just felt BIGGER for me.
Maybe because I only had one child and my whole world had revolved around her for the last 18 years.
My reason for getting up in the morning was living in another state, and I had to figure out my NEW reason to get up in the morning!
It took me a minute to wrap my head around what to do next…
Actually, let’s be honest. It took more than a minute – and that’s ok
I eventually found Martha Beck’s WayFinder life coach school in 2017. It was the perfect life-line.
It gave structure to my days, weekly calls, homework, videos to watch and books to read – I loved it. And it was the first time I did something just for ME.
I loved having a NEW reason to get up in the morning. It felt EMPOWERING! I was learning, growing and also helping other moms – I finally felt PURPOSEFUL again.
By 2019, I’d been writing, speaking, traveling, going to Women’s Empowerment conferences and loving my new life – but something was missing.
I realized that my experience as an empty-nest mom, and my life-coach skills were being wasted if I didn’t share them with people who need them – to make their own “Empty Nest” into a “Happy Nest” – more easily.
So after much soul-searching, I officially launched AllieHillCoaching, focused on helping Empty-Nest Moms navigate the next chapter in their lives – and create a life they love!
It’s my great pleasure and honor to be in a community with thousands of empty-nest moms around the world.
We’re all in different places in our journey – but that’s the beauty of it.
We learn from each other. I love helping my clients see that life after raising their kids can actually be the BEST season of all!
I am so happy you’re with me.
Xo Allie
