For years, your calendar revolved around school schedules, sports practices, doctor appointments, family dinners, and making sure everyone else had what they needed.
Then one day, it changes.
Maybe your oldest heads off to college. Maybe your youngest gets their driver’s license. Maybe your children have all moved out.
Everyone tells you, “Enjoy the freedom!”
But instead of excitement, you feel…lost.
If you’ve ever wondered, Who am I now that my kids don’t need me in the same way? you’re not alone.
On this episode of the Secrets of Supermom Show, I sat down with entrepreneur, coach, and author Cindee Williams to talk about the emotional transition into the empty nest season. While every mom’s experience looks different, one thing became clear throughout our conversation:
The empty nest isn’t the end of your purpose—it’s the beginning of discovering a new one.
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Rather read? Check out the show notes and episode content right here!
Show Notes: The Empty Nest Is More Emotional Than Most People Admit
Hey, hey friend! Welcome to Episode #305 of The Secrets of Supermom Show!
Many moms expect to miss their children.
What they don’t expect is questioning themselves.
After years of putting everyone else’s needs first, the silence can feel unsettling.
Instead of thinking about what you want, you’re suddenly asking yourself questions like:
- What do I enjoy?
- What am I good at?
- What do I want this next season to look like?
- Who am I outside of being “Mom”?
Cindee shared that after dropping off her youngest child at college, she realized she had spent decades investing in her family—but very little time investing in herself. She wasn’t grieving that her children were thriving. She was realizing she didn’t know what came next for her.
If that sounds familiar, give yourself grace.
This transition is real.
Resist the Urge to Fill Every Empty Space
One of the biggest misconceptions about the empty nest is that you should immediately fill your calendar with hobbies, trips, volunteer work, or new commitments.
But Cindee offers a different perspective.
Instead of rushing to stay busy, she encourages women to pause first.
Create space.
Reflect.
Ask yourself what you truly want before automatically saying yes to more activities. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give yourself is simply allowing room to think.
As busy moms, we’re conditioned to believe every open hour should be filled.
But white space isn’t wasted space.
Often, it’s where clarity begins.
Let Go of “Different, Better, More”
Perhaps the most powerful part of our conversation was when Cindee described what she calls the “eddy of different, better, and more.”
As moms look back on their parenting years, many begin replaying old memories.
“I should have been more patient.”
“I should have spent more time with them.”
“I wish I had handled that differently.”
Sound familiar?
Mom guilt doesn’t disappear once your kids become adults.
In some ways, it changes forms.
The problem is that living in regret keeps you stuck.
As Maya Angelou famously said:
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
You can’t change yesterday.
But you can choose how you show up today.
Whether your children are toddlers or adults, it’s never too late to become the mom—and the woman—you want to be.
Fear Doesn’t Mean Stop
Maybe you’ve been dreaming about writing a book.
Starting a business.
Taking a class.
Changing careers.
Volunteering.
Launching a passion project.
Yet every time you think about it, fear whispers:
“Who do you think you are?”
Cindee reminded us that fear is something every single person experiences.
The goal isn’t eliminating fear.
It’s learning how to move anyway.
She shared an acronym that’s worth remembering:
F – Face it. Acknowledge what you’re afraid of.
E – Evaluate it. Is the fear based on reality or assumptions?
A – Act. Take one small step forward.
R – Relax. Don’t let fear sit in the driver’s seat.
Progress almost never comes from waiting until you feel completely confident.
Confidence usually comes after taking action.
It’s Never Too Late to Start Something New
One myth that keeps far too many women stuck is believing they’re “too old.”
Too old to start a business.
Too old to write a book.
Too old to pursue a dream.
Cindee couldn’t disagree more.
In fact, she believes our later years are often our wisdom years.
Every success.
Every failure.
Every lesson.
Every challenge.
They all prepare us to serve others in a deeper way.
Instead of seeing your age as a limitation, consider viewing it as one of your greatest strengths.
You aren’t starting from scratch.
You’re starting with decades of experience.
About Our Guest: Cindee Williams
Cindee Williams is a family business owner with over 35 years of experience across multiple industries, a faith-driven life and leadership coach, speaker, and author of This Season of You. She is passionate about helping women step out of the ordinary and into a life of purpose, confidence, and impact.
Through her coaching programs and community, Cindee equips women—especially in midlife—to rediscover who they are, strengthen their faith, and take bold, intentional steps toward the life they truly desire.
Beyond her work, Cindee has been happily married for 35 years, a mom of 2- twenty something kids, and adventure-lover who believes life is meant to be fully lived and celebrated. Whether she’s hiking, biking, or creating meaningful moments with her family, she brings that same passion for living with purpose into everything she does.
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About the Host: Lori Oberbroeckling
Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling is a mom of four, corporate leader, podcaster, productivity expert, and author of the book Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can Too!
She is passionate about helping parents who want fulfilling careers–or side hustles or passion projects–while also wanting to feel present and connected to their families.
