Reflecting on a Year of Growth

A year ago, I was mentally preparing for my empty nest, counting down the days until my daughter would leave for college on the other side of the world. Looking back now, I realize just how BIG that moment was. She flew from Japan to New York alone, starting the most significant chapter of her life without me. And she did it! We both navigated this biggest transition, miles apart across different continents—but together in spirit.

2024 Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan

Finding My Ikigai: The Starting Point 🖊📚💻

I began this blog to document my journey into empty nesting while searching for my ikigai. For those unfamiliar, ikigai is about finding your purpose by discovering what you love, what you're good at, how you can make a difference, and how you can turn that into a livelihood.

Thankfully, I had my hobbies, friends, a fulfilling career, and the beautiful, safe country of Japan to keep me grounded. Over the past year, I’ve endeavored to capture my experiences, and unexpectedly, my ikigai revealed itself early on.

Following My Passion This Summer 🌎 🛫

This summer, I followed my ikigai wholeheartedly, diving into new pursuits and the beginning of Wanderlust-travel LLC and curating artisan adventures in Mexico. But knowing your ikigai and actually achieving it are two different things. The logistics can be overwhelming. Still, I’m breaking down the steps, one by one, slowly finding my way.

This is me in the middle of Mexico, after 3 weeks of traveling.

Balancing Ambition and Daily Life

Building a presence on social media, creating content, designing itineraries, drafting a business plan—it's a lot to handle, especially while working full-time. But I’ve learned a valuable lesson:

Just because my nest is empty doesn’t mean my life is.

There’s enough time—I just need to incorporate it into my daily routine.

I won’t lie; some days I come home and just want to curl up on the couch, listen to an audiobook, or stalk my daughters on social media to see what they’re up to. However, most days, I have a plan.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Reflecting on these past months, I feel proud of how far I’ve come. Sharing my story has been a cathartic journey, and though I still have a ways to go, I’m incredibly excited about what lies ahead. The possibilities feel endless—so long as I keep the motivation and energy alive.

Encouragement and Inspiration 🩷

When I share my story and my progress, I see the smiles. And I can't help but think: I’m not crazy. People aren’t laughing or dismissing me. I can do this, and I will turn my dreams into reality.

During my time in Mexico, I met inspiring people who told me they saw my excitement and believed I was on the right path. Their encouragement fuels my confidence.

Maria staying behind on the East coast, while I head back to Japan. 2025

Here’s to the Next Chapter 🥂

So here’s to embracing the next chapter—full of hope, purpose, and endless possibilities.

📣Calling All Empty Nesters!

If you’re navigating this next phase of life, I want to hear from you. Let’s support each other, share stories, and inspire one another to find new passions and purpose. You’re not alone in this journey!

Feel free to leave a comment below, share your own experiences, or reach out through social media. Let’s build a community of strong, motivated, and inspired empty nesters ready to embrace this exciting new chapter.

You’ve got this—and I’m cheering for you!