Empty Nest Ikigai

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 ...

This year, as I chart my way into new waters,  in search of my ikigai , I decided to pursue my passion by finding like-minded friends and  start a craft club for adults.   My goal  was to find people who are open to learning and/or sharing creative outlets.    I truly believe we all have a creative side that needs an outlet. I've explored mine throughout my life in different ways: teaching, hosting my daughters' friends for different projects, and of course my own creative pursuits. Hosting craft nights for my daughters and their friends is a cherished memory.  Now, my daughters have their own craft nights with friends. When they send me pictures it makes my heart happy and it makes me wonder, do we ever really outgrow crafting with friends? The answer is NO! When I ask people if they have hobbies they always say no or they are quick to say they aren't creative. But what I have discovered is we are all creative in our own wa y. I think the t...

        I made it to the halfway point of my first year of Empty Nesting, and guess what, it flew by, so fast that it snuck up on me. I have been so busy with work and all my personal pursuits that it's time to clean up Maria's room and prepare for her return. It is crazy how time keeps moving forward and when you look back you can actually see how far you have come. That is something that I enjoy about life's journey. Sometimes we are so busy living our lives we don't always see it happening.  Sometimes, I like to timestamp my life and take inventory.  Ichigo Ichie —the practice of being fully present in the moment—is something I strive to live by. I know I won't be able to recreate these days, so I’m committed to living in the here and now, embracing the journey as it unfolds. The magic that has transpired in the past few months fills me with pure happiness. I’m incredibly grateful to be in Japan, living this life. In this time, I’ve m...

Sashiko: The Japanese Art of Slow Stitching Since moving to Japan, I’ve discovered so many wonderful traditions, foods, and customs, but my favorite of them all has been the discovery of sashiko . I’m not quite sure how I stumbled upon this beautiful art form, but the more I have learned about it, the deeper my appreciation has grown. There’s something captivating about the rhythm of the tiny stitches, the meditative process of sewing, and the stunning indigo fabrics that have now become a part of my collection. It’s more than just stitching—it’s a practice, a way of slowing down, and an invitation to embrace the mindfulness of mending/creating. What is Sashiko? At its core, sashiko is a traditional Japanese form of hand-sewing that involves stitching simple, repetitive patterns on fabric. The word “ sashiko ” translates roughly to “little stabs” (刺し子), a perfect description of the delicate, precise movements used in the craft. Sashiko originally emerged out of the necessity of mendin...

Lonely, no problem, reach for a BOOK!    This year I have noticed that since my daughter left the nest, I have been reading more and more. I believe that I have read over 60 books this year, and most of them since summer. I find that audiobooks are the best fit for me. I can multi-task while reading.    For me, anytime I am sewing, I am either listening to a book or music. However, with so many books on my “must read” lists I find myself reaching for books over music these days.      Books can feel more like friends, when you live alone. So, I am constantly wanting to find out more and check in with my make-believe friends. Moving forward I am going to track and share my reads on my blog. And since there are so many books to list for 2024, I am having a hard time narrowing it down.    Moving forward I plan to share my current reads and reviews on TheStoryGraph. I know that ...

Do not underestimate the need for hobbies      Although I am a new Empty Nester, I have been paying close attention to my friends and their journeys. One friend comes to mind in particular. When her adult children were off at college, she realized that she didn't have many hobbies or interests beyond her work and children. As mothers, that is what we do, we dedicate our lives to our children and if we are lucky we might also have a career outside our home.          My friend soon discovered that she did have interests, and started to pursue them.  She quickly filled her time with a variety of activities.  As I watched her I took notes.  Although I was years away from being an Empty Nester, I knew the day would come, and I wanted to be prepared .  I started to take inventory of my interests and hobbies and I realized quickly that I would be okay.  I have a plethora of interests and hobbies, what I have alway...