As the mother of adult children, it’s normal to feel occasional sadness and worry. But when sadness becomes depression, and worry is a symptom of anxiety, it’s time to consider getting help.
This episode helps you understand the difference between normal transitional feelings and signs that you may need additional support from a therapist or doctor.
The empty nest is often described as a loss that comes without a funeral. There’s no ceremony, no community ritual, no structured grief process. Suddenly:
Your purpose feels blurry
Your home feels different
And long-buried emotions have space to surface
A certain amount of sadness, nostalgia, and disorientation is part of the process. But depression is when those emotional dips become your emotional baseline.
You may be dealing with transitional sadness if you…
Have occasional tearfulness
Have lower motivation for a few days
Feel sad but still have moments of connection, laughter, or hope
You may be dealing with depression if you…
Wake up feeling hopeless more days than not
Notice a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Feel chronically tired or numb
Struggle to get basic tasks done
Experience changes in sleep or appetite
Feel like life has lost its color or meaning
If you’ve been feeling this way for two or more weeks—and it interferes with daily functioning—it’s time to reach out.
You may be dealing with normal anxiety if you…
Worry about your kids but can redirect yourself
Feel restless or overthink occasionally
Have days of feeling “off” but can still function
You may be dealing with anxiety that needs support if you…
Have constant rumination you can't shut off
Feel physically activated (tight chest, racing heart)
Catastrophize or spiral into worst-case scenarios
Avoid certain situations because of worry
Feel like your fear is running the show
Persistent anxiety is not a personality flaw—it’s a physiological and cognitive loop that often responds beautifully to therapy and, in some cases, medication.
Consider therapy or speaking with a doctor if:
Your symptoms have lasted 2+ weeks consistently
You’re not functioning like you normally do
You’re withdrawing socially
You’re having intrusive thoughts you can’t control
You feel like you’re “losing yourself” or emotionally drowning
Your anxiety feels constant, physical, or uncontrollable
Your world starts shrinking because you’re trying to manage your feelings
You’re using alcohol, food, or avoidance to cope
If you know you could use some, email me to schedule a complimentary happy hour call:.
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My new book Intentional Intoxication: How To Deliberately Distill The Different Life You Desire, is available on Amazon. You can imbibe on the entire book in one, short, intentionally happier hour:
Intentional Intoxication Book
If you’re interested to know about how I can support you in overcoming the habit of escaping or chasing, I invite you to reach out to me by using the email below and we find a time to chat:
For a quick shot of your life’s current level of intoxication, I invite you to complete the 10 Questions on my Intoxication Inventory:
