Xenn Adrift Podcast

I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m going somewhere. Movement is abundant.

I grew up in a cycle of moving—every three to four years, a new city, a new home, new adventures. That was the highlight of my youth. Some kids struggle with constant relocation. That was never my story. I looked forward to the announcement, “We got orders! We’re going to…”

That pause—right before the destination was revealed—was pure joy.Unknowing. Anticipation. Possibility.

the exception, not the rule

Houston is the anomaly. I’ve called this city home for nineteen years. I raised my boys here while I grew into womanhood myself. It snuck up on me—Houston is like that if you’re not careful. The plan was to move here, regroup after divorce, then find the next city. Another place for the boys and me to explore, grow fond of, and discover new parts of ourselves.

Alas, Houston and I are still togetha. 😉

I love my city. And staying here nearly two decades taught me something important: I can root. I provided stability when it was necessary. I played the long game. I did the right thing. All of that makes returning to the rhythm of movement feel easy—earned, even. Drifting is in my DNA. And that’s what I intend to do.

“Staying taught me I could root. Moving reminds me who I am.”

Xenn Adrift is the season I’m in. The season I’ve been quietly waiting to return to. My nest is empty—not just empty, but successful. My birdies are soaring. I stayed long enough to make sure. I’m confident in their adulting. Work is flexible. Love is… love lingers, but I’m unbound. My only pressing commitment is to myself—and to Little Me, who loved the space between not knowing and knowing.

room to go

I have room in my life now. Enough to leave, return, recalibrate, and do it again. I don’t need to decide where I’ll land to trust that I’m moving with intention. I don’t need every detail mapped out to take the next step. I’m drifting into a season of nomading. I don’t know where I’ll land first.

And I’m good with that.

I plan to linger a little longer in the in-between.

And that’s exactly the point.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit xennadrift.substack.com

Beginnings are hard. New beginnings? Even harder.

I found myself in a well of depression in 2022. I stayed there longer than I expected—nearly two years—until I finally pulled myself out. When I emerged, everything I thought I knew was different or gone. My routines. My certainty. Even me.

In 2024 I turned 44 and declared it my Obama Year- a year of intentional excellence. I focused on work, fitness, health, finances. And it worked. I made stealthy improvements.

What I didn’t expect was what came unstuck.

Old dreams resurfaced-dreams I assumed had dried up in the sun, or maybe just waterlogged at the bottom of that well. Dreams of travel. Of adventure. Of love.Then, love found me in Honolulu, where I closed out 44 and welcomed 45 in Obama’s hometown without knowing it would become a marker in my story.

This is what happened when I released my grip on life and let myself drift.

1. Why this, why now?

I’m here because I reached a point where doing everything “right” wasn’t enough anymore.

I’m a well-seasoned Xennial, an empty nester, and a woman who spent years holding it together. Letting go wasn’t part of the plan—but neither was staying stuck.

This space is me documenting what happens when you relax-relate-release and drift into your becoming.

2. Who is welcomed to build community here?

This is for Xennials and older millennials who are reinventing themselves quietly.

Empty nesters. Solo travelers. Curious nomads. Late bloomers. People who aren’t chasing youth—but aren’t done dreaming either.

If you’re learning how to live differently on purpose, you’re in the right place.

3. When will I post?

I’m still finding my rhythm, but expect one to two posts a week. And a note or two.

I’ll write about:

* solo travel and part time nomading

* empty nesting and identity shifts

* love, loss, and letting go

* starting over without pretending it’s cute (cause it ain’t!)

No hustle sermons. No toxic optimism. Just real-time reflections from someone learning how to live untethered.

4. Will you join my adventures?

Thanks for reading Xenn Adrift! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit xennadrift.substack.com

This video was originally recorded in 2023 during my Empty Nestie Bestie era.I’m archiving it here as part of my personal evolution.Same woman. Different season.

There is a shift in parenting styles once your young adult moves away from home. You’ll miss it if you’re not careful. In this video I talk about the shift, how to navigate it, and helping your young adult(s) navigate their way through the shift. Operative word being “helping”. Yes, I’m talking to you 😏The Catch Up: Summertime, New Job, Summer w/ My Boys. TOV: The Parent ShiftThank you for watching and supporting 🤩Next video Friday: A New Life- Empty Nest Starter Kit Part 3 Ask me about the #SummerNestieChallenge

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit xennadrift.substack.com

This video was originally recorded in 2023 during my Empty Nestie Bestie era.I’m archiving it here as part of my personal evolution.Same woman. Different season.

Welcome to Anya’s Xenn Den. This episode is the first in the Empty Nest Starter Kit series. I talk about the transition that no one talks about…becoming an empty nester. I thought it would be all fun and games until the time came. In this first video I talk about the transition into an empty nest, the sense of loss that comes with it, as well as building the foundation to your new life as an empty nester. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share! Turn on the notifications to get the second part. Talk soon!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit xennadrift.substack.com

Archive Note: These videos were originally recorded during my Empty Nestie Bestie era (circa 2023). I’m housing them here as part of the story that brought me to Xenn Adrift.

My name is Anya. I am a Xennial Empty Nester creating life on my own terms. Let’s journey together.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit xennadrift.substack.com