I’m sorry your husband passed (too early!).
I have a husband still, but we live separate lives under the same roof. My kids are 20 & 22. The 22 yo has launched to the East Coast. The 20 yo is still in college, but has been staying down there instead of coming home for breaks.
I am throwing my energy into building a new life for myself. I quit the job I’d held for 17 years & replaced it with a new one.
When I cook, it’s something very simple. There is barely anything in the fridge. The house is cleaner than it’s been in years because there are no teenaged girls doing what most teenaged girls do with the bathroom, kitchen, their clothes, their shoes, their books…I’m not frustrated that the kids are not pitching in as much as I’d expected.
I sleep well. I’m not sleeping with one eye open waiting for a kid to get home.
I joined a hiking club where I’ve met so many interesting people. There are quite a few people, in their 50s, 60s, 70s, who have never been married or never had kids, some currently partnered, many not. Most of the people I’ve met do some serious traveling —sometimes trips with other members of the hiking club, sometimes with a vacation company.
Meetup groups are often filled with people looking for other fun, nice people to do things with. There is a whole world out there, waiting for you to discover it!
I am LOVING the freedom and autonomy, and not having my time & energy & money be the kids, the kids, the kids.
It feels like a very special time. It can be for you, too. 