As 2023 has drawn to a close, I find myself reflecting on what a special holiday season this was for our family. We all flew home to Seattle and spent so much quality time with grandparents, cousins, and extended family. One of my favorite moments was watching my daughters make candy cane cookies with my mother in my childhood kitchen, just like I did with my mom when I was a little girl. When we moved away to Park City eleven years ago, the girls and I continued this special tradition, but this was the first time they were making cookies with Nana. It’s a treasured moment I won’t forget. My mom is 89, my kids are starting to leave the nest, and I’m painfully aware of how fast the sands of time are passing through the hourglass. This was just one of those years I didn’t want the holidays to end.

As we head into 2024, reflecting on the year gone by is important. Take some time to consider the highlights, the challenges, and the growth you’ve experienced in 2023. What have you learned about yourself? What achievements are you most proud of? What moments brought you joy? Acknowledge the emotions that arise during this reflection. Whether it’s pride, nostalgia, or even a touch of sadness, allow yourself to feel these emotions fully. 2023 was a pivotal year for me. I had so many beautiful new things come into my life, and simultaneously I let go of many things that were holding me back and causing me harm. It was a year for me to grow. Growth years can be challenging and painful, but so worth it. Heading into 2024, because of the work I did last year, I feel equipped to be a better wife, mother, and friend, well prepared (and excited!) to serve our Almost Empty Nest/ Empty Nest community.

We have so many amazing things coming in 2024 to help serve our community. We will have a book out in the spring called The Almost Empty Nester that helps women rediscover who they are before their kids leave the nest. If you are already an Empty Nester, don’t worry, you can apply every lesson in the book to your life as well. We will also have an accompanying journal you can purchase to help take you through the framework I teach in the book, and we will have a 21-day course that helps you take a deeper dive into discovering your passion and purpose for this upcoming chapter in your life.

Finally, I want to thank every one of you for coming along on this journey with me and my team. We wish the best for you in 2024 and can’t wait to see what you create. Come connect with us on socials @theemptynesterclub.

Cheers to your best year yet!