I honestly think that this is the way your mind is telling you that you miss your parents very much, but you are not listening. You are use to taking care of them and now you aren't, so now you don't know what to do. I hope this is not sounding harsh in any way. Try thinking of the things they like to do and do one. Maybe this will help you feel close to them again.

Yes, dealing with environmental changes is hard too. I was wrapped up in my mom's care for years, then she passed. My sister and I were just wrapping up financial matters for her when my MIL got ill. I took care of her with the help of Hospice until she passed. For two months after that I was settling her estate, closing her apartment, etc.
Now, suddenly, I have almmost nothing to do but my own housework, and can't manage to find energy to do it. I sit in this house all day counting the hours until my husband comes home so that at least I will have company. It is a tough adjustment to say the least. Rainbow

This is something that I am still struggling with and I do not like to admit it. I get so angry at myself. I have no energy to do anything. And wander how I did it when I was the caregiver. It drives me insane. I don't know if I will ever adjust to it. After 16 months, I still have not adjusted. I would give anything to be the caregiver again. It would make that free time so much better. all I can say is I am trying to fill in the time.

I'm so glad you mentioned this as I am in the same situation.I miss my mom but not the responsibility. Seems I've been going non stop all my life and now I feel free! I feel a little guilty I am not being more useful and productive. Feels out of character for me. Its so nice not to have to watch the clock! I worked a Sudoku puzzle this morning without a care in the world! Find myself reading a lot and enjoying little things I never seemed to have the time for. Allow myself to be lazy! I am not complaining but it does feel strange! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your free time. Sounds like you well earned it!

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. MY HUSBAND OF 6 YEARS DIED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. HE WAS PARALYZED FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. MY DAYS AND NIGHTS WERE FILLED WITH EITHER GOING BACK & FORTH TO WORK AND CARING FOR MY HUSBAND. I STILL FEEL AS THOUGH I NEED TO BE DOING SOMETHING, BUT WHEN I TRY TO GET STARTED IT JUST SEEMS AS THOUGH I CAN FINISH OR FOCUS. MY MOTHER WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING WHEN CARING FOR HER MOTHER & MY DAD AT THE SAME TIME. BOTH OF THEM DIED WITHIN 1 YEAR OF EACH OTHER AND SHE WAS TOTALLY LOST TOO. BUT TALKING TO HER IT DOES GET BETTER WITH TIME. BUT IT'S OK TO FEEL THIS WAY. AND I'M SURE YOU WILL FOR A WHILE. I'LL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS!!!

I know exactly what you mean. While I didn't do full time caregiving until the last few months, I have spent my entire adult life going to Mom's (2 hours away) every 3rd weekend or so just to hang out and get her out of the house (she was a loner for the most part). Now when the weekend comes up and I never have plans, it feels very weird.

I understand.. when you are a full time caregiver your whole life is wrapped around just that.. I have been doing caregiving for many years..Most of the time end of life care.. when a patient(friend) would pass it would take weeks to adjust.. most of the time I worked 12 hour shifts.. now and for the past three years I have been caring for my mother almost 24/7.. I can imagin what an adjustment it will be to no longer care for her.In fact I have no idea how I will adjust..Love D