Hi- Welcome to the forum!

August 2019 when my only child went to college. On the day he left, I was so sad and I felt that I had no purpose. I thought I would be OK because his university is just one hour drive from our house. I was so lonely that I could not even describe how lonely I was. There were people who prayed with me. Aside from my life group, I also have friends from my church who were there for me. While my son was in the university, I studied short-term courses and discovered things that would help me grow in my career.

It was a tough journey for me because he is my only child and I am a stay at home Mom. But God is good, He helped me to overcome that empty nest syndrome. I had peace after I prayed knowing that God protects him while he’s staying in the dorm and while he’s going out with friends.

I’m so sorry that you are going through this. I understand the loneliness. I want to encourage you to surround yourself with people who will pray and encourage you. Don’t go through this alone. Stay in the forum. I found comfort when I posted in one of the online parents groups. I realized that I was not alone. It was a sad journey but God comforted me. You will also overcome the empty nest syndrome by God’s grace. God’s peace and comfort be upon you. Keep us posted.

Thank you very much, eli_mom, for sharing your experience.

I will do my best to endure and hopefully can come out of it ok.

Most of the time, I feel God has abandoned me, or it is His intension to let me suffer.

Thanks again for your kind words.

I hope you afe feeling better than while you were writing this journal. All the best to you. if you ever need to talk, I am here.

Thank you, richierch. You too.

Hi
Even with my son (graduated from college and working) living at
home, I still miss the mother role. It's a tough transition to make
from having your focus on your children to seeing them grow and change and eventually move out. Have you talked to your kids? I know that this might seem like a silly question, but I'm wondering if they are aware of how you are feeling. They, of course, have a right to their own lives, but I'm guessing that you're a huge part of theirs too.
Things will continue to change but hopefully these changes will include more happy times with your kids. For me, keeping busy is important. It's easy to feel abandoned by God when you're in such pain. I hope that you are able to talk to your kids, if you feel this would help and that you keep reaching out.

Reading your post made me cry (again). I feel exactly the same way. My baby, my daughter, is so excited to be on her own I never hear from her. I've been told in a few years that will change but I don't know if that is true. Feeling this bad seemed silly until I read some of the groups messages, and I don't feel so unnatural.

Anyone know how long this sadness will last? I don't want to be swept up never to return to my ol' self

My understanding, from personal experience and from reading, is that depression is very hard to kick on your own. I strongly recommend talk therapy, combined with medication if your therapist feels that you are clinically depressed.

You can also find diagnostics online, to help determine whether you are depressed. If so your primary care physician may be able to start you off on antidepressants. Sometimes they are easier to get a hold of quickly than a new therapist.

My two cents, I’m case it’s helpful...

S0 sorry your symptoms are so severe right now. I am also a new member. No special advice, except maybe sunlight, outdoors.

You should consider an antidepressant, b/c if you can't keep it together long enough to make changes, you can't move forward. If getting out of bed is hard, you should speak to a dr. Once you can feel more stable, can will start feeling more energy and able to be more social. You must exercise every day for serotonin and mental health.

Hi I feel it! My daughter moved in October 2020 things were fine at first but as of now it seems like she gets even cruel and mean to me anymore when I bring up the fact of her texting me or calling me or should I say not texting me or calling me oh, so I know how you feel I have cried for two days straight not being able to understand why my daughter doesn't seem to want to care to text me or call me when that's all I've got and not to mention she moved clear across the country so it's not like all I ever even see her again