I'm holding a lot in too. I'm a single mom with an older daughter too (she still lives here but is never around). I have a medical problem that I'm worried sick about, problem w/a neighbor, and in addition w/the pandemic I'm home a lot too because I stopped working. This is changing me, I'm feeling like you are. I say to myself to take it one day at a time. If I think about the future, it's worse so I try not to think about it.
When I can't take it anymore, I don't know what state you live in, (I live in New York). I dial 311 and ask to speak to a crisis call center, they connect me to a place called NYC Well, and that's where i vent, they're great and make sure I'm okay. I also have a counselor to speak to once a week. Other than that I am fighting to stay sane so I keep chuggin' along. If you want to write, I am here for you.

Hi Maria, thanks for your reply. I am in Florida. I too have a counselor but I only speak to her occasionally because of the expense. My daughter was also not home a lot before she moved to college the last 3 or 4 months. This was hard on me as I knew she would be leaving soon but I tried to give her space and independence. I think this at least got me used to her not being around so much and perhaps made it a tiny bit easier. I'm sorry to hear about your medical and other worries, but that's good that you can connect with NYC Well. Perhaps they have something like that in Florida. I also reached out to a counselor in California who seems to put together virtual support groups for this issue but haven't talked to her yet, if I hear back I'll let you know. I try to get out and walk and be in nature when I'm feeling too overwhelmed and it helps a little. I also know that meditating helps me, but I have not had the desire to do it much lately. I also have been doing a little bit of yoga in the mornings on and off. My problem is that I'm not consistent with the things I know will help me (and also being home all day is driving me crazy). If I'm feeling down I just don't do them, which is a little bit like a vicious cycle. I'm thinking of setting a schedule and making myself follow it, rain or shine, with yoga, meditation, and journaling. I just gotta find the motivation..

Hello Enid1.

I know how you feel. I too am a recent "empty-nester". My youngest son moved out last October and got married this past July. Although he left almost a year ago, I recently began to fall into a state of depression and I think it has a lot to do with COVID, because my activities are limited. Albeit, I still work outside of the house, but I limit the time I spend with my young grandkids (ages 1 & 2) because of my exposure to the public. I had been spending my time with my sister, but her husband recently returned to the states from the Middle East. So I thought it would be a great idea for me to find an online forum where people who are experiencing the same feelings as me. I spend a lot of time of Facebook because I reside in Texas, but I am originally from California and most of my good friends, classmates and family are there, but not many of them are empty-nesters or they have husbands or mates to fill that empty void.

It is hard being a single mom sometimes... I'm there... Doesn't get any better the older they get either.

I know the feeling, we just left our last child at college a state away last week and this week has been the hardest week of my life!! My husband has been very supportive but there is only so much he can do when I'm constantly crying and having panic attacks ; ( I too feel like I no longer have a purpose or if part of me is missing. I'm also working from home due to Covid so that makes it even harder to have an empty room with no noise. I am hoping that this group will help me in some sort of way,even if it's just to hear one another out.

Hi! I just joined the group. I’m grieving , sad,depressed Feeling anxious. My son just moved out a month ago. Hoping to connect with someone. I now have empty nest. I’m feeling so lost. I to can’t stand more than a day at a time. My kids, I feel don’t understand my feelings even tho their trying to help. My mom tells me to stop pouting. My husband acts like nothing’s happened. As a result I feel alone. I get pangs of anger. I seem to be upset or angry with most ppl in my life. I’m finding very hard. Struggling

What a thoughtful post. Thanks for sharing. I would encourage you to start dating. There are ways to do it socially distanced, until you feel comfortable enough with someone to lessen than that distance. Online dating has come so far since the early days. Almost everyone I know who’s met someone wonderful in the last decade or so met them online.

I was a single dad, and if I hadn’t met someone supportive who I’m now with I don’t know where I would be. You’re in a tough situation. So much so. It’s pretty easy to see that if you keep going it’s going to get better though. It has to. :-)

I too am a recent empty nester. A single mom since my daughter was 3 and somewhat isolated due to social anxiety. She went to college this year and it's been rough! I've finally managed to get myself involved in some community work which has helped. Not working right now because I've been on disability due to severe depression/anxiety. Am just starting now to look for a new job. I'm hoping that will give me a sense of purpose again! The community work has been really helpful. I volunteer for a local dog rescue which is a lot of fun as well as the local food pantry. Getting out there has made a huge difference. Hope this helps!