153: Listen to this episode when the holidays are approaching πŸ’š

153: Empty Nest Help - Listen to this episode when the holidays are approaching πŸ’š

Original Posting Date: November 2021

Hello, my amazing friend. πŸ‘‹

Thanks for stopping by!

I'd love to know if you find this episode helpful in any way. 

Looking for the printable transcript? Click here for holiday empty nest help.


 

Holiday Topics Included

  • Your adult/emerging adult child is home for the holidays

  • Your family stresses you out

  • You are alone

  • Dealing with parental guilt

  • Mourning a loved one

Coach Christine,

Your Empty Nest Coach

"My amazing friend, I'm not here to become your guru or advice provider. Nah, that's way too much pressure for me, to be honest. I'm here to guide you on a path to discover how to use you as your own internal GPS, and I'll cheer you all along the way."

Take a listen or read the full transcript at the bottom of this post.

⇓⇓⇓ More goodies below, too! Scroll down ⇓, so you don't miss anything! ⇓⇓⇓

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Episode Topics & Their Minute Markers

  • 00:42  Podcast Intro
  • 01:10   Why am I creating these episodes? 
  • 03:23  How to use the GPS Reset exercises/affirmations
  • 05:13  The topic is holidays
  • 05:50  When your emerging adult child is home for the holidays
  • 08:30  When visiting family stresses you out 
  • 10:52   When you are alone during the holidays
  • 13:25    When you have parental holiday guilt
  • 16:56    When you are mourning a loved one

πŸ’šSend audio feedback to Coach Christine now: voicemail/text to 920-LIFEWIN (920-543-3946).

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The Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, Episode 153

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Listen to this episode when the HOLIDAYS are approaching.

Hello, amazing human! This episode is a little different from my normal episode. It is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I did these in Clubhouse when I was active there and titled them GPS Reset exercises. My tentative plan is to do one episode of these a month with supporting documents in our Empty Nest Success online space.

For those of you who are new here, I will include my normal intro- go ahead; for those of you who are used to it, tap that 30-second forward button and dive right in. You'll also find time markers to topic sections in the show notes - you may need to tap details or more (depending on what app you are using to listen) to view those. Thanks for listening. Here we go.

00:00:42

[up beat music]

This podcast is my gift to you: a parent adjusting to the idea of an empty nest or possibly a student who’s wondering how your parents are feeling about you heading out on your own. These podcast episodes will have a base of life coaching infused with reminders to cheer yourself on, and maybe with a dash of my alter-ego, Sally, the hotline video operator popping in from time to time. I’m here to remind you that you should be your own biggest fan.

00:01:10

Why am I making these episodes?

Well, that's a great question! I've had people reach out to me through social direct messages, emails, and sometimes voice messages - in those messages they share with me that while they are doing their thing: walking, doing chores, having conversations in their head - you know, living their life, they'll hear my voice in their head saying something they've heard me say on the podcast. And sometimes, that allows them to reframe the situation they're in.

For those of you who this is true for - or for who it may become true for, I want to assist a bit more by creating some affirmations and positive thoughts - these GPS Resets - for key moments in your life. These are events that might lead you to sit back and allow your protector to take over and run your life. Your protector (or what some view as our ego) does this because they take their job seriously, and they want to - protect you - but when they take over, we, as humans, never get to consider other possibilities in life. We are limited in how we experience moments, and our true selves continue to hide away -missing yet another opportunity to live life, figure out who we are, and to grow - missing out on allowing our own internal GPS to build strength.

Sure, doing this work may mean we experience moments that are incredibly raw and filled with emotion - trust me - I've been experiencing a ton of this myself over the last few years - and especially this year. It is, after all, MUCH easier to allow our protector to- protect us. It's easier to walk through life on auto-pilot.

00:02:50

Here's the thing. It is your life.

You get to choose how to proceed. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other what you choose to do - I'd love to see you choose you - but ultimately, it's all you to decide, my amazing friend.

Ask yourself, do I want to sleepwalk through life, or do I want to consciously wake up and begin - or continue to - consider the thoughts in my mind?

All of these things are why I am creating these episodes. To begin you on your journey of considering your thoughts.

00:03:23

[computer game level-up music (short)]

My amazing friend, I'm not here to become your guru or advice provider. Nah, that's way too much pressure for me, to be honest. I'm here to guide you on a path to discover how to use you as your own internal GPS, and I'll cheer you all along the way.

And with that in mind, what is even more powerful than hearing MY voice in your mind, is to hear YOUR voice in your mind.

If you are short on time, and one of these affirmations really resonates with you, use them as is. However, if you're ready for the next step, I encourage you to pop over to our Empty Nest Success online space, where you will find a PDF of the full transcript of this episode. Download it , copy the text that works for you, modify it, adjust words that don't resonate with you, and replace them with better ones - ones that work for you! Be genuine to you; imagine your future self talking to you now, and what would they want to say to you? When you have text that resonates with you, open your voice app on your phone, record it in your voice - title it appropriately so you can find it quickly and get listening.

If you are like me - I have an ADHD brain - it may take you a while to get used to remember you have it on your phone as an option, but one day you will remember... and then you'll find messages for all sorts of times that you can reference whenever you need them. You may even find yourself creating your own for times that you know you'll need them for.

May this encourage and inspire you going forward.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for gifting yourself with this - future you and I are cheering you on, my amazing friend - you're taking one more step toward becoming the Conscious Effective Olympian (the C.E.O.) of your life!

00:05:13

[computer game level-up music (short)]

HOLIDAYS

The focus for today's GPS Reset Exercises is HOLIDAYS. Initially, I was going to focus on Thanksgiving, but what I found in preparing this is that the general holiday season brings up similar themes for most of us.

I have five versions of this for you. In each version, I'm going to say them and then leave space for you to repeat what I say. That's how they're meant to be used. I covered the five first instances that came to my mind with my limited time available. Hopefully, if your holiday status isn't covered, this will inspire you to make your own version. Check my show notes to jump to the title that resonates with you, or enjoy them all.

00:05:50

[computer game level-up music (short)]

This GPS Reset Exercise is for when your Adult/Emerging Adult Children are Home for the Holidays

With the holidays ahead, I know the energy in my home is about to change as my children return home. I gift myself with patience as I navigate the emotions that arise in me. I gift my children with love, love, and more love. I take a deep breath in and out and let go of the roles we have filled in the past. I take another deep breath in and out and consider the opportunity I have to get to know my child(ren) all over again. Releasing past experiences, releasing future expectations, [and] Setting loving boundaries ahead of time, if needed. Lovingly communicating with my adult child and understanding that I can fill a new role of support going forward: the safe space, the listener, and the cheerleader - even when they share dreams and goals that scare me. I gift myself now with time to consider how I would like to proceed in our relationship first letting go of all past and prior expectations. I am an amazing human. I am worth gifting myself this time now to discover how I would like to change things in the future. Be it my relationship with my children and, more importantly, with myself. I will embrace the chaos when it happens, laugh when I can, cry when I need to, and everything in between. I am worth this time. I am worth this work. I am an amazing human ready to embrace the holidays.

00:08:30

[computer game level-up music (short)]

This GPS Reset Exercise is for when Visiting family that stresses you out.

With the holidays ahead, there is an expectation that I will spend time with my family. Some of my family members drain my energy. I take a deep breath in and out as I consider who just came to mind. I take another deep breath in and out and consider: do I HAVE to spend time with them over the holidays? - Knowing the answer may surprise me. I gift myself with time now to consider ways to navigate holiday time with them I consider loving boundary statements to have on hand should I need to gift myself with time away from them. I am doing the work to discover who I am, and as I do that, it sometimes makes it evident who I need space from in order to take care of myself. I am worth that. I need to protect myself and my family; I deserve the gift. No one will do it for me, but I can do it for myself. I will remember that one small change in this area is a HUGE change for me, and I will be patient as I begin to protect my energy. I am an amazing human. I am worth this uncomfortable work, and I'm ready to embrace the holidays with love, boundaries, and a dash of humor.

00:10:52

[computer game level-up music (short)]

This GPS Reset Exercise is for when you are Alone During the Holidays

With the holidays ahead, there is a societal expectation that I will spend time with family and friends. As of right now, I have no plans. I take a deep breath in and a deep breath out as I consider what I am making this mean. I take another deep breath in and a deep breath out to consider if I want to be alone or not. I take another deep breath; in let it out to consider if the answer is no; I will consider all of the ways I could not be alone and virtual meetings count!

When I am happy being alone, I give myself permission to enjoy the quiet. When I'd rather not be alone, I provide a safe space to myself to consider out-of-the-box ideas on how to share my life with others. I deserve time to rest; I deserve time to rejuvenate myself. I am patient with myself as I figure out what I want this holiday and for future holidays. Being alone, I have the opportunity to break traditions and make my own. I will embrace the things that bring me joy. I will do things on this day that make me feel rested, peaceful and seek out some laughter. I will feel my emotions knowing I am strong enough to process through them. I am an amazing human, whether I'm in a room full of people or whether I'm by myself.

00:13:25

[computer game level-up music (short)]

This GPS Reset Exercise is for Holiday Parental Guilt

With the holidays ahead, I gift myself with focusing on my own family. I take the time to release comparisons that my mind likes to do with others who I might believe are "doing it better," whatever that means. I take a deep breath in, let it out ,and release any ideas of what others do. I take another deep breath in, and out, as I release any thoughts that I may be "less than" in my role as a parent. With one more deep breath in and out I release expectations that I have for myself that haven't been placed there from a source of love and understanding of my life, abilities, and financial status.

I am an amazing human who has done the best I could in every moment. I remind myself that hindsight is 2020 that I can't change the past, but I can be ever-present in the present, and there is no greater gift to give my child than being a safe space for them than being a good listener and cheering them on I gift myself with removing any assumptions I have about them I will remind myself that my children have their own struggles their own dreams their own emotions and that those may be vastly different from mine That doesn't make theirs wrong or mine wrong. I will gift myself in noticing my thoughts about them, and about myself. I will choose thoughts that bring me peace. I will remember to be the best me that I can be in every moment that is all anyone can ask of me, and I'm freaking amazing anyway, so I'm going to be my best amazing self this holiday that I can be in each and every moment knowing that my best self is different moment to moment and that, is an incredible gift I can give to me, and when I take care of myself my children will learn to honor their amazing self. I'm ready for this holiday, and I'm going to enjoy each moment.

00:16:56

[computer game level-up music (short)]

This GPS Reset Exercise is for Holidays While Mourning A Loved One

I am here in this moment, right now. I have had a lot to process over the last year or years, and I know that the holidays will bring up emotions of my loved ones that aren't here with me. I give myself extreme permission to feel those emotions. I also give myself extreme permission to feel opposing emotions. I remind myself that it is perfectly fine for me to feel peaceful. It is more than okay for me to laugh, and, yes, I can have happiness while I continue to mourn.

I will cherish memories; I will make new ones. I remind myself that the new memories do not erase past memories. They are simply new memories. I will take deep breaths in and out as I navigate the holiday ahead without my loved one. I miss them. And that is okay. I wish they were here. And that is okay. I will notice my thoughts, process my emotions and then pull myself into the present - where I am now. I will notice things I didn't notice before. I will look for beauty everywhere, and I will fiercely love myself in every moment. I will enjoy time I have with those I have the honor to spend time with. Most of all, I will gift myself with tremendous love and patience. I will gift myself with discovering what I need - whether it is to be in a room full of people or to spend some time alone. There is no right or wrong answer - there is what I need. I gift myself with that, and I remember through it all that I am freaking amazing.

That's all I have for today. Remember, make these your own. Take what resonates, and leave the rest. Modify them - record it for yourself.

[up beat music]

You have an amazing tool, friend - it is your powerful mind - and I encourage you to use it for you rather than against you. You've got this, and have a wonderful, peaceful, thought-conscious-filled season. You are amazing!

You are amazing!

[End]


122 – 127: Holiday/Winter Break Episodes πŸ’š

122 - 127: Holiday/Winter Break Episodes πŸ’š

Hello, my ah-mazing empty nest friend,

I hope 

  • You are wrapping up 2020 and heading into 2021 by managing your thought-box deliveries well
  • Your family is healthy and safe
  • You know (or are working) to know your future-self
  • You realize (or are beginning to realize) how powerful you are

I'll be adding resources and podcast episode players to this post for episodes in the remainder of the year. 

I have 121 prior episodes that are (mostly) in line with my usual format. Click here to view all of them, or head to the Search This Site menu at the top of this page and type in what you are looking for!

Coach Christine,

Your Empty Nest Coach

"I am on a short break from my usual episodes until after the new year, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve prerecorded these quick episodes."

Take a listen or read the full transcript at the bottom of this post.

⇓⇓⇓ More goodies below, too! Scroll down ⇓, so you don't miss anything! ⇓⇓⇓

Subscribe To This Podcast

It is FREE!

Want to get notified of new episodes directly on your phone? Subscribe to this podcast using your favorite app!

FULL TRANSCRIPT: 

Episodes 122 - 127 of the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast

EPISODE 122

[happy intro music]

00:00:00

Hi, It’s coach Christine. 

This is my podcast, it’s the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and I am on a short break from my usual episodes until after the new year, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve pre recorded these quick episodes.

This is the audio from my first Express Coaching Lesson on Instagram Reels. Yes, that means there is video to go with it. Check the show notes. Have a listen:

00:00:22

[acoustic guitar music under voiceover]

[doorbell] 

Realizing that my thoughts were optional was life changing for me. I like to think of them now, as thought-deliveries. When they show up in our mind, it is kind of like a house: we can keep the package, [knock at the door]sort it, or flat-out return to sender.

[end background music]

00:00:38

My last episode before break was 121, so if you are new here, I invite you to check it out. I’ll have a link to that episode in my show notes as well as anything else I have referenced.

Enjoy your time with your family, and if you have any questions, quick tips, thoughts,  or want to see all of my offerings, visit my website YourEmptyNestCoach.com. Of course, the flock is still flying and I may have some VIP Intensive Coaching spots still open. I invite you to check it all out - and don’t forget to enjoy yourself today. YOU ARE AMAZING! 

[outro music]

EPISODE 123

00:00:00

[happy intro music]

Hi, It’s coach Christine. This is my podcast, it’s the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and I am on a short break from my usual episodes until after the new year, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve pre-recorded these quick episodes.

This following is the audio from another Reel of mine - discussing the idea of sending a letter to your child which, you know, I really should do one of these days. Ha!

00:00:24

Excuse me, do you know that you can send something smaller to your child away from home? It’s called a letter. 

[speaking quickly]

Write something nice on a piece of paper, put it in an envelope, slap an address and stamp on it, put it in the mailbox, and there you go. [pause]

No, no glitter. 

00:00:38

Have you found the funny recently? I love finding the funny in everything. It easily could be interpreted as I am not serious. Oh, my friend, my constant awareness of how short life can be is what motivates me to have fun.

My last full episode was #121, so if you are new here, I invite you to check it out. I’ll have a link to that episode in my show notes as well as anything else I have referenced.

I hope you are having fun, no matter the happenings in your life. Of course, the GPS Support Flock is still flying and I may have some VIP Intensive Coaching sessions available - be sure to check them out - you’ll find all of the info on my website: YourEmptyNestCoach.com! And don’t forget to find the funny, today. YOU ARE AMAZING! 

[happy exit music]

EPISODES 124

00:00:00

[happy intro music]

Hi, It’s Coach Christine. This is my podcast, it’s the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and I am on a short break from my usual episodes until after the new year, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve pre-recorded these quick episodes.

The following is the audio from an Instagram Reel of mine - a message from your future-self.

00:00:20

Future you has a message for you, part 6. 

Yes, you have to celebrate the small stuff.

It’s what brings you closer to future-you. 

If you don’t know your future-self yet, you should get to know her. 

She’s amazing!

00:00:34

My last full episode was #121, so if you are new here, I invite you to check it out. I’ll have a link to that episode in my show notes as well as anything else I have referenced.

Enjoy your time with your family, and if you have any questions, quick tips, thoughts or want to see all of my offerings, visit my website YourEmptyNestCoach.com. Of course, the flock is still flying and you may want to get in on some VIP Intensive Coaching spots while they’re still open. I invite you to check it all out - and don’t forget to enjoy yourself today. YOU ARE AMAZING! 

[happy exit music]

EPISODE 125

00:00:00

[happy intro music]

Hi, it’s Coach Christine. This is my podcast, it’s the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and I am on a short break from my usual episodes until after the new year, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve pre-recorded these quick episodes -  [record scratch sound] or, so I thought.

Funny story. I had all of the episodes recorded, and then my laptop died - we had to wipe it clean to get it working again. I was relieved when I discovered that, thankfully, I had uploaded all of my recorded episodes to my google drive before that happened. But, guess what, as I went to upload today’s episode - that one was gone: nowhere to be found. 

So, I guess I missed one. Yeah, I said a couple of well-placed curse words, but my body was pretty calm, and my recovery emotionally was quick - even for me. 

00:00:49

I quickly thought, β€œwell, I lost my audacity project files, too,” so this is a chance to get a head start on that. If you don’t know what that means, that’s okay; that comment was for my podcasting friends. 

So, this rogue episode in the midst of the other pre-recorded episodes can serve as a mile marker. 

I’m restructuring all of my offerings - yes, even the flock that I say is still flying - [whispers] it’s not flying right now. This break has provided some much-needed clarity on all things your empty nest coach. 

I hope you are able to get the reset you need this holiday season. Sometimes we choose the reset, like my planned short episodes - and sometimes, it is forced upon us - like my laptop. Either way, remember that by fighting the β€œwhat is,” you may not allow yourself to move forward - you probably won’t at all. Understand, see what is, and enjoy the journey to what will be. Be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself, and gift yourself and your loved ones with a tremendous amount of love.

00:01:48

My last full episode was #121, so if you are new here, I invite you to check it out. I’ll have a link to that episode in my show notes. You’ll find information on all of my current offerings and how to work with me on my website: YourEmptyNestCoach.com! 

Resets are what you make them - beginning with what you think they are. Remember, my beautiful friend, that YOU ARE AMAZING! 

[happy exit music]

EPISODE 126

00:00:00

[happy intro music]

Hi, It’s coach Christine. This is my podcast, it’s the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and I am on a short break from my usual episodes until after the new year, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve pre-recorded these quick episodes.

00:00:13

A quick reminder that your life is a journey. Sometimes, the moments that don’t go [as] expected are the eye-opening, life-changing moments. Appreciate them for what they are, and adjust going forward. I hope this day is one that brings you love, peace and hope for the future, my friend. 

00:00:34

My last full episode was #121, so if you are new here, I invite you to check it out. I’ll have a link to that episode in my show notes as well as anything else I have referenced.

A reminder that the GPS Support Flock is still flying (yes, even over the holidays) and I may have some VIP Intensive Coaching sessions available  - be sure to check them out - you’ll find all of the info on my website: YourEmptyNestCoach.com! 

Don’t forget in the midst of the routine’s of your life that YOU ARE AMAZING!

[happy exit music]

EPISODE 127

00:00:00

[happy intro music]

Hi, It’s coach Christine. This is my podcast, it’s the Your Empty Nest Coach Podcast, and I am currently on a short break. This is my last episode in the short break series. I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I’ve pre recorded these quick episodes.

00:00:16

Happy New Year, my future empty nest friend, and CEO of Your Life - Yes, that stands for Conscious Effective Olympian around here. I had a frustrating experience, recently. It was so incredibly frustrating that it took me two weeks for me to train my protector enough to tell some others about it, and even then, I could feel my protector wanting to take over. It was a huge ego strike - I totally knew it. 

00:00:40

In relation to something else for my daughter, my dear friend, Beth Flint, and my editor , β€œHi, Beth,” [giggle] said, β€œHave her practice this statement, and use it when necessary:

I may be a woman, I may be ____(something here, like blonde), I may be ___years old, but I am not stupid.

00:01:02

So, for me: I may be a woman, I may be blonde, I may be 49 years old, but I’m not stupid.

I LOVE this. Definitely used sparingly, and at the right time, it is a fantastic reminder to others. 

00:01:18

Sometimes we are overlooked due to our age, our gender, our marital status, our eating habits, our race, our politics, our hair color, our job title or any other huge or small thing that another human decides to (knowingly or not) make assumptions about us. 

Sometimes (not always), those said humans have no idea they are making those assumptions - yes, unconscious bias in all forms. 

00:01:45

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to use this statement and I know just the place to use it when the timing is right. 

So thank you, Beth.

And for you, my listener, happy 2021. May this year bring you positive experiences and surprises that you never could have dreamed of. I’m cheering you on!

00:02:07

My last full episode was #121. If you are new here, I invite you to check it out. I’ll have a link to that episode in my show notes as well as anything else I have referenced. I’m scheduled to be back to my regular episodes next week!

A reminder that yes, the GPS Support Flock is still flying (even over the holidays) and I may have some VIP Intensive Coaching sessions available  - be sure to check them out - you’ll find all of the info on my website: YourEmptyNestCoach.com! 

Again, my friend, Happy New Year. YOU ARE AMAZING! 

[happy exit music]