Routine changes and renewed aspirations
By Macy
@almostoveryou (4864)
Philippines
September 16, 2025 8:31pm CST
It's been so long since I last made a post here. Life has thrown in so many changes - I just needed time to inhale and then exhale and finally settle in. I'm not even sure if I've settled myself already and comfortably.
So, this is how it feels when one of your kids finally goes to college. It's not like she's gone to a faraway university. The campus is a 30-minute bus ride from our place. It's just too disorienting for me to have my girls in different locations during weekdays now. I know this is bound to happen; I'm just feeling overly dramatic because I'm so attached to my kids. Eventually I should get used to this setup.
And, yes, our college freshie is still staying with Mom and Dad and little sister. (It's very common in our culture to have our children with us until they get their own jobs or decide to get married.) Though I wouldn't mind putting her in a dorm when she's ready.
As for me, I've been trying to engage in new activities and hobbies that would occupy my time and my mind. I've sent out applications to three artist groups and I was lucky to receive acceptance from all three. 
Perhaps I'll channel my extra time now to doing more paintings. I've yet to upload new artworks in my Redbubble account. I don't know what's keeping me.
Perhaps I'll channel my extra time now to doing more paintings. I've yet to upload new artworks in my Redbubble account. I don't know what's keeping me.5 people like this
4 responses
@LindaOHio (207497)
• United States
17 Sep
It's natural to be a bit overwhelmed when your kids go to college. I hope it all works out.
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4864)
• Philippines
24 Sep
Indeed. I feel both sad and excited. Haha. Thanks, Linda.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153953)
• India
17 Sep
Good to see you Time is a diffuser and you will soon learn to accept this new phase in your life and that in your daughter's
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4864)
• Philippines
24 Sep
Thanks. I'm trying to engage myself in activities that do not involve my husband and my daughters. Just me. I guess it's time I enjoy my freedom and to explore and discover more things.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40524)
• Philippines
17 Sep
I guess most mom experience that kind of feeling. It is like what they call as “Empty Nest Syndrome”. We parents experience that feeling of detachment from our children as they gain their independence from us feeling detached and not needed by them anymore.
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4864)
• Philippines
24 Sep
I've got mixed feelings about it though I know that it's bound to happen and that I should not keep my children too close when they're learning to become adults. I have no problem being in an empty nest as long as my husband is with me all the time. But he still has work, and I'm usually left alone in the apartment. I have decided to just schedule my errands on days when both my girls are busy in school and won't be home 'til about 4 or 5 pm. Good thing Landers is just a 10-minute walk from our condo. I do my grocery there and hang out at the food court.
I do my grocery there and hang out at the food court.1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40524)
• Philippines
25 Sep
@@adstoveryou I believe it is a common experience for most parents with adult children. Those who feel isolated and excluded from their own growth. But I believe we all went through a stage in our lives when we left our parents and discovered where our lives would take us. We are now in the receiving stage of the same scenario that was previously described..
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (162936)
• United States
17 Sep
It is difficult when your kid(s) leave home for college but you do get used to them being gone... I really disliked it when Pretty left for college. She moved 9 hours away from home. It felt like she moved to the moon. (I had full custody of Pretty from the time she was 5 years old, so even though I'm her dad, it still hit hard.) I buried myself in my job but it was still hard.
I'm glad you've got things lined up now and hope everything works out for you.
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4864)
• Philippines
24 Sep
Thanks for sharing this, DE. I can't imagine my only child moving that far from home. I'd probably pester her with messages every single day. 
I tried bringing my paint kit out of this apartment last week. I started a watercolor sketch at Starbucks and then moved to a grocery food court (because I had errands there). I enjoyed it so much, I think I'll do it again -- maybe on days when both my kids are staying longer in their schools and I'm feeling so alone and lonely on the 14th floor unit.
I tried bringing my paint kit out of this apartment last week. I started a watercolor sketch at Starbucks and then moved to a grocery food court (because I had errands there). I enjoyed it so much, I think I'll do it again -- maybe on days when both my kids are staying longer in their schools and I'm feeling so alone and lonely on the 14th floor unit.