I would have sworn this wouldn't happen to me...

My last blog was about emotions, and I felt like it took my inspiration away. But it wasn't the blog; what took my breath away was what was happening in my life.

What was happening?

My oldest daughter finished college in December. She left home at 18 to attend college, and of course, she didn't want to go back to live with Mom. And a month ago, my second daughter—19—also decided to move out.

I always thought that, because of the way we raised them, they would leave early. And although I was happy to see them follow their dreams, something inside me broke. I started to feel what I never thought I would feel: empty nest syndrome.

I thought this wouldn't affect me. I have so many things I enjoy! Reading, walking, painting, spending time with my pets, watching movies, traveling... To me, the empty nest sounded like freedom and opportunity. But it wasn't like that; it came anyway.

And it paralyzed me.

I gave myself permission to feel.

I overslept, I looked at the ocean searching for answers in its breeze, I stared at my books with no desire to open them, at my brushes with no intention of painting. I was surrounded by beauty, but without the motivation to enjoy it.

I made a decision, and it wasn't "to give up on the nonsense," it was to acknowledge what I was feeling and give myself permission: to cry, to feel, to grieve.

And it was beautiful.

I remembered that it's okay to feel sad, even when you have a beautiful life. So I made a little plan: I chose nice movies, made tea, cooked delicious meals, and let myself be my companion.

Little by little, my energy returned. I went back to reading, painting, cleaning the house, listening to music again, buying flowers just for me. And I resumed a practice I love: the 28 Days of Gratitude. After three weeks, I came back to myself.

✨ A New Season

I look back and feel like it was like a mild winter in my life. It allowed me to be with myself, to take care of myself, to be vulnerable. And I realized something very valuable: sometimes, you just have to let yourself be. Like the song: Let It Be.

Because the sun always rises again. And with it, a new canvas to paint your dreams.