The Emotional Work of Life After Divorce and What Helps Single Empty Nesters Start Finding Purpose Again

After her youngest left for college and the divorce papers were signed, Annie found herself in a quiet house that suddenly felt unfamiliar. As a newly single empty nester, the stillness was more than silence and it was a space filled with memories, questions, and a kind of emptiness she hadn’t prepared for.

Slowly, through conversations, connection, and a willingness to sit with what felt uncomfortable, she began to shape a new rhythm.

In this episode, I’m joined by Annie Clay, a Boston-based yoga teacher and health coach whose reflections on midlife have deeply resonated online. Annie’s story caught my attention because she speaks with such grounded honesty about starting over in her 50s. Together, we explore the emotional landscape of this life transition, from the loneliness of being the only single person in your friend group to the quiet joy of finding your own rhythm again.

Annie shares how female friendships helped her rebuild a sense of belonging, why she’s choosing peace over performance when it comes to dating in your 50s, and how she's using this stage for real, grounded personal growth.

Here’s what we talk about:

• Why becoming an empty nester can stir up both grief and hope
• Why starting over feels harder in midlife and what to do about it
• How new female friendships can help you feel seen and supported
• The emotional toll of social media fears when you’re building something new
• What Annie let go of emotionally in order to truly move forward
• How clarity slowly returns when we allow ourselves to embrace uncertainty

If you're sitting in that quiet in-between space, not quite sure who you're becoming, I hope this conversation meets you gently. You’re not late. You’re not behind. You’re exactly where your next chapter begins.

To the life taking shape in the silence,

Allison

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Connect with me:

Website: https://www.lifecoachallisongoldberg.com

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