Why Dreaming Is the Most Practical Thing You Can Do Right Now
I was the room makeover decorating queen. I went into someone’s house and transformed it from drab, lifeless and boring to a magical space that made them LOVE their new room. It was an incredible gift I had and I was so excited to use it. But wait, there’s more.
I also owned my own bakery. I just loved getting up in the morning and serving the most delicious coffee and pastries to my customer’s. I loved creating new delectible treats and my bakery was adorable. It was the “it” hangout for locals.
These stories may sound like I’m bragging but this didn’t REALLY happen, so I guess it’s ok to “toot my own horn” as my grandma would have said.
These were actually the dreams I had as a child. Oh, I led all kinds of amazing lives. I was an artist and a fashion designer. I was Martha Stewart before Martha was. But somewhere along the path of adulting, I lost the habit of imagining. I stopped dreaming.
Not because I wanted to, but because REAL life got in the way.
And it’s not unusual, at some point in our lives, most moms stop dreaming.
Not because they don’t want more —
but because life require’s us to be practical.
Raising kids teaches you to plan, anticipate needs, manage schedules, and stay grounded in reality. Dreaming big often gets replaced with doing what’s necessary, responsible, and reliable.
And that’s a good thing… for a season.
But when the kids leave, something quietly shifts.
You finally have space again — in your time, your energy, your heart —to dream.
Yet many empty nest moms feel strangely stuck, restless, and uninspired. And maybe it’s because we forget how. We are so out of practice in imagining what our future life could be, that we just don’t even try anymore.
That’s not a failure.
That’s a signal.
The Cost of Playing Small
Here’s what no one tells you:
When you stop dreaming, life doesn’t feel practical and grounded. It feels dull, lifeless, and flat.
Without a compelling vision pulling you forward, you may notice:
- Days blending together
- Motivation fading
- A sense of “Is this all there is now?”
Not because your life is bad — but because it’s no longer expanding.
Dreaming isn’t childish or unrealistic.
It’s how the brain and soul reconnect to possibility.
Why Vision Changes Everything
Your mind is wired to move toward what it can imagine.
When you give yourself permission to picture a life you love — one that feels meaningful, joyful, and aligned — something powerful happens:
- You feel energized instead of drained
- You begin noticing opportunities you once overlooked
- You reconnect with parts of yourself that went quiet during busy years
This is why vision work isn’t optional in your next chapter.
It’s foundational.
From Survival Mode to Creative Mode
For many empty nest moms, dreaming feels uncomfortable at first.
You might think:
- “I should be grateful for what I have.”
- “I don’t even know what I want anymore.”
- “It’s too late to start something new.”
Those thoughts aren’t truth — they’re leftovers from survival mode.
Dreaming gently moves you into creative mode.
It allows you to imagine a life that feels expansive instead of reactive.
Why a “Perfect Day” Matters
In my workshop,The Joyful Rewrite, dreaming isn’t about vague wishes or unrealistic fantasies.
It’s about clarity.
My favorite lesson is called My Perfect Day. I stole this concept from a management company I used to work for.
It was my first job and I LOVED it. (This is a true story, not a dream, lol). We taught a 13 week goal setting course that ended with writing your “Perfect Day” and creating a Vision Board (something I had never heard of at the time).
The “My Perfect Day” project is a dream day written from a vantage point 3, 5 or 10 years in the future. It’s what your life would look like if you could be, do or achieve anything with no barriers. A Perfect Day written correctly will give you goosebumps. Promise.
And that vision is what drives you forward. It’s the motivator that helps you transition during this difficult season of your life.
When you imagine a day that feels deeply satisfying — how you wake up, how you spend your time, who you’re with, what brings you peace — you’re uncovering clues about what your soul is craving.
That vision becomes a compass.
Not pressure.
Not expectation.
Just direction.
This Is Where Joy Begins Again
Dreaming big doesn’t mean changing everything overnight.
It means giving yourself permission to want more — and trusting that desire is pointing you somewhere meaningful.
Your Empty Nest years aren’t about shrinking your life.
They’re about finally expanding it.
✨ Ready to explore what’s possible?
InsideThe Joyful Rewrite — women learn to reconnect with their imagination, write a new story, and remember what it feels like to be excited about the future.
If that sounds like something that would be helpful to you, join The Priority List to be the first to know when doors open here
And if you’re just starting your journey and truly have no idea where to even begin, grab my free guide 5 Simple Truths Every Empty Nest Mom must Embrace here
