I was surprised by how excited I got for my empty nest. Everything changed when my adult son moved back in.

• My looming empty nest filled me with sadness, so I made exciting plans.
• But as my twins headed off for college, my oldest moved back in.
• I’m learning midlife transitions rarely unfold the way we imagine.

My son has moved back in, and I’m learning to be fluid

So, I’m making a concerted effort to practice fluidity — refusing to stay stagnant and learning to adapt without fear or resistance when life changes direction unexpectedly. While I’ve learned it’s good to have a plan, it’s better to know when to loosen your grip on it.

Life is always moving around us. I’m learning to soften enough to change with it.