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After spending decades as a busy wife, mother and columnist, Rita Lussier suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar space, surrounded by the quiet of an empty nest.
In this episode, Rita shares how the departure of her youngest child, combined with the end of her long-running newspaper column, thrust her into a period of deep reflection and unexpected transformation.
We’ll explore how writing helped her navigate the emotional upheaval, how her relationships evolved, and how, eventually, she rediscovered herself as an author.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the noise fades and life suddenly becomes your own again, Rita’s story offers both comfort and clarity.
My meaningful conversation with Rita Lussier, whose book “And Now Back to Me: Stories from an Empty Nest,” offers a heartfelt glimpse into one of life’s most overlooked transitions.
As Rita described, the experience of becoming an empty nester was not something she could fully prepare for, despite knowing for years that it was coming. Like many parents, she found herself suddenly surrounded by silence, grappling with shifting roles, and asking herself, “What now?”
But, rather than rush to fill the void, Rita chose to lean into it, using writing as a tool for reflection, healing and, ultimately, renewal.
From processing the changes in her marriage and caring for aging parents to rediscovering old passions and setting new goals, Rita’s post-50 journey has been anything but stagnant.
Her willingness to share the awkward, emotional and even humorous moments of this season reminds us that there’s power in vulnerability as well as purpose in reinvention.
What stands out most in Rita’s message is that it’s never too late to pursue a dream, pick up a creative passion, or simply give yourself permission to slow down and think about what truly matters. In fact, you don’t have to have it all figured out. Sometimes, all it requires is to be quiet enough to listen to that inner voice.
If you’re approaching — or already in — the empty nest years, I highly recommend checking out Rita’s book, “And Now Back to Me: Stories from an Empty Nest.” You can find it in bookstores and at Amazon.
To connect with Rita, visit her website at www.ritalussier.com or look for her on Facebook and Instagram.
That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
If you order Rita’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.