The First Weekend Without Built-In Structure

That first Saturday morning hits differently when there's no soccer practice to rush to, no pancake requests from sleepy teenagers, no built-in rhythm to carry you forward. The silence feels both peaceful and unsettling—like walking into a house where all the clocks have stopped.

You might find yourself wandering from room to room, picking up and putting down the same book, checking your phone for texts that aren't coming, wondering what people without children do with all this time.

This isn't emptiness you're feeling—it's spaciousness, and your nervous system just needs time to adjust to the new dimensions. Think of it like moving from a studio apartment to a house with rooms you've never had before.

**Try This:** Create one small ritual for weekend mornings that's entirely yours—maybe it's reading three pages of poetry with your coffee, or taking a 20-minute walk before the neighborhood fully wakes up. Start this weekend, even if it feels forced at first. The key is choosing something that feels like a gift to yourself, not another obligation.

**Journal Prompt:** What did I love doing on weekend mornings before children? What would feel nourishing to my soul right now, even in small doses?

**Remember:** Empty space isn't a problem to solve—it's a canvas waiting for your brushstrokes.