Personal Growth for
Empty Nesters
Introduction
Using Your Hidden Genius as a springboard, this activity guides empty-nester couples through meaningful conversations and activities to rediscover their strengths, rekindle connection, and align individual and shared goals for the future. Through self-discovery and mutual support, participants are not only rediscovering themselves, but also redefining their relationship–ensuring their next chapter is vibrant and deeply fulfilling.
Couples gain deeper insight into their individual and shared strengths.
They leave with a clear, actionable plan for pursuing fulfilling goals.
They reconnect as a team, excited to support each other and step into the next chapter with purpose and energy.
Materials
Journal or Notebook
Post-it Notes
Vision Board Supplies: Magazines, glue, markers, and poster boards.
Print your individual YouScience assessment results:
Head to Youscience.com and log in.
Click on the “Discover Aptitudes” box on the Aptitude and Career Discovery page.
In the upper right hand corner, click on “Download Aptitudes.” This will generate a full and detailed 40+ page summary report (we suggest you actually print it out!) of your aptitudes and how to put them to work in all aspects of your life.
You can also use the interactive results dashboard to learn more about your aptitudes, personality, and interests.
When you return to the Aptitude and Career Discovery page, you can click on the “Explore Careers” box and browse hundreds of careers, including those that are the best match for your combination of aptitudes, interests, and personality. This is a fun way to imagine all of the possibilities, no matter where you are on your career or life trajectory. You can filter careers based on best overall fit, aptitude-only fit, and interest-only fit. We love showing this feature to people because it reveals what can often be a stark difference between what we think we want to do and what we might actually excel at doing. Click into each suggestion and see all of the features underneath…it’s comprehensive. EXPLORE!
Back on the Aptitude and Career Discovery page, you’ll see the “Discuss Together” box. This will bring you to another downloadable report with rows and rows or rich vocabulary and descriptive sentences that are unique to you! Use this for your resume, interview prep, LinkedIn profile, and for describing yourself to others on your current team!
Step 1: Starting the Conversation — What’s Our Hidden Genius?
This stage of life isn’t about endings; it’s about rediscovery. By understanding your unique strengths, you can create a shared vision that energizes both of you.
Exercise: “Your Aptitude Snapshot”
Individual Reflection:
Using YouScience results and the framework from Your Hidden Genius, each partner identifies their top aptitudes.
Prompts to consider:
What strengths come naturally to me?
How have I used these strengths in the past?
Partner Discussion:
Share your aptitudes with your partner.
Questions to guide the conversation:
What do you admire about my strengths?
How do our aptitudes complement each other?
Step 2: What’s Been on the Back Burner?
Now it’s time to reflect on what’s been left behind in the busyness of life and identify what to bring forward.
Exercise: The Back Burner List
Individual Reflection:
Create two lists:
Things I’ve put on hold for myself (hobbies, dreams, or passions).
Things we’ve put on hold as a couple (traditions, adventures, or shared goals).
Couple Discussion:
Share and compare your lists.
Questions to guide the conversation:
Which of these things still feels important to us?
What surprises or excites you about what’s on my list?
Interactive Activity: Prioritizing What Matters
Use sticky notes to create a “priority board.”
One column for shared goals.
One column for individual pursuits.
Discuss: How can we balance pursuing our individual goals while staying connected as a couple? What steps can we take to support each other while still staying mindful of our goals?
Step 3: Energizing the Next Chapter — Creating a Shared Vision
Time to translate your self-discovery and reflection into actionable goals for the future!
Exercise: Dreaming Big Together
Guided Visualization:
Close your eyes and imagine your life together 5 or 10 years from now.
Ask yourself:
What are we doing together that brings us joy?
What am I pursuing individually that feels meaningful?
How are we supporting each other in these pursuits?
Discussion:
Share your vision with your partner.
Questions to explore:
Where do our visions overlap?
How can our individual dreams strengthen our connection?
Activity: Building the Vision Map
Couples Create a Vision Board:
Use magazines, markers, and other supplies to visually map out:
Shared adventures (travel, hobbies, new traditions).
Personal growth goals (learning new skills, pursuing passions).
Ways to support each other (time, encouragement, collaboration).
Think of your vision board as a blueprint for building a fulfilling life together—what do you want to focus on most?
Step 4: Taking Action — From Dreams to Reality
Create a practical, actionable plan to start implementing the shared vision and individual goals.
Exercise: The Next Step Challenge
Individual Commitment:
Write down one specific action you’ll take this month to pursue a personal goal.
Example: Sign up for a class, start a creative project, or schedule time for a hobby.
Shared Commitment:
Write down one action you’ll take together to move toward a shared goal.
Example: Research destinations for a dream trip or join a local club together.
Support Strategies:
Discuss how to support each other’s goals:
How can I encourage you in achieving your goals?
What do you need from me to stay motivated and engaged?
Accountability Agreements:
Set a time for a check-in conversation to review progress in moving towards achieving your goals and adjust plans as needed.