Moving across the country right as the last child leaves the nest is a recipe for an identity crisis. In this episode, we explore the "weeds" of major life changes the confusion, the loneliness, and the existential dread and how to find small moments of wonder within them.

I share my personal experience of moving from New Jersey to Minnesota and the trap of trying to replicate my old life in a new place. I discuss a specific "tale of two gym classes"—a Yin Yoga class where I tried to force familiarity and failed, versus a Pilates class where I entered with zero expectations and found a new passion.

If you are struggling with an empty nest, a big move, or just feeling lost in a season of transition, this episode is about letting go of what was to make space for what is.

In this episode, we cover:

[01:00:25] The "Booktrovert" shirt and selling a new city to my son.

[01:02:25] The "Weeds": Moving cross-country with an empty nest.

[01:06:57] The identity crisis: Who am I without the daily job of mothering?.

[01:08:57] Are we allowed to focus on personal struggles when the world is in chaos?.

[01:13:26] Establishing new routines (and getting lost on the way home).

[01:19:18] The Yoga Story: The danger of trying to replicate the past.

[01:31:05] The Pilates Story: The power of low expectations.

[01:33:55] Summary: Recalibrating expectations to find the wonder.

Join the Online Community Our Women of Wonder community is a safe place to say the quiet stuff out loud, free from judgment. Women helping other women is a tried-and-true approach for empowerment and success, not to mention laughter and love. W.o.W. offers continuous support and resources, plus access to Dr. Cristie, for a low-cost membership.

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#EmptyNest #LifeTransitions #MentalHealth #WonderInTheWeeds #Moving #PersonalGrowth

Online Community

Our Women of Wonder community is a safe place to say the quiet stuff out loud, free from judgment.

Women helping other women is a tried-and-true approach for empowerment and success, not to mention laughter and love. W.o.W. offers continuous support and resources, plus access to Dr. Cristie, for a low-cost membership.

➡️Join Our community: https://wonder.myflodesk.com/womenofwonder

Letting go of your college-age kids is one of the hardest parenting transitions. In this episode of Wonder in the Weeds, I'm getting personal about visiting my youngest son during his freshman year at college.

I explore the "weeds" of this new phase: the discomfort of my changing role, the "mama heart" instinct to want to fix everything, and the challenge of not "rescuing" him. I also share my experience of parenting a child who grew up with generalized anxiety and how that history triggers my own reactions, even now that he is a capable adult.

Using my "gutter guard" metaphor, I talk about how I'm navigating this new relationship. I share the "wonder" of seeing my son thrive, build his own life , and grow into an impressive, emotionally intelligent person —and the reward of becoming friends with your adult kids.

This episode is for any parent navigating the empty nest, learning to trust their kids , and finding a new, beautiful relationship on the other side of letting go.

Welcome to "Wonder in the Weeds" with trauma therapist Cristie Ritz-King.

This is the show where we talk about how to live, love, and grow right alongside grief, change, and the "wild messiness of this human life".

Moving beyond the role of the "blank slate" therapist , Cristie combines her professional experience with her personal stories of challenge and reinvention. We're not about toxic positivity or influencer-style advice. Instead, this is a space for authentic connection, community , and understanding that we don't have to wait for life to be perfect to feel good.

Each week, we'll talk about:

Finding "wonder" even when you feel like you're "walking through the weeds".

Navigating personal change, from parenting to finding your authentic self.

The "Weeds of the Week," where we discuss everything from small daily annoyances to the big things that bother us.

Sharing stories to feel less alone in our experiences.

Join us to get through the weeds together.

Let's connect:

➡️ Website: https://thewonder.life/

Online Community

Our Women of Wonder community is a safe place to say the quiet stuff out loud, free from judgment.

Women helping other women is a tried-and-true approach for empowerment and success, not to mention laughter and love. W.o.W. offers continuous support and resources, plus access to Dr. Cristie, for a low-cost membership.

➡️Join Our community: https://wonder.myflodesk.com/womenofw...

Recently saw a post from someone I admire that made me feel judged for sharing "regular life" content while the world feels like it's on fire. It forced me to stop and check my own reaction.

In this episode, I'm exploring the critical difference between toxic positivity—which I'm so against —and the intentional search for wonder. I don't believe in using joy to mask or ignore reality. Instead, I believe finding delight is a necessary way to "fortify ourselves for the fight".

I'll share why I've made a conscious choice to post hope and humanity , not because my head is in the sand , but as a way to combat the "constant barrage of bad news". Join me as I discuss how to manage these feelings, understand that our social media is just a "snapshot", and stay engaged without burning out.

Join our Online Community: Our Women of Wonder community is a safe place to say the quiet stuff out loud, free from judgment. Women helping other women is a tried-and-true approach for empowerment and success, not to mention laughter and love. W.o.W. offers continuous support and resources, plus access to me, for a low-cost membership: https://wonder.myflodesk.com/womenofwonder