The house gets quiet, the bins come out, and a single question sneaks in with the tangle of lights: what am I still carrying that doesn’t belong in this season? We lean into that moment with honesty and humor, using the ritual of packing decorations to spark a reset for empty nesters and anyone navigating a fresh start. The noise of the holidays fades, and with it comes a pull toward self-judgment—those sticky shoulds that make January feel heavier than it needs to. We unpack why that happens, how to notice it without letting it run the show, and what it looks like to put old narratives on the shelf so something new can breathe.

Drawing from personal experience of a career pivot and the transition from all-in parent to a new chapter, we map out a practical, compassionate approach to starting again. You’ll hear a simple framework: sort your last year like a storage bin—keep what strengthens you, store what doesn’t fit right now, and set down what drains you. We explore the difference between wisdom and self-judgment, how perfectionism disguises itself as responsibility, and why momentum beats polish when you’re building a next act. Along the way, we offer three reflection questions designed to lower the pressure and raise your clarity: which belief can rest for now, which pressure doesn’t belong, and which small part of you is ready to wake up.

This conversation won’t hand you a grand reinvention plan. It will give you space, language, and encouragement to make room for what fits who you’re becoming. If the silence after the holidays feels too loud, you’re not alone—and you’re not at the end. You’re between seasons. Listen, reflect, and then tell us: what will you put down to begin again? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find their way to a gentler January.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

It’s April—aka College Decision Month. Your teen is making a huge life decision. But have you stopped to consider your own?

Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encore Living Insider

Sign up for an Encore Roadmap Strategy Session with Dr. Thor here > Encore Roadmap Session

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

If you're an empty nester (or soon-to-be), now is the perfect time to ask: What do I want next? This episode is about reclaiming your power to choose—and giving yourself permission to start planning your next chapter, just like your teen is planning theirs.

In this episode:

• "My kid is making a huge decision—shouldn’t I be focused on them?"
  Yes—but don’t forget your own future matters too. You can support them and invest in yourself.
• "I’ll figure it out later."
  Will you? Or will you keep waiting for the 'right time'? (Spoiler: now is the right time.)
• "Okay… but where do I start?"
  I’ll give you one small decision you can make this week to start shaping your next chapter.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

Feel lost after the kids leave? You're not alone. Today I share one shift that can change your empty nest experience.

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Sign up for an Encore Roadmap Strategy Session with Dr. Thor here > Encore Roadmap Session

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

In this heartfelt episode of Encore Living, Dr. Thor unpacks a feeling many people experience but rarely talk about — that disorienting sense of loss after your kids leave home.

If you’ve ever said, “I should be enjoying this, but I just feel… off,” you’re not alone. This episode offers validation, perspective, and a gentle path forward.

It’s not a midlife crisis — it’s a midlife recalibration. And it’s 100% normal.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the empty nest often triggers identity confusion (even when you were “ready”)
• The unexpected emotional wave that follows years of parenting
• How to honor your feelings without rushing to “fix” them
• Why feeling lost can be the starting point for your greatest chapter
• A simple mindset shift to help you start living with more clarity and confidence

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/