Distraught at Empty Nest

It’s probably been harder for you because you’ve helped your son through his illness. You may need a bit more time than you would have if he’d left under more normal circumstances, but it will get better. They never stop being your children, and I’m sure you’ll have lots of good times ahead. Just give it time. All the best for your interview, hope it goes well?

Candy6 do you have a pet, if not do you think it might help to have one, maybe a rescue animal, as another focus for your caring nature?
As far as the daily texts etc go, I read that as something your son chooses to do rather than something he feels he has to do. It's a big thing for him to have overcome years of illness and leave home, and as much as it's a great success for all of you he must miss you and value your conversations.

I am currently going through the same process. My son is almost 200 miles away and I have loved having him home over lockdown. But when he goes back to his flat I feel sick inside, can’t sleep and cry a lot. I am so proud of the man he has become but feel so empty when he is not around to the
Point that it is effecting my life and work. And as you say when he visits I or I go over to see him am dreading the point when have to say good bye. I hope are finding things better

It is hard though I did have a certain sense of relief when our last one left home. The one that really upset me was daughter number 3 who left very young to go and live with an older man in the uk. We felt she was making a huge mistake but she married him and eventually they came back to live in Australia. I still think it was a mistake and her life has been difficult to say the least but you can’t say anything. I wept over her though she will never know it.
All I can say is find lots of things to do and reach out to people be it voluntary groups, work, hobby groups or whatever. That works, believe me, though it is hard at first to make a move.