#EmptyNestSyndrome

As Thai university students increasingly pursue summer jobs or internships far from home, many parents are left coping with a complex blend of pride, sadness, and self-doubt—a phenomenon on the rise worldwide and now affecting countless families in Thailand. Recent advice columns and psychological research highlight a growing trend: instead of returning home for the holidays, many young adults choose to remain in their college towns, seeking independence and real-world experience, but leaving parents behind to face a sometimes painful sense of emptiness and loss (MLive).

Former United States First Lady and global role model, Michelle Obama, has spoken candidly about how therapy is supporting her through a new life transition, opening up an international conversation about the mental health needs faced by women—especially during major milestones like empty nest syndrome and the move into later adulthood. In a recent video clip shared by the Daily Mail US, Mrs. Obama revealed that at age 60, seeking therapy has helped her process the “hard thing” of completing a significant phase in her life, maintaining her family’s integrity, and launching her daughters into independence. Her statements—“I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning… I’ve finished a really hard thing in my life with my family intact, I’m an empty nester…”—illustrate the emotional complexity of embracing new personal identities after decades of family and public obligations (The Star).