Am I Soiling My Nest?

I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago and she was telling me her soon to be college freshman has been acting out. She has been disagreeable, argumentative, and a general pain. I told her I've heard of this phenomenon before... It's called Soiling the Nest. What does "Soiling the Nest" even mean? According to the professionals, this is what occurs when a teenager is preparing to leave for college, or leave the nest so to speak. Leading up to the day they leave, the soon to be college kid's behavior changes and they become moodier and more disagreeable. This makes the transition easier because as parents, we are done with the behavior and feel ready for them to leave, which deep down is the goal of the teenager. I myself am lucky and have not had this with my younger daughter who is currently preparing to leave for school in the fall. If anything, we are closer than ever and I am so thankful.

Crazy enough though, I feel like I am the one soiling the nest because I too will be leaving in the fall. I have become moodier, less social and more introverted than I thought possible for myself. It has taken me longer to recharge my social battery after I do go out and that is so unlike me... I wonder, am I trying to make things easier on my friends and family for my inevitable departure by not being available? Maybe preparing them for the fact that I won't be here anymore? I know what many of you are thinking at this point... I know I'm not dying and obviously I know I will still be able to visit and talk on the phone, but it doesn't make this process any easier. Remember, I have lived my entire life thus far within a 30 mile range, so this move has really been messing with my head and my emotions. I will see what the next 3 months bring as moving day quickly approaches. Being out with friends and family is what I truly want to be doing, not staying home by myself and further soiling the nest.

Has anyone else had this phenomenon happen to them? Send me a message if you have and share your experience.