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Jewel was on Kelly Clarkson’s show with Kelly appearing virtually from home. Kelly was sick, which it seems like everyone is lately. People are acting like the pandemic is over when just about every illness is spreading including flu, RSV and variants. I’ve been sick for a week and a half now and I didn’t test positive for anything. Getting back to this story, Jewel is raising awareness of her mental health initiative, The Not Alone Challenge, which “aims to save lives over the holidays by reminding us that we’re not alone, and by providing free mental health tools to those without access.” Jewel has worked for years to bring mental health resources to those in need with her Inspiriting Children Foundation and it’s good to see her redouble those efforts. Kelly and Jewel talked about that, and about spending the holidays alone as single moms. That’s something I could definitely relate to. Here’s People’s writeup about that and you can see the interview below.

Jewel… talked about what she does with time on her own when 11-year-old son Kase spends holidays with their dad.

“I’ve been divorced for seven years, so my ex keeps my son for Thanksgiving and I have him for Christmas and it’s really great,” Jewel explained of her setup with son Kase and with ex-husband Ty Murray. “But it’s a trip to get used to being alone for a holiday like that and all my family are in Alaska.”

“But it wasn’t too bad,” she said with a laugh, joking she was going to “bring the show down” with “tiny violins.”

Clarkson admitted it’s “weird” when she sends her kids — Remington Alexander, 6, and River Rose, 8 — to be with ex Brandon Blackstock for the holiday.

“It was weird because you’ve always had a kid there,” Clarkson said. “And then all of the sudden, you’re alone.”

“At first, it’s weird and then you’re like, ‘OK, I can do things,’ ” Clarkson said with a laugh. “It’s kind of incredible. You do get a little me-time.”

Jewel agreed, noting, “I feel like it must be good preparation for empty nest syndrome.”

“It forces me to invest and I would do things before I had a child! I suddenly seem to forget what I did. I’m alone and I’m like, ‘What did I do? I did things,’ ” she continued. “But you get better at it.”

[From People]

Clarkson is actually a stepmom to her ex’s children, and I didn’t realize that she still has them with her most of the time. Those of you who watch her show likely know more about that. I could relate to this so much because my son used to go to Germany for Christmas and the summer to be with his dad. It was such an adjustment! I didn’t know what to do with myself and I’ve had the same reaction to my son going to college. Meghan’s Archetypes podcast on being a good mother and wife really captured this for me – when you’re used to doing things for other people it’s hard to focus on yourself all of a sudden. It’s hard to just be yourself. Your days, time and thoughts are filled with ways you can be of service to your family and you can’t just switch that off. It’s tough to realize that no one in your house needs you. That’s why I got a dog! I’ve heard similar stories from other women who find themselves empty nesters – they don’t know what’s next.

Here’s that interview:

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