Cut fabrics made a comeback in fun new prints and much-loved designs from our archive as the IKEA Museum and the Tyg home fabric collection celebrate IKEA's rich textile history.
Pursue passions and hobbies. Use your additional time and resources to delve into interests that may be less accessible for parents. Take a class, learn a new skill, write a book, or master a creative hobby.
Invest in your career. Without childcare constraints, you may have more flexibility to pursue professional opportunities, take on more senior roles, or even start your own business.
Create a legacy through service. Meaning can be found in giving back to the community. Volunteer your time or donate to causes you care about, whether it's through environmental activism, animal welfare, or mentoring youth.
Focus on personal growth. Invest in your own well-being by prioritizing self-care, health, and intellectual pursuits. Use the time to reflect on and nurture the person you were born to be.
While your friends with children may have different life rhythms, you can actively build a community that understands and supports your childfree choice.
Seek out other childfree individuals. Connect with like-minded people online through forums like Reddit's r/childfree or local groups on Meetup.com.
Nurture your friendships. Prioritize and spend time with your friends, both childfree and those with children. The flexibility of a childfree life allows for spontaneous hangouts, traveling for milestone celebrations, and being a supportive presence for others.
Expand your social circle. Many social hubs are full of childfree and childless individuals. Consider taking classes, joining hobby groups, attending local cultural events, or frequenting coffee shops to meet people with similar interests.
Unsolicited questions and judgmental comments are a common experience for many childfree individuals. Prepare some responses in advance to handle these conversations effectively.
Set firm boundaries. You are not obligated to explain your private decisions. A simple, "This is not a topic I'm comfortable discussing" works well with repetitive or intrusive questions.
Use humor. For those you are closer with, a lighthearted but clear response can disarm the situation. For example, "When I can afford both kids and avocado toast".
Reframe the conversation. Change the focus from your reproductive choices to your current life. Mention an upcoming trip, your recent work, or a hobby.
Remind them of the choice. For more difficult or persistent family members, remind them that your happiness is what is important. "I know you want me to be happy, and this is what will make me happy".
Being childfree often means greater financial freedom. Plan intentionally to enjoy the benefits and avoid potential pitfalls.
Spend and save for yourself. With less financial burden, you can choose to save for early retirement, travel extensively, or splurge on personal luxuries.
Create a retirement plan. Because you won't have children to rely on in old age, it is especially important to plan for your own financial security. Consider consulting a financial advisor to maximize your retirement savings.
Budget for adventure. Instead of budgeting for a family, plan your finances around your chosen lifestyle. This could mean budgeting for more frequent travel, higher spending on hobbies, or investing in yourself.
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-being-a-woman-who-is-child-free
https://unveiledstories.com/financial-planning-for-childfree-couples-and-singles-living-boldly-and-budgeting-for-adventure/
https://www.joinupside.com/blog/living-close-to-your-family/#:~:text=5.%20Avoid%20Expensive%20Travel%20If%20you%20live,be%20hard%20to%20budget%20for%20frequent%20trips.
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https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/complete-without-kids/201204/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-being-childfree
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https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-9451-6_13#:~:text=Similar%20to%20the%20women%20in%20the%20current,bad.%20And%20that's%20what%20we've%20done'%20(April).
https://www.clearblue.com/fertility/how-to-defend-being-childfree-by-choice#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20hope%20you%20understand%20that,devote%20their%20life%20to%20it.
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https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/oct/30/ive-chosen-to-be-child-free-here-is-how-i-plan-to-build-a-life-full-of-joy-and-meaning#:~:text=For%20people%20like%20me%2C%20who,clarity%20about%20who%20you%20are.
https://www.kidsorchildfree.com/post/breaking-the-mold-a-women-freedom-to-stay-childfree#:~:text=Some%20other%20ways%20being%20childfree,Positive%20Impact%20on%20Mental%20Health
https://completewithoutkids.com/volunteering-and-giving-back-as-a-childfree-person/#:~:text=Building%20a%20Supportive%20Network,parts%20of%20their%20chosen%20causes.
https://worldchildlessweek.net/sat-19-2020/how-to-enjoy-a-life-of-purpose-and-meaning#:~:text=Seven%20steps%20to%20creating%20a,4.
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