Possible Clues:

• *Leave the nest
• Act as a proud bird might and find new things to do
• Individuals following 8 across, 24 across and leader of sedition get independence (6,3'1,5)
• To try new activities somehow was depressing? No
• Become independent ... as suggested visually by some of this grid's black squares
• Spear thrown over rocks to try new activities
• Leave the nest
• Prepare to fly
• Create empty-nesters
• Become independent