It’s fall here in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia)! The leaves are changing, and the colors are magnificent!

We took our family on a drive to enjoy some of the leaves in the area because it has been a while since we have seen such a beautiful change in seasons like this.

The DMV really likes to show off its seasonal changes.

I have had way too many hot Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiatos at the local Starbucks on Fort Belvoir! What a yummy fall treat! 

When we PCS to a new station, there is a whole new area to explore! A friend of mine suggested years ago to a mutual friend who was struggling at a past station to make a bucket list of things to do in that area before you leave.

This was one of the ways that she tried to pass the time while stationed in places.

It is easy when you are struggling not to see any of the good that exists in the present moment.

We may feel like we want to hunker down and stay secluded from people or local attractions. This is exactly when we need to lean into our discomfort and try new things, visit local attractions or events, and attempt to enjoy while we can while it lasts. 

I was stationed at a place where others had told me when we got orders there that it was a “slice of heaven”.

I was so excited to get to this new station! Immediately after arriving, I went into a depression and my children started to struggle.

What we expected we would experience here was not at all like what we were experiencing. Knowing my tendency to want to seclude myself, I did the opposite.

I joined the groups; church, and school, and I tried to find a military connection. None of the tried-and-true things I know to help helped me in this moment. I can look back at those four years and know that I tried my best.

We did enjoy some of the local area, and we learned tricks for living there. If we ever get restationed there, I know that I would look forward to seeing some of those places again and would add to my bucket list of things to enjoy. 

Every station has its challenges.

Sometimes our service member works long hours at the job they are assigned to, or they are under a lot of stress at their job. Sometimes there is a lack of services to meet the family member’s needs.

Maybe it is a remote location, and it is difficult to find food that the family enjoys together. Whatever the challenge is, chances are, those things will affect the whole family. Finding ways to overcome the challenges and support the family emotionally is important.

Building practices into our lives that support overall good mental health are important things for overcoming the hard things that come with military life. 

There are always things that are out of our control that happen in military life.

Focusing on the things we can control can help us build better resiliency over time.

I am not saying that there is any kind of magic to this or that you will instantly never have issues arise, but I believe in routines and doing what is important to your family to undergird yourselves as a unit during difficult times.

For instance, some families really love game nights. They may spend an entire weekend playing board games which allows for a lot of family bonding. Others may really love being outdoors and may find walking or biking trails to enjoy as a family.

Whatever it is that speaks to your family is what you should make a plan to do especially when times are tough. 

There is also something to be said for when you go into survival mode because there is nothing you can find to grab onto at that moment.

This may be when you need to find others who can help you out to get through. I am confident that we are not meant to do life alone. I know that I cannot do life alone. I need people to bounce ideas off.

During different seasons of military life, I have had a community to lean on. I am thankful for those who stepped into my life when our family could not be there for us. This is the epitome of military life to me, spouses stepping up for one another, and our military members having each other’s backs as well. 

Look for those in your sphere of military life and see if you can support someone who may be struggling at your station or in your neighborhood. Even if all you do is bring them a coffee or lend a listening ear.

A very wise woman, whom I am lucky to call a mentor, often shares this quote that is meaningful to me,

“Little things don’t mean a lot — they mean everything!”. (Quote by Harvey MacKay)

I hope you experience all the good around you, and if you have a hard time finding the good, create it! You have the power to create good for those around you! 

*To read more of Anna’s posts, check ut her MM Author Page.