Homebody at Heart
So many of you have requested more military life posts and I know I’ve been slacking in that area. I think they just take a lot more brain power than style posts, and I definitely didn’t want to throw something up just for the heck of it. Now that I’m back home and in a better headspace, I’m going to start sharing more on the topic. Over the next couple of months, I’m planning on doing a series on how to survive military wife life. Whether it’s long distance, making friends, or constantly moving, there are a lot of things that can make this life straight up hard. One of the hardest parts about military life for me personally, is the fact that I am a MAJOR homebody. Not in the sense that I only ever want to be at home or that I’d rather stay home than travel, go out for dinner, etc. But in the sense that I get extremely attached to people and to places. Which is not ideal when you’re constantly on the move. But I thought maybe I wasn’t alone. Today I’m sharing my experience on how to survive military wife life if you’re a homebody at heart, like me.
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Let Me Explain…
So let me elaborate on the whole “homebody” thing. Like I said above, it’s not about literally wanting to stay home at all times. I love to travel and go and do things, but I also love the feeling of coming back home to the familiar to recharge. For me, it’s the people that make home home, if that makes sense. My family and I are SO incredibly close. Leaving them and moving even as close as Arkansas was a shock to my system. We’ve been lucky so far in that we’ve only had to PCS (permanent change of station) once and that it’s as close as it is to our families.
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Since moving to Little Rock though, it really has become home. It’s where we got married, bought our first home, and we’ve made some amazing friends here. I truly love this place. When we found out we had to go to South Carolina, I was excited to get to travel to and live somewhere else for 6 months. But I don’t think I was ready for the homesickness I felt. It rocked my world and everyday I longed to be back home in Little Rock. Or even back in Mississippi with my parents. Just something familiar. It was an extremely difficult six months for me, especially at the beginning. And it was also a major wake up call.
This is our life now. This is something I’m going to have to do over and over again, and I can’t let it affect me like this each time. So I’m going to share some things that I’ve done and am going to start doing to help combat the homebody mentality.
Shift Your Mindset
While this is much easier said than done, the best thing you can do for yourself is to shift your mindset. I know, I know it’s not that simple. If anyone knows that it’s me. Just ask Kevin. I am incredibly stubborn when it comes to my mindset and the anxiety that comes with it. What can I say, I am a true 6w5 on the enneagram. Which by the way, if you don’t know what your enneagram type is, I highly recommend taking the test to find out. It will help you understand yourself SO much better. I could talk all day about it, but I’ll save that for another time.
When I say shift your mindset, I really just mean try to look on the bright side. Remind yourself that you’re getting the opportunity to do things that others only dream of when it comes to seeing the world and having those experiences with your favorite person. Try to view your next move as an adventure. Remind yourself that this lifestyle isn’t forever. The last thing you want to do is wish your life away because you are uncomfortable with your current circumstances.
“The last thing you want to do is wish your life away because you are uncomfortable with your current circumstances.”
Learn To Make Home Wherever You Are
This was really hard for me too, because I am very much a creature of habit. I get set in my ways and I don’t like major change. But if you’re a military wife, you know by now change is the name of the game. When we moved to South Carolina I felt like I was grieving all the things and people I left behind. Because it was comfortable and familiar. I’ve learned that the little things really do make all the difference.
When moving to a knew station, whether it’s permanent or not, take the opportunity to clean out your belongings and start fresh. Nothing relieves stress more for me than decluttering. Then redecorate your new place, filling it with all of the things that remind you of home. If you’re super close to family or friends you’ve left behind, make it a point to call them often. Even everyday if you want. That was one of the things that made our time in SC a little more bearable for me.
Get To Know Your Surroundings + Get Involved
The sooner you get accustomed to your new surroundings, the sooner things will start to feel more normal. Don’t isolate yourself at home. Instead, take a drive with your spouse and get to know the area. Find a few new go-to spots for brunch, date night, grocery shopping, church, yoga, etc. Also get involved in local events like farmers markets and volunteer programs. Getting plugged in to places like church or a good yoga class are the best ways to meet new people.
Also, try to get involved on base. It can be a little harder if you don’t live on base, but there are ways to do it! Find someone who understands what you’re going through. AKA, another military spouse. Nothing brings two people together faster than similar circumstances and experiences. Check back next month for a blog post on how to make friends as a military wife!
Get Into A Routine
Once you’ve settled in and know your surroundings a little bit better, make it a point to get into a routine. Wake up at the same time everyday and set intentional goals for your day and week. Giving yourself structure is a great way to get you back on your feet after a big military move. Make sure that you give yourself something to look forward to each day, no matter how small. Whether it’s a manicure, a cup of coffee, a shopping trip, a date night, or even just a chance to sit on the couch and do nothing. I’ve found that having things to do and look forward to give me a sense of purpose when I’m in a new place.
About My Outfit
We had SO much fun shooting this outfit last weekend. The weather was perfect, and as you can see, the sky was gorgeous. I love that you can see the city in the background too! This cute little floral midi skirt from Chicwish is one of my favorites that I own. I love the faux button details down the front and the color is my absolute favorite. It’s incredibly breezy and comfortable enough for all day wear, especially if you pair it with sneakers. I am wearing a size medium. I’ve found that the bottoms from Chicwish run a little small, so I do recommend sizing up one.
I paired it with this new pocket tee from Abercrombie, which has quickly become a new staple for me. You could easily tuck the tee into the skirt if you didn’t want to tie it up. Throw on a leather jacket or cardigan to take this look into fall! Wearing a size small in the tee and it’s on clearance for $8!
I really hope this was a helpful topic! What are your tips on how to survive military wife life when you’re A homebody? I’d love to hear them below + feel free to leave me any military related topics you’d like me to write about in the future! As always, thanks for stopping by today!