If you’ve recently moved to a new area for your service member’s next assignment, then you can relate to the feeling of ‘How do I make the most of our time here?’
Whether your spouse’s new assignment brought you and your family to a bustling beach town or to a remote desert town, the way you spend your time there is all dependent upon you. Enjoy this assignment to the fullest by delving into the following ideas.
Explore where you live
There is always something or someplace new you can experience, so don’t hold back from exploring at least one new thing every month in your area. Learning about new places within your town can make you more resourceful and more organized. When you know more, you are better able to make decisions on things like ‘Where can I take the kids to go swimming?’ or ‘Which store has the best price on dog food?’ Much like you had to get to know your spouse before you decided to marry them, you have to get to know your town before you can truly appreciate it, too.
Attend community outings
If you are a part of your military member’s squadron spouse club, then there is no doubt that this group will host get togethers often. You need not attend all of these gatherings, but do attend some of them. This is not just a great time for you to get out of the house or away from work, but to meet new faces that could become great friends for your time during this assignment or even friends for life.
Plan your weekends
Most of the time when moving to a new location with your military member that means the milspouse is left at home to frantically job search, to watch the children or even do both. Give yourself and your family something to look forward to on the weekends by planning ahead. Even if you just plan to visit the on-base pool or to go out to a nice restaurant for a family dinner, a plan is a plan—make it worthwhile!
Get away every now and then
So your military member’s new assignment isn’t in your dream location? That’s OK! Hop in the car or on a plane and go somewhere that is. This type of plan isn’t one you can afford every weekend, but it’s one that is necessary and you can treat yourself and your family to it every few months. There is nothing wrong with getting away for some family time or for a couple’s retreat.
Let the sun shine on you
Seeing the brighter side of things even when something doesn’t go your way is a huge feat. Living in a new place can be hard for a number of reasons—job searching, making new friends, waiting for your furniture to be delivered by the moving company, finding a new dentist/veterinarian/hair stylist, etc. Instead of viewing these sometimes daunting tasks as just that daunting, view them as an opportunity. An opportunity for you to stay positive even though you’ve already gone to two veterinarians and aren’t happy with the care either of them has provided for your sick pet. Keep the search going until you find the perfect one, and you will find the perfect one. Be persistent in your efforts when keeping your chin up. Just remember, it takes half as many muscles to smile as it does to frown.
By exploring a little, meeting new people and getting away for a break, you can truly learn to love any new place that you call home. It’s all about perspective and how you choose to react. Choose to be positive—it’ll only benefit you!