No two transitions are the same. Returning to civilian life is a complex, often strenuous process that looks and feels different for everyone.
For some, the transition is a breath of fresh air that represents a new challenge, whereas others are fearful of their newfound freedom. Most of the time, it’s a mix of both.
If you find yourself disheartened, uncertain or lost, know that you are not alone. There is a community of fellow veterans out there, many of whom have been in a similar situation.
Whichever path you decide to take, your mental resilience is a crucial asset that will help you start the next chapter of your post-military life. As a veteran, you’ll likely be more familiar with resilience than most. Here’s how to nurture your resilience and adjust to change with confidence.
Focus on the Controllable
There are many facets to a military transition. From embracing a new culture to financial planning, some elements you can control, others you can’t. Focus on what you can do to make a difference in your situation. Energy spent thinking about uncontrollable aspects of your experience is energy wasted.
It’s okay to feel down or confused about life without the forces – what can you concentrate on in the moment that you can change?
Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can help alleviate some common mental challenges during the transition process, including feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious.
Dedicating some time to mental wellness activities like Yoga and meditation, even if it’s only for a few minutes at first, can make a world of difference.
Exercise
Mental and physical health are uniquely and inexorably linked. Exercising may help improve your mental resilience and pull you out of a slump, even when it feels like the last thing on earth you want to do in the heat of the moment. Moreover, it can improve your sleep quality and boost your confidence (the latter being a major struggle for many veterans, especially in an unfamiliar workplace).
Networking
When you have a network to fall back on, you never have to weather the storm by yourself. The value of networking for veterans cannot be understated – from uncovering new career opportunities to mentorship, a strong network can propel your post-military life forward.
How does it help build mental resilience? It offers you a support system through different perspectives. The broader your perspective, the easier it should be to look beyond short-term challenges.
We’ve been building a community here at Ex-Military Careers since day one, and our network has since grown to over 220,000 followers. If you’re looking for a place to share your experiences with like-minded peers, many of whom have made the transition out of the military, get in touch – we can help you start a meaningful new chapter after the armed forces: https://us.ex-militarycareers.com/
