Nobody Can Be Youier than YOU =)

I.have.a.job – YAY! In fact, I have been working for a month now…it is SUCH a relief to have more funds coming in than going out (Budget 101)! AND, our townhouse got rented and our tenants are moving in this month =)


So, my last post, I spoke to not becoming lost in being an Army wife…it is honestly something I have recently been struggling with more than I let on to those around me. I find solace in maintaining my own identity and I know that it is important that I do so in order to stay sane! Military wives must learn to balance independence and dependence on the long and short term…I have recently heard that it is not the separation part that kills you, but the being reunited part. Separation can make a good marriage better and a bad marriage worse.

So, here is a list of things that may help YOU keep your identity…or create your own…or at least help you get involved in something that is all about YOU:

1) Go BACK to school (or start going!) – I have a double bachelors degree in Business Administration and Accounting, I am CPA eligible (but am horrified of taking the state test…fear of failure – we will touch on this later!) I have always wanted my Masters Degree – but NOT in Accounting. So, I decided to do a little internet digging, and I found Liberty University. I am starting my Masters in Management and Leadership this fall. The best part is that they cater to military / military families and I am getting a ridiculously LOW rate per credit hour for a graduate level course =)

2) Start writing (a blog, a news column, or write a soldier!) – SHARE your experiences! You aren’t doing anybody any favors when you keep it to yourself. I recently submitted my blog to the spousebuzz blog to be a guest writer…we shall see if I get an invite to be a weekend writer. If not, any military spouses out there reading this should check out their page too =) Their website is http://spousebuzz.com.

3) GET ACTIVE! Go the gym, take an aerobics class, canoe at your local park, learn to knit, take an equestrian riding lesson, make a home video to send to your deployed spouse, cook a new dish, go to a wine tasting, SCRUB your house (my personal fav when I am not so happy…went well with a glass of wine), go to the dog park. Don’t have a dog? I’m sure the local animal shelter can use your help ;-)

4) Keep your neighbors child(ren) for the evening/day/weekend. We all need a break…maybe she will return the favor when YOU need it most.

5) Pamper yourself. Get a mani/pedi, get your hair done, get a massage or facial…or both ;-) You deserve it!

6) What is the one thing you have always regretting NOT doing or completing? Start taking steps now to accomplish that dream – then, ACT on it! If it does not happen, you have nobody to blame but yourself…and if you tried and failed, try again. It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all…and now that I have said this, refer back to my #1 ;-) Like I said, we will touch on this later!

Whatever you do, just do not waste your life away with “tomorrow I will…” and “someday we can…” Tomorrows become yesterdays faster than we realize…embrace the day you are given and make it count! When you love and take care of yourself, that love bleeds over into your relationship(s).

XOXO