How to Break Out of a Boring Military Spouse Routine
Sometimes military life is pretty exciting! You are days away from a PCS to a great location. Your husband just got home from his deployment. You have great friends and are able to keep busy, and life is great.
Other times, you are going to feel like your life is just one big Groundhog Day. You do the same things over and over again. This is especially true during a deployment and even more so when you have small children who are not in school yet. The days just come and go, and you can get a little bored doing the same things every single day.
How to Get Out of a Military Spouse Rut
So what can you do about that? How can you break out of your boring military spouse routine? Sometimes the answer isn’t a huge life change. You might just need one new thing on the calendar, a different routine, or something that gives you a reason to get out of the house. Start small and see what makes your week feel a little more like yours again.
Try a New Club, Group, or Military Community Event
Find a new club or regular meeting to go to. Have kids? Go to a local moms’ group like MomCo. Love to read? Go to that book club you heard about. There should be something you can go to where you can meet new people and enjoy yourself. See what your local Facebook pages have to offer. Look for events going on in your community. Get yourself out there and make plans to change what you do during the week.
“Sometimes getting out of a rut starts with putting just one new thing on the calendar.”
Add a Daily Walk, Run, or Workout to Your Routine
Make plans to go on a daily walk or run. This will break up your day and will keep you healthier. If you don’t want to run or walk, go to the gym or go for a swim. Working on your fitness is a great way to change things up. Have little kids? Find friends to go on stroller walks with.
Join a Playgroup or Parent Group
If you have kids, join a playgroup. If you don’t like the one you are in, join a different one. Keep taking your kids if they are having fun. You will get to meet other parents and you will have something to keep you busy during the week. If you feel each day is just another chore of getting through the day with your kids, a playgroup can really help with getting out of that dull routine.
Look for a Job or Volunteer Opportunity
If you are really bored with life, it could be time to find a new job. Military spouses can also use SpouseWorks for career coaching, resume help, job-search support, networking, and connections to military-friendly employers. Figure out what you want to do and how many hours you would like to work. Even working a few hours a week can help with your mood. See what works for you and start applying. Having a job is also a great way to meet new people when you PCS. You can also look for volunteer opportunities in your local community.
Feeling Stuck in a Military Spouse Routine?
You do not need to completely reinvent your life to get out of a rut. Sometimes one small change can make your week feel different.
- Add one thing to your calendar. Try a book club, workout class, playgroup, volunteer shift, or coffee with a friend.
- Get out of the house. A walk, library visit, new park, or trip to explore your duty station can break up the day.
- Give yourself something to work toward. A job, class, fitness goal, hobby, or trip can give your routine a little more purpose.
- Try something more than once. The first meeting or event might feel awkward. Give yourself a chance to settle in.
Go Back to School or Learn Something New
Did you start a college program and want to go back? Maybe now is the time to do so. Look up online degree or training programs as well as what your local colleges might offer. You can take one class or sign up for a full-time schedule.
Look into military spouse scholarships, education benefits, and programs such as the SpouseWorks Scholarship. If your spouse transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to you, those may also help with education costs. There are a lot of options for paying for school. If you don’t know what you want to study, that is okay; you can take some general ed classes until you are able to figure that out.
Plan a Trip or Explore Somewhere New
Take a trip somewhere. Maybe you can just go camping for a weekend? Maybe you want to finally plan that Disney World trip? Figure out what you can do and make some plans. You might need to take time off work or plan to board the dog, but make the trip happen. Taking yourself out of where you are can help break you out of a boring routine.
Visit Family or Invite Someone to Visit You
Taking a trip home can be very refreshing. You can spend time with your family, go out with friends, and just relax a bit away from your everyday life. Depending on where you live, your home might be a bit warmer than where you are stationed, and getting a break from cold winter weather can be good for your soul. If you can’t visit home, see if someone can visit you, and you can enjoy your time together as you show them your world.
No one needs to stay in a rut. If you feel like you are in one, there is a lot you can do to add more to your daily life. You should also keep in mind that deployments do not last forever, that duty stations do not last forever, and that you can wake up every day ready to make some changes so that your life can be a little more like the way you want your life to be.
What do you do to get out of a boring military spouse routine?
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Out of a Military Spouse Rut
What can I do when military spouse life feels boring?
Try adding something new to your weekly routine, such as a club, workout, volunteer opportunity, playgroup, job search, class, or local outing. Even one new activity can help break up repetitive days.
How can I stay busy during deployment?
Create a routine that includes things you enjoy, time with friends, exercise, hobbies, outings, volunteering, and something to look forward to each week.
How can military spouses meet new people?
Military spouses can meet people through spouse groups, MomCo, playgroups, book clubs, MWR activities, volunteering, faith communities, neighborhoods, jobs, and local events.
What career or education resources are available to military spouses?
Military spouses can use programs such as SpouseWorks for career coaching, employment support, education guidance, scholarships, and other career resources.