October 5, 2016, by Dixie Somers – Leaving military service and reentering civilian life can be difficult. But there are ways that you can ease yourself back into regular life while being productive and leaving yourself with the feeling that you have accomplished something. Below are five ways to help you adjust and feel fulfilled and productive after military service.
1. Volunteering
One way to give yourself the feeling of fulfillment is to help others by volunteering. There are a number of things you can volunteer at, such as collecting items for those in need, helping in a soup kitchen serving food to those that are homeless, or volunteering to help elderly people. Any one of these will leave you with the feeling that you have helped someone that needed you.
2. Getting or Finishing a College Degree
Something to consider when you reenter civilian life is what you will do to make a living. This often times starts with going back to school and getting or finishing a college degree. Some people know what they want their major to be, but if you are unsure, you should consider taking an aptitude test like Find Your Context. This test will help to tell you what your strengths are, so you can decide what you would like to major in.
3. Mentoring
There are a variety of mentoring programs out there that you can assist in. One of the most popular types is mentoring programs for at-risk youth. If you enjoy being around children and would like to help youth get on the right path and help them stay there, then mentoring at-risk youth may be for you. There are a number of different programs to choose from, but the most important thing is that you have time to spend with them. The time could be spent hanging out talking about life and life lessons, helping them with their homework, or playing games. Getting a child on the right track is an important task and one that will help you feel fulfilled.
4. Writing About Your Experiences
A great way to get things out of your mind while informing others is to write about your experiences. So many people will never experience what you have, so you can take the time to tell them about the things you have been through while possibly making yourself feel better by getting it off of your chest. If you don’t want to physically write in a journal, you can record yourself sharing your thoughts. Your words will be invaluable to others in the future.
5. Take up a Useful Hobby
Taking up a hobby is not just a good way to pass the time, but is also something that can give you something to look forward to and be passionate about. Furthermore, expressing yourself can help you to transition peacefully to your new life. Consider trying something creative, such as gardening, carving, woodwork, or painting.
Reentering the civilian world is a change from military life, but when completing these different things, you can give yourself a sense of fulfillment and productivity. Now is the time to enjoy your life. You deserve it.
AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, careers, and education. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.