Self-Care Stories

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"Authenticity is the daily letting go of who
we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are."

Rebuilding Your Sanctuary In a New Home

I left my favorite shelves behind when we moved across the country. They were clean, smooth shelves that perfectly fit the space between the two windows in my craft room. They held my growing spider plants, leaving plenty of room for their leaves to cascade down. Below the spider plants sat art supplies, journals, and the trinkets and tchotchkes I

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women stressed

Military Life Stress: Does the Past Cloud the Present?

Occasionally, I’ll come across a quote that stops me. This one by Yung Pueblo did just that: “Ask yourself: Is this how I actually feel or is this my emotional history trying to recreate the past?” Wow, right? How many times have you told yourself that this time is going to be different? You mentally prepare for the sixth deployment.

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Three Reasons To Meet Your Military & Family Life Counselor!

What feels like a lifetime ago, I was sitting in a Battalion Steering Committee meeting when an older gentleman introduced himself as our new MFLC – Military & Family Life Counselor. It was 2009. I listened to his elevator pitch and learned about the relatively new program.  Apparently, we’d be seeing him around now. He was assigned to the unit

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Grateful To Work

And There It Was. That feeling that I should just be GRATEFUL.
Grateful that someone offered me a job despite the fact that we move a lot: three states just in the last two and a half years. Grateful because I have a few weird gaps in my resume and “inconsistent” work experience all over the country. I am an experienced journalist and technical writer with a master’s degree, and I felt guilty turning down a “junior to mid-entry-level position”.

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PTSD, as Told by a Veteran and a Military Spouse

My name is Annette, and I am the mother of two teenagers. I am also a military spouse of over 20 years and a Retired Army Combat Veteran. What some may not know is that I also suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I’ve been living with this since 2009. Some days are better than others. Some days I want

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Four Ways to Navigate Military Life as an Introverted Military Spouse

Our family just moved, again. The last duty station only lasted two years, this new one is only for a year, and projecting out, the next one is likely to also be only a year. For the introverted, stay-at-home, homeschooling, military spouse that I am, this is a challenge. It took me six months to talk beyond friendly hellos to

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Home

There’s No Place Like Home

I will never forget the first military ball I went to with the man who would become my husband. I was dazzled, enchanted, and nervous all in one. I was completely mesmerized by all the wonderful traditions and felt immensely privileged to be part of it. There were many speeches I remember; and I’d always sit uncomfortably during most of

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Angel ornament with Hope across her chest.

Being Strong Isn’t More Important Than Being Honest

If you’ve recently experienced a miscarriage this may hit a little too close to home. It may also be just what you need to hear.   A bathroom. I found out I was pregnant in the middle stall of a dirty bathroom in the base gymnasium. I’m pretty sure I was on the verge of hyperventilating. I was there to tag-out

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Writer looking into the distance

Losing (and Finding) Your Sense of Identity

Modern day housewife; a challenge and a blessing. I grew up in England and have spent most of my life there. Now I find myself married to an American soldier, living with him in Germany. Yes, that’s quite the head spin. I met a charming, lovely young man who immediately made me feel at ease. I could be myself around

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Honest Reflection: It. Was. Me.

It wasn’t a lightning bolt, but it might as well have been. Sweating it out, alone, in the “family” workout room. I was watching my watch, struggling to reintroduce my body to the bike after TOO many months away. And then it came to me, It. Was. Me. I know, it sounds a little cheesy, but you can’t change how

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Pride & Grit is a Trademark of Hinshaw Consulting Group, Inc 2018© and Pride & Grit Consulting, LLC. 2022© All rights reserved.

Pride & Grit is a Trademark of Hinshaw Consulting Group, Inc 2018© and Pride & Grit Consulting, LLC. 2022© All rights reserved.