Why More Military Spouses Should Blog
It still surprises me that many of my civilian friends don’t understand military life. They don’t understand ranks, the constant moving, or the role the military plays when they aren’t training as badass killers. They’ve never been on a military installation, been assigned living quarters, or speak fluent acronym. And even though they may never understand what a military spouse is, we more common ground than you think. One day we’ll be civilian spouses too. And that’s just one reason why more military spouses should blog.
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Why More Military Spouses Should Blog
Complying with OPSEC
I dabble in a lot of things but admit to being an expert in only one— me. And I journal online about my experiences as a military spouse, wife, and mother. However, many of my experiences are not that unique.
The fact is many of the above are Latin to new military spouses, too. Set aside a moment when the military speaks a foreign language— an acronym PCS, UAB, CONUS, etc… The only one you need to be concerned about is OPSEC.
What is OPSEC
OPSEC is operational security and means making sure you don’t say anything that could jeopardize anyone’s safety— uniquely my own. I don’t share information about my husband’s job or movements. And when we travel, I never share where I am until after I’ve left. Otherwise, blog about what you know.
A Unique Perspective
Military spouses have been the subject of many books and even a few television shows. Does anyone remember Army Wives?
How to decorate your military home when you move every two to three years.
Tell Your Own Story
Journal Online
Unlike the portrayal of Army Wives in Hollywood, my story is uniquely mine. Through my internet diary, I have the opportunity to share the unfiltered narrative of my experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—as I perceive them. This platform allows me to authentically document my journey and connect with others on a more personal level.
I’m an INdependent
Too often, military spouses are labeled dependents. And for purposes of healthcare, access to the Commissary or gym that’s fine. But, we’re no more dependent than any other married woman. And the notion that milspouses are leeches, ungrateful or incompetent is plain bullshit.
Many of us hold full-time jobs, and we all have our minds, hopes, fears, and goals. We raise our kids, go to school, and support our spouses far from family and, sometimes, by ourselves during deployments. So that you know, I did not say alone. We’re never alone. My husband is always close by in my heart, if not in proximity.
For Extra Income
Don’t start a blog for the money. Starting a blog shouldn’t solely be about financial gains. Although my blog needs to provide more income to support me, it does cover maintenance fees, technical support, and upgrades. Some months are more lucrative than others, but the true reward comes from pursuing my passion and purpose, surpassing all expectations. The blog connects me to a supportive community that remains constant even as my address changes.
Blog As a Creative Outlet
I am a storyteller first. Not the one, my sister, called me growing up, lol. I love to write about travel, but you are also an artist, poet, chef, gardener, or cat lover. The blogosphere has room for everybody with a passion. And if I learned anything— you are never the only one.
Stress Relief
I’m currently in the Quad Cities– where 4 cities converge on the Illinois and Iowa state lines. Enough said. I never wanted to come here. And although I rarely rant, I feel somewhat vindicated when others think and share my pain. However, for maximum stress relief, I prefer wine, lol. Although the Rock Island Arsenal wasn’t on my list of places I really wanted to go, I will find cool things to see and do– I always do. I enjoyed discovering interesting stuff and hopefully my readers will appreciate and find comfort in what I discover too.
To Establish a Routine
Establishing a routine is a crucial element to my survival for almost 30 years as a military spouse. A routine helps normalize the peaks and valleys of this lifestyle. And for the previous ten years, my morning routine has always included meditation, making the bed, and writing for this blog. I hope you enjoy it, let me know if you have a blog or are thinking about starting one. Put a link to it in the comments below.
For Family and Friends Far, Far Away
I started this blog when we moved to Europe because it was the easiest way to share our experiences and connect with friends and family back home. And you know what? Even though we’re not in Europe anymore, the blog continues to be a great way to keep everyone in the loop about our adventures and daily life.
To Connect with Other Military Spouses
There are many of us military spouses out here, but it doesn’t always feel like it because the military is like the real 1%. I consider myself blessed because some of my closest friends found their way to me through my blog. Others have become more than friends; they’re now my coffee, wine, or hiking buddies—especially essential when the Army decides to send you to unexpected places like Kansas.
To Keep Job-Related Skills Fresh
Engaging in blogging goes beyond just acquiring practical skills like time management, budgeting, and effective writing; it also nurtures a heightened sense of creativity and digital literacy. These qualities don’t just come in handy for blogging but can be real assets in different professional environments around the world, making you adaptable and ready for the challenges of the global workplace.
Highlight Causes We Care About
Starting a blog can be a powerful way to share your experiences, insights, and research about raising a child with autism or ADHD, providing valuable support and information to others navigating similar challenges. What you decide to write about might be helpful to someone else.
All Military Spouses Are Not Women
While I’ve only connected with two or three male military spouses, it’s important to recognize that there are approximately 100,000 men supporting their partners in all five branches of the military. Though a minority within the military spouse community, the voices of these guys are strong and valuable. If you’re one of them, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect — let your presence be known!
Calling all Junior Spouses
In many ways, new/ junior spouses are like our civilian counterparts. Military Spouse Blogs are a vast repository of information for the uninitiated military spouses. Military spouses record their experiences because they are the most significant source of information. Milspouse blogs are a judgment-free zone to find and disseminate information, share good practices, and express ourselves— a.k .a. vent, rant, or stomp our feet.
Beautiful Places
As a military spouse, I’ve traveled to 3 continents, more than 80 countries, and thousands of cities– some of the most beautiful places in Asia, Europe, and North America.
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Comments
This is really an amazing blog to read. I have a lot of friends have a military spouse. I love hearing their own stories.
blogging is the best way to use your vacant time wisely..coz it has much benefits as it increases our knowledge….This is an amazing blog…
I completely agree! I have a few friends that are military spouses and I would love to know more about their lives!
I agree with you! I think that military spouses offer a great and unique view of the world and I’d love to read more from them! My mom used to be a military spouse!
So true, we have so many perspectives, interests and skillsets to write from. No two will ever look the same.
It’s great to see a glimpse of your lives. And blogging is a very good use of your extra time. And you can educate us as well.
It keeps me sane when I can’t work or feel discombulated– far from home or from what I feel comfortable. It also offers me a way to connect with other spouses I probably will never meet and share our experiences while encouraging others to travel or just do something new.
It is consistent with such an extent that a great many people are guileless about military life. I am not a military life partner but rather I have a few family members in military.
The reasons you have given are enough to make a military spouse start blogging. The fact that many of your civilian friends don’t understand military life should not deter you from doing what you love.
There are an incredible amount of unique things to write about as a military spouse. I love that your advocating for more spouse to blog.
What an interesting blog. I really think you made your point and I loved how there are so many good things and only one bad thing the fact that it takes time.
These are all really excellent reasons! I love being able to learn about different people’s experiences and lives by spending time on their blog. It really is a great way to have the world expand and to bring others into your life, even when you’re far apart.
This is great! Blogs like this will be SO helpful for those new spouses that may be feeling overwhelmed or alone – helping them to realize that there are so many others who have faced and are currently facing similar challenges. I know that the military world can be like a different planet entirely at times (I served myself) but at the end of the day, you are still spouses like the civillian world, trying to navigate life together. Your life is just a little different at times with some unique challenges!
So awesome that you pointed out that not all military spouses are women. I always think about that! I would love to read a blog from the perspective of a male military spouse. It would be so awesome to read.
You definitely have an interesting life story to share. I can’t imaging what it must be like to be a military wife. It’s great that you found a way of expressing your feelings by blogging.
These are great reasons to blog. I am not a military spouse but I have kids in the military
It is so true that most people are naive about military life. I have quite a few military family members so I am well aware of the sacrifice and the unknown. I think military wives should blog. It is a wonderful outlet and allows to make other people aware of military life.
I so agree and obviously I blog! 🙂 I don’t always touch on military life though. Occasionally I will, but it’s also not my entire life. But I like to share my perspective on things–like not freaking out if a spouse deploys. It’ll be okay! I promise!
Good reasons for military spouses to blog. It is a great way to connect with those is similar situations as well as expanding to a larger network.
It’s certainly good to be able to offer an inside perspective to help others new to the scene.
Those are fantastic reasons , and i think there should be more of us blogging
I have enjoyed following your blog and do think that other military spouses should blog too….. to help them stay connected and share their thoughts
It would be nice to hear the stories of the spouses from their own perspectives
Blogging is great as a stress reliever and a creative outlet. Plus it’s a great way to stay in touch. My folks are fluent in acronym too 😉
I agree. I have friend who is military spouse and she never feels easy. There is so much she has to face and handle!
I’ve never really thought about these before – but definitely all key reasons to blog as a military spouse. Great motivation! xx
I really like reading your blog. I admire and respect you even though I know is not the same- I loved watching Army Wives ?
It still surprises me that many of my civilian friends don’t understand military life. They don’t understand ranks, the constant moving or the role the military plays when they aren’t training as badass killers. They’ve never been on a military installation, been assigned living quarters or speak fluent acronym. And even though they may never understand what a military spouse is, we more common ground than you think. One day we’ll be civilian spouses too. And that’s why more military spouses should blog.
I really enjoy reading your blog! You always share such insight and valuable tips. I agree that it must be a great outlet to blog as a military spouse.
Monidipa are you a military spouse too?
I love, love, love reading blogs and fellow military spouse bloggers are my absolute fav.
It’s always so great to connect with military spouses on the blog-o-sphere, gleaning different perspectives on how they juggle military life.