Getting to a new place and calling it home is difficult for many reasons, including finding new places to truly feel comfortable. Milspouses understand this better than most as moving orders are a common occurrence for each home. There are ways to make sure your new station feels like a home. Explore our tips that will help you conquer your next PCS move.

7 Tips to Help You Conquer the Moving Process

First off, adjusting to moving is going to take time no matter what. It’s important to be patient, give yourself grace, and understand that getting settled isn’t going to be an overnight thing.

Furthermore, each experience is going to be different. Every milspouse is going to adjust to moving differently and every location is going to be different and feel different depending on who you are.

The key here is being patient, But, here are some ways milspouses can improve their moving experience and enjoy their new home sooner:

1. Do Your Research

To make your moving experience smoother, looking up things beforehand is key. Thankfully, it has never been easier.

Milspouses have plenty of resources, including social media, Yelp, Nextdoor, etc., that can aid in looking up places in their new home before they even move.

2. Get Involved

Getting involved is another great way to learn about your community and embrace it sooner.

When you are conducting research, dive into not only what locals love but look for your niche hobbies and explore what is available.

3. Reach Out to Your Milspouse Community

Chances are, you're not the only new milspouse in town and even if you are, you're certainly not the first to be in your shoes.

If you're new to an area after PCSing, who better to turn to than your fellow milspouses?

Thanks to technology, this is a step that can also be done before you even move.

However, if you prefer the in-person approach instead of relying on online chat rooms, forums, or social media, it's always a good idea to go where people are socializing right when you move.

This will look different for everyone but church, bars, playgrounds, the gym, etc., are all great places to start.

4. Personalize Your Home

As much as adjusting to your new home includes finding the right places to fit in, you mustn’t forget to make your house a personal sanctuary.

Whether you’re a social butterfly out of the house more than you’re in it, or if your home is a place you never try to leave, having your new space feel the right way is important.

Of course, bringing out your personal decor from your old house is a great way to start, but you may also benefit from making changes that better fit your new home.

5. Don’t Forget Self Care

Moving is shown to bring more anxiety than excitement and when you’re looking for new places to enjoy around your new home, negative emotions can cloud your mind.

Mental health is important, so it’s always a good idea to keep engaging in hobbies, downtime, and anything else that takes the edge off in a positive manner.

Furthermore, depending on where you’re living, since getting out and finding new places is already on your to-do list, be sure to embrace local outdoor recreation.

This will help you get outside and exercise, both of which are positive for your state of mind.

6. Stay In Touch With Old Friends

PCSing doesn’t mean cutting ties with everyone you know and love in your old home.

Especially if you have been a part of a community for a while and have established roots, you’re going to be leaving friends and even family behind.

It’s a good thing to make new friends and traditions but you shouldn’t let the old ones fall away.

Thankfully, social media, texting, video chats, and if you can, visiting, can help you stay in touch while enjoying some stability during your PCS.

7. Celebrate the Positive

Finally, even if adjusting to your move takes some time, remember to take time to enjoy the little things.

When things go right, acknowledge them, and embrace small wins. For example, finally finding a new coffee shop, learning a shortcut from your child’s drop-off line, or simply a hidden shop that just so happens to fuel your hobby.

It doesn’t matter who you are, adjusting to moving is going to have challenges for everyone. Whether you’re a part of the milspouse community or not, everyone can make military families feel more at home by reaching out once they’ve PCSed to your community.

Suggested reads:

• Exceptional Family Member Program: Benefits and Changes You Need to Know
• MSCAP Provides Fellowship and Job Opportunities to Milspouses