Deployment Highs and Lows

​Deployment High & Lows.
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Let’s be real there are more lows than highs, but let’s try and stay positive around here! Deployments take a ton of adjustment, especially if you are a newlywed, heck even a seasoned, military wife. 

High: New Experiences. This is on both ends, as your husband is now in a new place and seeing new things. What other opportunity would they get to go to Japan or Germany? Look at this as a positive, because they get to see different places. (I realize there are deployments that are in less beautiful places, but a new place is a new place, make the most of it!)
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Low: Time Difference. This can be a 7 hour time difference, or a 13 hour. However much of a difference is, it sucks. It will end with one of you losing some sleep time and your sanity, so try and work out the best schedule for your situation and try and plan out your days accordingly. I like to watch TV late at night to help keep my awake to talk to him.

High: New Responsibilities. I definitely saw this as a low, when first starting out but here me out on this one. You have new responsibilities on the home front and the opportunity to grow more as an independent individual. I definitely needed this kick in the butt, because I’m the most dependent person Haha. Having him gone, made me step up my game and take on these new responsibilities with a sense of accomplishment and it will feel good once you start getting a hang of it.
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Low: Assuming the worst. When you don’t hear from them or get a text back for several hours, your first thought is no longer ‘oh they are probably just busy with work’… You now tend to assume the worst is going on and fear their safety is at risk. This is a huge low for me as I get very anxious if he doesn’t reply at the ‘usual’ times I’d expect. Just take a deep breath and don’t think about it. Insist that they are just at work or sleeping, it will be the best for your mind and sanity!

High: Finding New Hobbies. When he left, I didn’t realize how many hobbies are really out there! Hobbies are not only great at consuming your time, but you find new and hidden talents you didn’t know you had. Some wives have even discovered new hobbies and made them into businesses, so the skies the limit.

Low: No personal contact. Don’t think a military wife would forget about that empty bed, no hugs, and no kisses. It’s absolutely dreadful, and it is hard turning this one positive! It is true with the longer the wait, the sweeter the kiss… Although, going without intimacy is easier said than done and no one understands patience on this like a military spouse.