When you separate from the military, you may be unsure of your future or how to best spend your time after serving. Finding a new sense of purpose after military service is not only possible, but also important for your overall health and well-being.
Serving in the military often provides a deep sense of purpose and a built-in community. But what happens after you separate from military service?
For some Veterans, it can be difficult to find a new sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Learn more about the importance of discovering your purpose, as well as some tips for how to find it and what resources are available to help.
Why Is a Sense of Purpose Important?
A sense of purpose may look different for each of us, but for many it refers to your ability to find meaning, a sense of direction and a purpose for living. A sense of purpose doesn’t have to be world-changing or life-altering. For some, purpose may come from raising children or helping with grandchildren. For others, it may come from work, volunteer activities or pursuit of a hobby or talent.
According to the National Library of Medicine, having a sense of purpose may be connected to several health benefits, including:
- A longer life
- A lower risk of chronic conditions
- An increase in healthy habits such as better weight management and more sleep
- Less inflammation and stress
- Better glucose regulation
How Can I Develop My Sense of Purpose?
In the military, your purpose may have been easy to identify. You’re taught the value of service and leadership, and you’re surrounded by others who share a similar sense of purpose. When you separate from the military, you may be uncertain of what to do or how to spend your time. Finding a new sense of purpose is not only possible, but also important for your overall health and well-being. Here are some tips for getting started:
- Explore your motivation and inspiration. Think about what guides you or gives you the most joy. Is it your family or friends? Your job or a volunteer position? When you recognize what motivates you, it may be easier to identify your purpose.
- Volunteer. Volunteering can make you feel connected to others and help you find a purpose. Visit senior citizens, volunteer at an animal shelter or work with a Veterans group. Check out the compelling article TriWest Employees Give Back in Meaningful Ways to see how volunteering has impacted their lives. Use Volunteer.gov to connect to causes that inspire you.
- Connect with other Veterans. It’s natural to want to surround yourself with people who “get you.” If your military service is an important part of your identity, find ways to connect with other Veterans to keep that part of your life fulfilled. Your local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a good place to start. Many VA locations have a social worker on staff who can help you make connections.
- Extend your service. This doesn’t mean reenlisting in military service. It means fulfilling your desire to serve in a different way. You could seek a job in a service field such as health care or education. You could serve your community by coaching or helping with a local cause or campaign.
- Work on your relationships. Strong social connections have been shown to directly impact our physical and mental health. Try to find ways to connect with others – whether it’s family members, friends or new people in your community.
- Set meaningful goals. Setting a goal can help you develop a sense of purpose, as you work hard to reach it. Think about something that matters to you and create a goal that aligns with it. For example, if you value helping others, set a goal to volunteer in your community twice a month.
- Use your experiences. If you’ve had deeply impactful experiences in your life, you may be able to use them to find a sense of purpose. For example, if you’ve lost a loved one to suicide or experienced the effects of substance abuse, use these experiences for good. Start a phone tree that checks in on lonely members of your community or speak at an addiction recovery meeting.
- Get inspired by others. Check out this article from the Wounded Warrior Project detailing the stories of different Veterans who have found purpose in pursuits including culinary arts, personal training, chicken farming and more. In addition, the website “Make the Connection” offers a wide range of stories from Veterans who have transitioned to civilian life, retirement and more.
What Resources Are Available to Help?
- VA’s Whole Health Program focuses on what matters most to you and helps you figure out how to live a fulfilling life, set meaningful goals and find your mission or purpose. You and your health care team can develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs and goals. Whole Health includes both self-care and integrative therapies that complement traditional health care services. Consider options such as meditation and mindfulness training, life skills workshops, yoga, Tai Chi, acupuncture, weight management, cooking classes and more. Start your journey with Whole Health today.
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance offers many behavioral health resources, including Tools for Coping with specific tips and resources related to life transitions, career challenges, living with a disability and more.
- VA’s Compassionate Contact Corps connects isolated Veterans with volunteers who conduct weekly phone or video calls to provide socialization and companionship.
Use these inspiring tips and resources to find your sense of purpose and start a fulfilling future today!