5 Tips for Veterans Who are Easing Back into Civilian Life

If you are a veteran who is looking to re-integrate back into civilian life, you may be struggling to find effective methods that allow you to do so comfortably. If so, we have put together a list of five effective strategies that you can start using today to ease the burden of the process and give you the best chance of transitioning happily.

Update or Remove Your Insurance Policies

Now that your situation has changed and you’re entering a new chapter in life, it’s a good time to re-evaluate the need of any insurance policies you currently have, particularly life insurance. For those who previously committed to a term life insurance, we recommend you consider selling this policy if you no longer need it. Essentially, this involves transferring ownership of the policy to a third party and you’ll receive a lump sum cash payment. This payment can then be used to further ease your transition, covering any possible rent or bill payments needed whilst you find a job. We recommend reviewing a guide on how to sell your life insurance safely and legitimately before you get started.

Focus on Self-Care

The most important thing you can do when easing yourself back into civilian life is focus on caring for yourself. The process will more than likely take time and be stressful at times, which is why it is important to listen to your mind and your body and take the necessary steps to ensure both are healthy throughout the process. If you find that, for whatever reason, your mental or physical health begins to decline, it is important to seek the help you need to fix this. There are many helpful sources and organizations that will be on hand to assist you, so take some time to research what is available.

Talk to Other Veterans

While we also highly recommend having a support network around you that does not consist of veterans and talking to them regularly, there’s no denying that, if you want to talk about any specifics related to your experiences, other veterans will be the best people to talk to. It is worth reaching out to others who have served and start making conversations. It may be even more beneficial to stay in contact with those you served with directly, as these are relationships that you already have nurtured. After all, building new relationships from scratch during a time that may already be stressful and challenging is not a good move.

Do Not Rush into It

Take your time and don’t rush anything. While you may be eager to get started on your new life as quickly as possible, you may be setting yourself up for more hardships down the line if you do not give yourself the time you need to transition. For example, some people recommend engaging in activities that mimic service life during the initial few months of civilian life, as it gives you a sense of normality in a potentially confusing world. This could be something as simple as meeting up with other people and going to the gym, as you would have done at base camp.

Find Pride in Your Service

Last, but certainly not least, find pride in your service. The memories and experiences you had during your service may be difficult to look back on at times, but they should never be something you try to avoid. Be proud of what you’ve achieved and don’t be afraid to talk to others about your journey.