It's Monday. I’m not quite sure where last week went. I assume it passed somewhere between the emails, the research, and the nervous pacing I did. You may be like me. Does this sound familiar?
Your resume is done. But instead of feeling a sense of ease, you still feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world. Or, more accurately, maybe you’re carrying around the weight of waiting. You know, that twisty time between submitting your resume and hearing signs of life from the hiring committee.
For me, it looks like this:
After I’ve written my resume, sent my emails, and added another thing to my to-do list, I tackle the daily duties of life.
I start cooking dinner, thinking about my day, wondering if I’ve done enough.
I’m waiting to hear back, I’m waiting for the onions to brown, I’m waiting for the next change, the next orders, the final orders before I make my move.
For military spouses, this kind of waiting seems to be inevitable.
Your resume is done. But instead of feeling a sense of ease, you still feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world. Or, more accurately, maybe you’re carrying around the weight of waiting. You know, that twisty time between submitting your resume and hearing signs of life from the hiring committee.
For me, it looks like this:
After I’ve written my resume, sent my emails, and added another thing to my to-do list, I tackle the daily duties of life.
I start cooking dinner, thinking about my day, wondering if I’ve done enough.
I’m waiting to hear back, I’m waiting for the onions to brown, I’m waiting for the next change, the next orders, the final orders before I make my move.
For military spouses, this kind of waiting seems to be inevitable.
We’re waiting for the next PCS, for a TDY, for a deployment (or through a deployment). We wait for emails, for a good job, for a new career path that could work in this crazy life.
But if I’ve learned anything from military life, I’ve learned that waiting time doesn’t have to mean wasting time.
If you have 10 minutes…
Focus on the present.
“Mindfulness” might sound like a passing trend, but hear me out. We all get carried away by doubts about the future—about who we should be and where we’re falling short. But this time isn’t actually doing anything for us. It’s just making us feel miserable.
If you’ve done all you can to help your situation, focus on the present. Remind yourself of the work you’ve done, and breathe. The rest is out of your hands. You are only responsible for the things you can control.
If you have 30 minutes…
Tackle your agenda, and make it stick.
Waiting can feel like a full-time job. So, treat it like it is and organize your work schedule. Make a list of 3-5 short term goals, 1-2 long term goals, and then map out the rest of your week to see what you can do to work toward them.
After you’ve set up your goals and your action items for the week, schedule time for your friends, family, and any other responsibilities.
Then, take a breath, stick to your schedule, and stop worrying that you’re failing. You made time for your priorities to the best of your ability. That’s all you can do.
If you have 10 minutes…
Focus on the present.
“Mindfulness” might sound like a passing trend, but hear me out. We all get carried away by doubts about the future—about who we should be and where we’re falling short. But this time isn’t actually doing anything for us. It’s just making us feel miserable.
If you’ve done all you can to help your situation, focus on the present. Remind yourself of the work you’ve done, and breathe. The rest is out of your hands. You are only responsible for the things you can control.
If you have 30 minutes…
Tackle your agenda, and make it stick.
Waiting can feel like a full-time job. So, treat it like it is and organize your work schedule. Make a list of 3-5 short term goals, 1-2 long term goals, and then map out the rest of your week to see what you can do to work toward them.
After you’ve set up your goals and your action items for the week, schedule time for your friends, family, and any other responsibilities.
Then, take a breath, stick to your schedule, and stop worrying that you’re failing. You made time for your priorities to the best of your ability. That’s all you can do.
If you have 1 hour…
Consider your situation.
Go to a quiet place, spend some time with yourself, and check in. Don’t bring your phone.
I find it useful to think about categories—my health, relationships, goals for my future. I ask myself what my priorities are, where I’m spending my time. And then I’m honest. I take in my strengths, my weaknesses, and reflect so I can see where I may need some course correction.
If there’s something you need to let go of, take steps to let it go. If there’s an area of your life that’s neglected, make plans to bring it back into focus.
Time out.
Maybe you don’t feel like you’ve earned it, but you know when you need it. If you’ve gotten organized and have done all you can, then it’s time to take a rest.
When we’re waiting, sometimes it feels like we have to stay “on,” otherwise we won’t get anywhere. However, it’s important to remember that when you do reach your goal, a brand-new adventure will begin. You’ll need to be rested and ready for it.
Take the time and be willing to wait for it.
Story by Emilie Duck
If you have 1 hour…
Consider your situation.
Go to a quiet place, spend some time with yourself, and check in. Don’t bring your phone.
I find it useful to think about categories—my health, relationships, goals for my future. I ask myself what my priorities are, where I’m spending my time. And then I’m honest. I take in my strengths, my weaknesses, and reflect so I can see where I may need some course correction.
If there’s something you need to let go of, take steps to let it go. If there’s an area of your life that’s neglected, make plans to bring it back into focus.
Time out.
Maybe you don’t feel like you’ve earned it, but you know when you need it. If you’ve gotten organized and have done all you can, then it’s time to take a rest.
When we’re waiting, sometimes it feels like we have to stay “on,” otherwise we won’t get anywhere. However, it’s important to remember that when you do reach your goal, a brand-new adventure will begin. You’ll need to be rested and ready for it.
Take the time and be willing to wait for it.
Story by Emilie Duck
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