A new year is just around the corner. For most people, this means New Year’s resolutions, family celebrations, and a sense of hope for what’s to come.

For military spouses, a new year brings hope, but also cautionary optimism for the unpredictability that lies ahead. From deployments to trainings to new orders that require another move, uncertainty lies at the helm of every new year. The fresh intentions we bring into this new chapter are what help us continue to move forward despite the irregularities of military life.

Military spouse goals for the new year can remain personal and straightforward. For example, one of my resolutions is to spend more time moving my body, whether through a dance class, hitting the gym, or taking a stroll along a park path. Resolutions can also be community-focused, for example, volunteering at a local food bank once a month or decluttering your closet to donate items to a shelter near you.

Draft your goals in a way that makes them personal to you, so you’re motivated to continue, even when obstacles get in your way.

Preparing and Adapting for What’s Ahead

Although we want to stick to our goals for the sake of self-care and continuity, the reality is that military life can disrupt even the best laid plans. Deployment cycles, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) timing, solo parenting, or career development disruptions are all harsh realities that can affect how we meet our goals.

• Deployment Cycles: Navigating life without your spouse can impact your goals for the new year, making it harder to maintain personal goals and self-care while managing a household on your own. It can also create obstacles for any relationship goals, as staying connected during deployment requires an even greater commitment to open communication.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Picking up and moving, sometimes out of the country, is never easy. If your goals are location-dependent, sudden relocation can impact how you pursue them.
• Solo Parenting: When the military calls, our spouses have to answer. Facing the persistent challenge of solo-parenting while they are away can take time away from personal goals and resolutions.
• Career Development Disruptions: If your goal is to explore a new career this new year, military life can limit your career development. From frequent relocations to skepticism from companies about the permanence of your employment, it can be hard to get a foot in the door when trying to pursue a career.

As we approach the end of the year, we must incorporate these unpredictabilities into our plan for the year ahead. Being adaptable to sudden life changes is crucial for surviving as a military spouse, and drafting your goals around those changes can help you navigate the ever-rolling tide of military life.

Instead of framing your New Year’s goals as resolutions, think of them as intentions for what’s ahead. Using a flexible framework to shift rigid resolutions into adaptable goals can make all the difference in how you respond to the challenges that military life presents. For example, rather than writing a goal to go to the gym three times a week, you can reshape it to an intention to move your body regularly, no matter where you are. Instead of setting a resolution to start a new career, try rewriting it to say that you will pursue a new skill that travels with you.

How ASYMCA Supports Your Goals

Adaptability is a strength, not a compromise. Using your military spouse superpowers to shift your mindset and overcome challenges will help ease your anxiety as you enter into a new chapter of life.

Organizations like the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) are here to support you through the challenges you face as a member of the military community, today and throughout the new year, with programs designed to help you meet your goals:

• Operation Little Learners: An educational program for parents and children aged 18 months to 5 years, where you can practice your family-oriented intentions for the year and connect with your little learner.
• Preschool Program & Childcare: Do you need personal time to pursue your goals and make progress on your resolutions? ASYMCA offers affordable preschool for children ages 0-5, as well as short-term childcare for older children, available at locations near you.
• Operation Hero: A free program designed to promote military wellness in children in grades 2-5 by helping them get back on track at school and home. This is a great option if any of your goals center around family-focused improvement.

Discover all your local ASYMCA offers so that you can take the time you need to work on your New Year’s resolutions. Military life is unpredictable, but you have support.

New Year, New Military Spouse Goals

The start of a new year may be filled with uncertainty for those within the military community, but it’s also an exciting challenge. Learning to adapt gives us the courage to face our challenges head-on. As the new year unfolds, take time to reflect on all that you have overcome in the past year and bring intention to your new goals.

Rely on support systems like those offered by ASYMCA programs, which strengthen your resilience throughout the new year and beyond. Whether it be through their childcare programs, family events, or food assistance, do not be afraid to reach out for help. Stay strong this year and remember that you are never alone. You are worthy. Your goals are worthy.

Learn more about ASYMCA programs that empower military families to thrive.

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