By Frances Brown, Operation Healing Forces Wellness Coordinator
Change is rarely easy. Growth often requires stepping beyond comfort zones, and the unknown can feel intimidating. Whether it’s accommodating an aging parent, sending a child off to college, preparing for retirement, or experiencing a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), life continually presents new chapters that test our resilience.
The good news? You’ve already navigated every challenge life has thrown your way—and that’s proof of your strength.
Embracing Discomfort as Growth
Life consists of stages, each accompanied by its own challenges and opportunities. Sometimes changes are subtle, and other times they feel abrupt and overwhelming. Our natural response to uncertainty is heightened alertness—similar to facing a dark alley or an unfamiliar road. These feelings of fear, doubt, or insecurity are normal.
True understanding of new situations only comes from living them. Just as you didn’t know how to ride a bike until you tried, you cannot fully know what a PCS, retirement, or other life shift feels like until you experience it. By reframing discomfort as growth, you can redirect focus toward strengths, possibilities, and opportunities for deeper connection.
Drawing Strength from Past Successes
You’ve already overcome 100% of the hardest days of your life. Each storm weathered proves your ability to adapt and persevere. Reflecting on these wins can bolster confidence when new challenges arise.
Kelsey McCabe, a SOF spouse, shares:
“PCS feels a bit like hitting reset. There’s a new house to make a home, new doctors to find, a new school for the kids, and even figuring out your favorite grocery stores.”
These transitions, though daunting, are opportunities to uncover resilience, problem-solving skills, and resourcefulness you may not even realize you’ve cultivated.
Taking Practical Steps Forward
Big changes feel less overwhelming when broken down into small, manageable steps. Instead of being daunted by the height of the mountain, focus on the climb:
- Write down the challenge you’re facing.
- Break it into smaller, achievable tasks.
- Celebrate progress along the way.
Military life often adds extra layers of complexity. As Kelsey reflects:
“Right after our PCS across the country, my husband left for a two-month work trip. Managing the change alone was overwhelming, and the burden felt heavy. Life as a military spouse often means facing challenges independently, revealing strength you never knew you had.”
Finding Strength in Community
Perhaps the most important reminder: you are not alone. Asking for help is not a weakness but a strength. Support from loved ones, colleagues, and community can make all the difference.
Kelsey emphasizes:
“What made all the difference for us was finding support and community amidst all that change. It’s the people who show up, share advice, and help make a new place feel a little more like home.”
At Operation Healing Forces, we are committed to walking alongside Special Operations families through big life changes. Whether through attending a therapeutic retreat, transition or immediate needs assistance, or other resources, OHF is here to ensure no one faces hardship alone.
✨ Remember: Growth and comfort rarely coexist, but change often leads to new opportunities, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
