Transitioning from deployment or military service to civilian life can be somewhat of a culture shock. You\u2019re going from a structured military ecosystem to one that\u2019s jarringly less so. It\u2019s strange, confusing, overwhelming, uncomfortable, and stressful. You may even feel alienated or displaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Serving in the military is a lot like marriage, according to ex-Marine Brian O\u2019Conner. It\u2019s tough on the inside, and it\u2019s tough to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPost-military, after getting my MBA and joining the corporate world, something was missing,<\/em>\u201d he explains in his TEDx Talk<\/a>. <\/em>\u201cSurrounded by people, I felt like I was on another floating island, albeit deserted. And it turns out, as a veteran, I\u2019m not alone.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marines in Mindvalley, Peter Lucas and Jared Bull,<\/strong> went through similar experiences during their time in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an interview<\/a> on Mindvalley Tribe Talks (available for Mindvalley Members), they both shared their experiences with personal transformation<\/a> and how it helped them beyond the battlefield. What’s more, they\u2019re both now coaches, helping others with their growth and transitioning from military to civilian life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u2019re looking for some help, this is where personal growth can be of service to you<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given military personnel’s experiences during their service, it\u2019s not surprising that there are reports of emotional trauma. In a 2019 survey<\/a> by the Pew Research Center, 47% of veterans said they had \u201cemotionally traumatic or distressing experiences.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the importance of mental health currently in the spotlight, there are more and more open discussions about veterans’ struggles with health problems, trauma, and feelings of displacement and alienation, like this coverage from The New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thought I knew what real combat was,<\/em>\u201d explains Peter. \u201cThe war for my identity means that no matter where I went in the world, this thing that was unfulfilling traveled with me no matter where I was going. And I think a lot of people struggle with that.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A number of military personnel, including the Marines in Mindvalley, have turned to personal transformation to find their identity outside of the military and discover their purpose. And you can do it, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are three ways you can start:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his TEDx Talk, Brian, who is also the co-founder of Veteran Enhanced Technology Solutions, points out that the military focuses on developing comradery but not so much on the individual self. So, taking the individual out of the group is like taking a fish out of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re removed from the group, it can feel like the fog of war,<\/em>\u201d he says. <\/em>\u201cYou lose the ability to see clearly and tend to hyperfocus on things that aren\u2019t working, causing a downward shift in mood perceptions and experiences\u2026. And the worst thing is, this fog of transition is not only disorienting, but it can also be overwhelming.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Journaling<\/a> is a great place to start. Write down your journey and highlight strengths in each phase of your life\u2014past, present, and future. Answer these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your story is a great one and there are transformational and healing powers in sharing it, even if it is only with yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And as author Charles de Lint says, \u201cFind yourself first. Everything else will follow.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related read: <\/em><\/strong>3 Alternative Methods for PTSD & Healing From Trauma: The Latest Research<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n3 ways to live consciously after your military service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Find your identity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What you can do<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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