Let’s be honest—some duty stations do not inspire immediate affection. Sometimes you arrive excited. Sometimes you arrive deeply skeptical.
Either way, home doesn’t magically happen. You build it.
The First Month Is Always Weird
New places feel uncomfortable before they feel familiar. You don’t know the shortcuts. The grocery store layout is wrong. Nothing feels settled.
That doesn’t mean you picked the wrong place. It means you just got there.
Claim Your Space Early
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect house—but you do need signs of you.
Hang pictures. Unpack the candles. Make the bed feel familiar. Small comforts signal safety when everything else is new.
Find One Anchor
One routine. One coffee shop. One walking path. One friendly face.
You don’t need a full social circle right away. You need one reliable thing that grounds you.
Community Doesn’t Happen Instantly
Military friendships take effort—and courage. Show up awkwardly. Say yes even when you’re tired. Introduce yourself again.
Everyone else is rebuilding too, even if it doesn’t look like it.
You’re Allowed to Dislike It (At First)
Loving your duty station isn’t required. Adapting is.
Sometimes home isn’t about location—it’s about creating familiarity wherever you land.