B.L.O.O.M.

One of the adjectives most commonly used to describe military teens is, without a doubt, "resilient." What does this look like in everyday life, though? How can you be resilient and persevere through life as a military teen despite all the challenges we face?

Being a military kid isn’t always easy, so let’s brave this journey together. Here at Bloom, there is a whole community of supportive military teens dealing with struggles similar to yours. Life already isn't easy, and as military teens, a load of additional stressors are added upon our shoulders. Continue to BLOOM wherever you go. Remember -- you are not alone. 

Look for the positives, even in unlikely situations. It can be easy to go down a rabbit hole of negative thoughts until they spiral into an overwhelming mass of uncertainty and depression. What’s much more difficult is fostering the ability to combat those dark thoughts. Take a step back, look at your circumstance through a different lens, and try to put a positive spin on your situation to gain a new perspective along with a healthier mindset. 

Open up to others if you are struggling. Know that you’re never alone in what you’re battling. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You don’t have to force yourself to bottle up your emotions until they get unbearable. While it can be hard to admit to others – especially those you are close with, as ironic as it may seem – that you are not doing well or that you need help, know that help is available. There are people who care about you and want to help.

Overcome the small challenges, one at a time. Don’t pressure yourself to come up with solutions to all the issues you are facing all at once. Break down the larger, intimidating challenges into smaller, more palatable ones, and allow yourself time to take things step by step. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed with issues that come up as a teen – from your social life to college decisions – and even more issues come with the military life, such as PCS's and dealing with TDY's, but don’t let that dictate your life. These small challenges can easily take over your thoughts and mood. Be patient with yourself and continue doing your best.

Meet new people, make new friends, and get involved in new activities. Doing so will make life wherever you are much more enjoyable. Making connections and getting involved in your area are ways to thrive in your environment. With old and new friends to support you along the way, you will find yourself making it much farther than you would otherwise.