6 Things That Make Deployment Easier
Deployment sucks.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Probably a lot of times. Why to know why?
Because deployment. sucks.
There's all these things that I totally didn't even realize that my husband was taking care of. For example, it turns out grass grows a lot, and really quickly. My yard low key resembles a jungle.
So while the universe has yet to develop a yard maintenance app (but I've been assured that I'm on the wait list), here are some of the tools I've been relying on during the first few weeks of my husbands deployment.
1. Amazon Prime
Words can't describe how important it is that I not be in a Target unsupervised when I am stressed out and lonely for my husband. Seriously, that is the path to so many weird things appearing in my house - like that one time I thought it would be fun to have all new organic cotton sheets (jk that was fun, and I regret nothing).
Amazon Prime = all the things I need from Target, delivered in two days. I'm talking dog food, treats, and all the cookbooks for bulk cooking that one girl could need. That means no excuses to buy all sorts of strange things from the dollar section, which means when I actually do go to Target for all their amazing home stuff, I can actually buy what I want!
2. Cladwell
Hand in hand with clean living has been minimalism - I don't need a lot of stuff to weigh me down mentally right now, and I've loved having a Capsule Wardrobe from Cladwell.
What's also been great about my capsule wardrobe is their app, Outfits, which helps me select outfits based on the weather, and what I already have in my closet. Because honestly - getting out the door in morning, packing up my dog, getting my workout gear together AND feeding myself can sometimes be hectic. Anything I can triage out, I will.
3. Notes
Talk about a life-saver, y'all. I use the Notes app on my Apple devices to keep track of everything, and because it's linked to my laptop, iPad, and iPhone, I have access to everything quickly, where ever I am.
Making dinner and realize I'm about to run out of an ingredient? I add it to my Grocery List.
Out running errands and see a book or article I really want to look into more later? Add it to my Reading List.
I've got an entire folder of blog post ideas, another one that's just for my book writing, scads of work information I might need, and a never ending list of projects for the house that I am perpetually behind on.
I love love LOVE having everything I need in one place - it's just one less thing to try to keep track of and in my purse. I know that there are a bunch of apps out there (free and options to buy) that do similar things, so maybe Notes isn't the best fit for you - but I'm all about taking advantage of the free goodies already installed in my tech.
4. Netflix
Do I really need to explain why Netflix is the lifesaver during deployment?
If you haven't had your partner deploy, you're probably already using Netflix for the amazingness that is TV shows and movies, ready to watch.
If you have had your partner deploy, you're probably well versed in all the ways that Netflix is great. Background sound, distraction from being lonely and sad, and the entire series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Cause sometimes, you need that reminder that you kick butt.
We also don't have cable, so Netflix is my indulgence. While I created a rule that says no more than 1 hour of TV on work nights, I still savor my time zoning out, and diving into some silly TV.
5. My Planners
While Notes keeps all my loose ends together, I'm still and pen and paper kind of girl. I actually have two planners, one for my daily to-dos, and one that's more like a diary that I use with my gratitude practice.
For day-to-day stuff, I use a StartPlanner - which gives me space to track how much water I'm drinking (not enough), keep track of my budget, my workouts, my blog posts and social media, and all the things I need to accomplish in one day.
At night, I use my Erin Condren planner to write down what I'm grateful for, set intentions for the week, and brain dump right before I go to bed. When my husband is home, it's the conversations that we have right before sleep - what our daily wins were, what we could have done better with. Writing it down makes me feel like I'm still connected to him, and it keeps me positive.
Also if two planners haven't tipped you off to this, I'm OBSESSED with planning hahaha.
6. Spotify
Sometimes, I have deployment days - you know, the days when you are grouchy and absolutely nothing seems to be improving your mood?
I have playlists for these days chock full of my favorite songs, all upbeat and mood changers, and with Spotify, I can check them out whether I'm driving home from work, in the office, or out for a run. I even have yoga playlists put together for the type of flow I'm feeling on any given day.
There's a ton of music and options to customize and create a playlist that works for you - and they'll even suggest a bunch of artists that you might like, based on your listening history.
Which is how I ended up with a Disney Playlist of recommendations. Sorry I'm not sorry, y'all.
If you've gone through a deployment, what are some of the things that got you through the first few weeks? Let me know in the comments below!
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