In my early 20s I had grand plans of building a successful marketing career.

But then I met my husband, who was in the military. And my budding career quickly turned into an assortment of loosely-related jobs and entrepreneurial efforts. After four moves and three pregnancies in four years, I became an accidental stay-at-home mama. 

Although I had gotten pretty good at unboxing and boxing up our life quickly, I was struggling to find contentment in yet another move, another baby, another “opportunity” to meet people and make friends. I felt like I had lost a little bit of who I was outside of being a military spouse and mama.

And so I began a journey of self-reflection – a journey to find myself again and to figure out how I could use my passions, skills and experiences to help others. I wanted connection, I wanted belonging, and I wanted to be the best mom, spouse and friend I could be.

I wanted to thrive and flourish, despite my current external circumstances. 

Through my time of self-reflection, I realized that I wasn’t alone. There were others that were struggling with the same thing.

Have you been there? Have you ever thought to yourself:

• • This isn’t how I thought life would look 
  • Am I wasting my life?
  • Is there more to life than sweeping the floor for the 10^thtime today?
  • I feel like something is missing 
  • I feel like I was given a set of skills and abilities for a purpose, but I don’t feel like I am using them
  • I want to make a contribution to the world
  • I want to connect with others 
  • I feel trapped
  • Am I enough?
  • Do I have something to contribute?

I get it. I’ve been there. Life as a military spouse and mama is unpredictable. Many of us have chosen to take a step back from our own interests and careers to make sure our families are taken care of, and that our spouses are free to focus on the mission. We believe in that mission too, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like what we do day-to-day actually matters.

I’m here to tell you that YOU, ME, ALL OF US, were made for more. We were made with and for a purpose. 

We each have something to contribute – something valuable to offer. 

“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others.” – Michelle Obama

And so Marketing MilSpouse was born. 

What I have to offer is myself: my story, my challenges, my lessons learned. Through stories of personal development, thoughts on marketing and entrepreneurship, and my life as a military spouse and mom, my purpose to equip, encourage and inspire you to embrace your story and begin a journey of impact. 

The journey of impact is an invitation to:

• • Shift our mindset so that we Free ourselves from that which holds us back into that which brings life to ourselves and to others
  • Flourish through purpose, connection and abundant generosity
  • Influence others by creating spaces of belonging and inviting them on the journey

Your story matters.

You can live a life of impact.

And together we can positively change the world.

This journey of impact will require investment, risk, courage, vulnerability, commitment, and consistent effort. These are all skills that can be learned. 

But mindset comes before skill set. We must start with a mindset that embraces growth and change. 

So often we let fear hold us back. We doubt ourselves and what we bring to the table. We talk ourselves out of doing anything different from what we’ve always done. This leads to a life of boredom, a lack of impact, and to feeling unfulfilled.

I know. There are many times I talk myself out of doing something. Like starting this blog. It takes vulnerability and courage to hit “publish.”   

But when we choose courage over fear – when we choose to GO and embrace a journey of impact – we open the door to freedom, flourishing, influence, and ultimately fulfillment. 

Fulfillment comes from contributing to something greater than ourselves.

Thankfully the journey is about progress, not perfection. It’s not about having everything figured out. I for sure don’t.

But vulnerability can lead to connection, collaboration and belonging. So as I build my story of impact, I want to invite you to come along.

• Maybe you’re living life as a stay at home mom and it isn’t bringing you all the joy you thought it would
• Maybe you’re working full-time and you feel like you’re just existing instead of thriving
• Maybe you’ve launched a business or side-hustle and you’re wondering how to find balance in this new season
• Maybe you’ve just started this military spouse life and you’re wondering what you just got yourself into

No matter where you are, regardless of whether you’re living the life you always dreamed, my hope is that you will be equipped, encouraged and inspired to live a life of freedom, flourishing and influence. 

On the journey with you! 

Christine