5 Meaningful Hobbies for Military Spouses to Document Life on the Home Front

Being a military spouse during a deployment can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity to channel your energy into creative and meaningful hobbies that keep you connected to your spouse and document life at home. Here are five hobbies to help you stay grounded, capture memories, and share your journey with your deployed loved one:

• Photography: Capture the Everyday Moments: Pick up a camera (or just use your phone!) and document the small, beautiful moments of daily life—your kids playing, a sunset walk, or even a cozy coffee morning. Create a photo journal or share a weekly “home front snapshot” with your spouse via email or a shared cloud album. Pro tip: Try a 365-photo challenge to take one photo a day to share when they return!

  
  

• Scrapbooking: Build a Memory Keepsake: Turn those photos, letters, and mementos into a heartfelt scrapbook that tells the story of your time apart. Include ticket stubs, kids’ drawings, or notes from care packages. This tactile project can be therapeutic and gives your spouse a tangible way to catch up on home life when they’re back.

  
  

• Journaling or Blogging: Write Your Story: Start a journal or blog to document your thoughts, experiences, and milestones during deployment. Write letters to your spouse (even if you don’t send them all) or share your journey anonymously online to connect with other military spouses. It’s a great way to process emotions and create a narrative to share later.

  
  

• Videography: Create a Home Front Video Diary: Record short video clips of daily life—kids’ school events, family dinners, or even a tour of changes around the house. Compile them into a video montage to send to your spouse or save for their return. Apps like iMovie or CapCut make editing easy and fun!

  
  

• Crafting Care Package Themes: Turn care package prep into a creative outlet! Pick fun themes (e.g., “Movie Night” or “Hometown Vibes”) and include handmade notes, photos, or small crafts like a knitted keychain or painted picture frame. Document each package with photos to create a scrapbook or digital album of the love you sent across the miles.

What hobbies help you stay connected during deployment? Share your ideas below, or tag us in your creations! Let’s inspire each other to keep the home front strong.  #MilitarySpouse #DeploymentHobbies