How Freelance Writing Works for Me As a Military Wife

Moving. Again. It’s part of the deal when you’re married to the military. We’ve been lucky enough to call some pretty incredible places home over the years. The sun-kissed coast of North Carolina, the buzzing streets of New York City, the deep-rooted culture and turquoise waters of Okinawa, Japan, and the palm tree-lined beaches of Southern California. Boxes, bubble wrap, and the question, “Did we really pack three blenders?” every few years. 

Here’s the thing about this life: a military spouse’s life is essentially mobile, and so is freelance writing. My “office” doesn’t care where I am. All I need is a place to set my laptop and some reliable WiFi. My deadlines don’t judge whether I’m unpacking dishes or figuring out which grocery store actually carries decent coffee beans. My work moves as fast or as slow as I need it to. And that’s exactly what makes it work.

Home Is Wherever We Are (Plus My Laptop)

I’ve always told my kids, “Home is wherever we are.” Guess what? So is my job. One month it’s the dining room table of our home on base. Next month, it’s the corner of a hotel room while waiting for movers to deliver our life in boxes. Sometimes it’s a picnic table at a park, because I needed sunlight and some peace and quiet. The point is, my work isn’t tied to an office, a commute, or a single zip code. All I need is my laptop, my coffee, and a little focus.

Moving constantly is a gift, and in many different ways. Each new city and new base brings fresh inspiration. Coffee shops I’ve never been to, parks where the kids can run wild, strangers who become friends in a single afternoon. It all feeds my writing. Stories don’t exist in a vacuum, and neither does my life. Being uprooted often forces me to notice details, absorb new environments, and adapt on the fly. 

Thriving as a freelance writer means being adaptable. When your whole life keeps changing states, schools, and time zones every few years, flexibility becomes your superpower.

Deployments: When It’s Just Me

Let’s talk about those deployments. We know it’s a part of the deal. It can still be jarring when the time comes along. The house, the kids, the schedules, and all the day-to-day things land squarely on my shoulders. You’re being pulled in different directions, asking for help from people you’ve just met, and looking at the calendar wondering how you’re going to make it all work. Some days, it feels like running a marathon you didn’t sign up for. But, freelance writing is there, waiting for me to bend it around my life instead of forcing me into a strict schedule I can’t keep.

I can type during school hours, while the kids finish homework, or in between errands. Deadlines? Flexible. Meeting calls? Scheduled when I’m available. The freedom of freelance work is exactly what makes it possible to balance my job and personal responsibilities. It’s a reminder that even when my spouse is far away, my own ambitions don’t have to pause.

Why Mobile Work Makes Life Easier

Freelance writing is actually a perfect match for a life that’s always on the move. Here are some perks that make a mobile job a total win for military spouses:

• Work Anywhere, Anytime: Hotel rooms, base libraries, coffee shops, the front seat of the car, you name it. If you have WiFi and your laptop, you’re good to go.

• Flexible Hours: Deadlines don’t have to clash with PCS moves, doctor appointments, or deployment schedules. You get to decide when you write, edit, or pitch.

• No Commute: Every move comes with a new city and potentially a long commute. Freelance writing eliminates that, giving you more time for family, errands, or just a much-needed break.

• Income That Travels With You: Your work isn’t tied to a single location or office. Even across states (or oceans), you can keep earning.

• Adaptable Schedules: Projects can be big or small, short-term or long-term, which is ideal when schedules change unexpectedly. One week you might have a full workload, the next it’s a lighter pace while the kids adjust to a new school or neighborhood.

• Creative Ideas From New Surroundings: Every new city, base, or neighborhood offers fresh stories, new perspectives, and unexpected inspiration that keeps your writing engaging.

• Work/Life Balance on Your Terms: You can shift your hours around deployments, school schedules, or family events. Freelancing lets you maintain both career growth and family presence without one completely taking over.

• Portable Career Security: Even when your spouse is deployed or orders come in unexpectedly, your freelance career moves with you. You can step up, step back, or keep going, depending on what the family needs.

The “Mobile Office” Advantage

Here’s a little secret: military life makes me a master of the mobile office. I’ve written in:

• Numerous parking lots waiting for my kids to get out of practice.

• A local coffee shop with stunning ocean views.

• Hotel lobbies in states I can’t remember.

• The passenger seat during a road trip (hi, mobile hotspot!)

• An airport gate waiting for our next family adventure.

• On my back patio overlooking a sunset, while the sounds of the artillery echo in the distance.

And honestly? Each spot has its own charm and its own set of stories. That adaptability translates directly to writing. I can work anywhere, on anything, for anyone.

Making the Mobile Life Work

• Keep Essentials Ready: Laptop, chargers, notebooks, snacks. Always. You never know when you’ll need a quiet five minutes.

• Embrace Small Windows: Waiting for movers, school pick-ups, or even just settling in at a new home. Those tiny pockets of time add up, and so does the money.

• Batch Tasks When Possible: Outline articles in one session, edit in another. Moving is draining; batching saves energy.

• Let Flexibility Be Your Friend: Plans change. Orders change. Kids get sick. Freelance writing works around the chaos, instead of breaking.

• Observe Your New Surroundings: Every new neighborhood, base, or city holds story material. Inspiration is everywhere if you’re paying attention.

Why I Love This Life

It’s an adventure. Boxes and packing tape are a part of life. So is memorizing new zip codes, asking strangers to be your emergency contacts, and relying on Google Maps for a better part of six months. But this mobile lifestyle is freeing. I get to experience new places, meet new people, and keep my work rolling, all while showing my kids how to adapt, hustle, and embrace change. They see me write in hotel rooms, coffee shops, and even the car. They see me make it work, no matter the zip code or the distance from their dad.

Freelance writing can thrive in the military spouse world. We’re mobile, flexible, and adaptable, which is exactly what the job requires. PCS orders might be unpredictable, deployments might be long, but deadlines and creativity move with me.

So yes, moving is hard. Unpacking is hard. Remembering which box has the snacks? Hard. Deployments? Even harder. But freelance writing? That’s the perfect companion for a life that never stays in one place. 

Laptop ready, coffee in hand, deadlines intact. The cool part is, I can work anywhere, live anywhere, and keep chasing both family and career goals along the way.

Keep Your Freelance Life Moving with The Pajama Writer

Life as a military spouse moves fast and changes often. The Pajama Writer provides guides, tools, and resources that help freelance writers stay productive no matter where they live or what’s going on at home.

Get the support you need to turn random gigs into reliable income, work from anywhere, and keep up with family life, whether it’s deployments, PCS moves, or just the hustle of everyday life. Freelancing can flow with your life, and The Pajama Writer makes it easier to make it all work.