Finding Mindfulness in the Familiar: A Veterans’ Guide to Mental Well-Being

One of the greatest challenges veterans face upon returning to civilian life is the sudden disconnect from the structures that gave their lives meaning. The order, discipline, and unity they experienced during their service are abruptly replaced by a chaotic, disjointed civilian world. This transition can breed anxiety, confusion, and a profound sense of aimlessness. In such moments, it’s critical to adopt practices that are not alien or strange, but that call us back to the core of who we are—practices rooted in familiarity, safety, and meaning.

Mindfulness, in this context, cannot simply be a forced imposition of techniques foreign to the veteran’s lived experience. If it is, then mindfulness risks becoming just another disorienting factor. What’s required is a mindfulness approach that integrates deeply with veterans’ histories and psychological realities. Veterans shouldn’t be asked to “leave behind” what they know; rather, they should be encouraged to lean into those practices that evoke a sense of order, responsibility, and calm, and that remind them of their service and the values they embody.

It creates a healing effect, 20 yards or meters at a time.

Why the Familiar Matters

Mindfulness, as commonly taught, often involves foreign concepts: meditation techniques borrowed from distant cultures or abstract mental exercises that seem irrelevant to those who have lived through the harsh realities of combat. It can seem absurd, even insulting, to suggest that veterans sit in a quiet room and focus on their breath when their minds are crowded with memories of life-or-death moments, destruction, or perhaps abuse and bullying.

But mindfulness, at its core, doesn’t have to be foreign—it doesn’t have to involve retreating into abstract spiritual practices disconnected from lived reality. For veterans, true mindfulness must begin with the familiar, with activities that remind them of the discipline, focus, and precision they cultivated in service.

Consider range practice, for instance. On the surface, it might seem like just a physical activity, an exercise in precision and control. But for many veterans, the range is a place of mental clarity. It’s a space where order is restored, where distractions fall away, and where the mind and body are harmonised in the pursuit of a clearly defined goal. The range is not just a place to sharpen shooting skills; it’s a deeply meditative practice.

The Archery Range: An Art of Mindfulness

Take archery, for example. Archery, like many forms of range practice, demands a level of focus that inherently promotes mindfulness. The act of drawing the bowstring, feeling the tension build, and releasing the arrow requires an immersion in the present moment. There’s no space for distractions, no room for intrusive thoughts. The veteran’s mind, often consumed by flashbacks or anxieties, can quiet itself. In this silence, clarity is found. It is instant, requires a strict routine and quiet.

Archery, as an art, also carries with it a symbolic significance. It mirrors the controlled tension that veterans experience in everyday life. The tension between the bowstring and the archer’s fingers is a physical representation of the psychological tension veterans often feel between their past in service and their present in civilian life. The act of releasing the arrow is a powerful metaphor for the release veterans need—an intentional act of letting go, not of the past itself, but of its chaotic grip on the present. It creates a healing effect, 20 yards or meters at a time as you shoot, walk, think, process, retrieve arrows, compose and shoot again.

In this way, the archery range becomes more than just a physical space. It transforms into a mental and spiritual space where veterans can engage with their past in a controlled, meaningful way. It becomes a place to build mindfulness without needing to abandon or reject what they know, but by integrating their knowledge and skills into a therapeutic practice.

The Power of Symbolic Practices

There’s a reason why veterans are often drawn to activities like archery, or even simple rifle range practice, as part of their post-service routines. These activities are imbued with symbolic power. They offer a sense of control in a world that often feels out of control. They demand attention to detail, respect for discipline, and, most importantly, a moment-to-moment awareness of action and consequence. This is the essence of mindfulness, but it’s mindfulness on terms that veterans can respect and engage with.

Engaging in practices that remind us of our service isn’t a form of indulgent nostalgia. Rather, it’s a way to anchor ourselves in a world that feels increasingly disjointed and alien. The familiar rituals of range practice can act as a buffer against the overwhelming flood of civilian life’s distractions. In these moments, veterans can reconnect with the core of their being—with the person they became through their service, without being overwhelmed by the trauma of that service.

Why It’s Dangerous to Ignore What You Know

It’s tempting, in the face of trauma or stress, to seek escape. Many veterans are encouraged to “try something new,” to explore uncharted mental territories. There’s value in that, certainly, but there’s also danger in abandoning the familiar. The familiar, for veterans, is more than comfort—it’s a grounding force. To reject it outright is to sever oneself from the very structures that provide stability.

The problem with many modern approaches to mindfulness is that they can inadvertently alienate the very people they aim to help. Veterans, who thrive in environments where purpose and responsibility are paramount, can easily become disillusioned by abstract practices that don’t resonate with their lived experiences. The solution, then, is not to force veterans into unfamiliar territory but to help them find mindfulness within the structures they know and trust.

Building a Mindfulness Practice Based on What You Know

So, how do veterans build mindfulness around what they already know? It starts with recognising the value in what might appear to be mundane routines. Checking and packing your gear, servicing the your equipment, tuning you bow, packing the truck, cleaning your and maintaining your equipment—these are not just tasks; they are opportunities for mindfulness.

it’s most effective when it draws on the routines, skills, and values veterans already know.

Here are a few key steps to consider:

1. Identify Familiar Practices: Start by identifying activities that you already engage in that require focus and attention. Range practice, for instance, is an obvious candidate, but there may be others—like maintaining gear or even the ritual of preparing for a day of training. These practices offer a direct pathway into mindfulness.

2. Create Rituals Around These Practices: Turn these activities into intentional rituals. Before you begin, take a moment to breathe and centre yourself. Focus not only on the task but on the meaning behind it. When you’re on the archery range, let the act of drawing the bowstring become a moment of deep focus. Allow your mind to quiet as you release the arrow. Let it symbolise the release of tension from your mind.

3. Integrate Service Values: Remember, mindfulness isn’t just about feeling calm—it’s about reconnecting with purpose. In each of these practices, remind yourself of the values you learned during service: discipline, responsibility, focus, and precision. Let these values guide your mindfulness practice.

4. Find Community: Just as you were never alone in service, you don’t have to be alone in mindfulness. Find a community of veterans who engage in these practices and share your experiences. The sense of camaraderie can greatly enhance your mindfulness journey.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

Mindfulness for veterans doesn’t have to be abstract or unfamiliar. In fact, it’s most effective when it draws on the routines, skills, and values veterans already know. By embracing familiar practices—like archery and range work—veterans can cultivate mindfulness in a way that feels authentic and grounded. This isn’t just about mental well-being; it’s about reclaiming control, reconnecting with purpose, and finding peace in a world that often feels chaotic. By grounding mindfulness in the familiar, veterans can rebuild their sense of order and discipline—two things that were never left behind, but simply waiting to be rediscovered.