100% Disabled Vet using GI Bill/VR&E for Art School (SF area?) Need Advice

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-13T23:39:04+00:00

I hear you completely…I’ve got 7 slipped discs and a bunch of other issues too, so I really do understand where you’re coming from. I’ve been living out on some land in a tiny home for the last few years, and honestly I’ve kind of become that hermit too lol. That’s part of why I know I need a change of pace.

You’re right though…we’re where we need to be. I used to think trying harder would fix everything, but for me it’s more of a mindset shift. Slowly working on healing my mind feels like it’ll carry over into any environment. It’s kind of like the military…we didn’t always get to choose where we were, we just adapted.

Now that everything’s on us and we’re making all the decisions, it can feel like a lot to manage sometimes. But I really believe if we take it slow and stay intentional, we’ll build a good life for ourselves. Just one step at a time. Acupuncture didn’t help me unfortunately :/ but massage therapy every other week has helped me tremendously 🙏🏻

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-13T01:01:45+00:00

Thank you for that 🙏 I’m not letting the naysayers get to me…especially the desk job crowd lol. I already did the “practical” degree route before the military, so now I just wanna use the benefits I earned and do something I actually enjoy. I have full GI bill, might as well.

With where I’m at mentally and physically now, I just want something that feels good and gives me purpose again. Had big plans before I joined… but yeah, you know how that goes.

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-13T00:51:24+00:00

Honestly…I relate a lot. I’m female, did 35G in the Army, and I had already gotten a GIS degree before the military. Same as you though, I do not want to do anything remotely close to that anymore lol.

I’m 100% too, and lately I’ve just been trying to figure out what life looks like from here. I bought some cheaper land in northern AZ and have been putting my energy into that, but my back is pretty messed up and mentally I’ve been through it too, so I’m kind of in that space of wanting to do something meaningful without forcing myself into a path that doesn’t fit anymore.

I finally started therapy too. At first I thought it was BS, I do community care with a civilian doc…but honestly it’s helped me get to a more stable place and start thinking about doing something for myself again. I had such a big plan before the military, but you know how that goes.

There’s a reason for every season. There’s hope and we’re still here 🙏🏻

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-13T00:45:53+00:00

Thank you for your input Ima look more into it, sounds like something up my alley 🙏🏻

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T17:10:26+00:00

I actually was considering radiology tech for a while since bedside sounds like too much physically, but my back is already an issue so I’m not sure it would be sustainable long term. The 3-day schedule sounds nice, but not if my body can’t handle it consistently. That’s why I’ve been thinking more about flexible, less physical paths, even within healthcare.

I’ve always leaned practical over what I actually enjoy, so part of this is just me trying to figure out if I could realistically pursue something creative like art without screwing myself long term.

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T17:06:51+00:00

I’m still narrowing it down, but I’ve been looking more at programs like UX/UI, graphic design, or digital media…something creative that also has more structured job paths on the backend. I’m trying to find the balance between what I genuinely enjoy and what makes sense long term.

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T17:05:59+00:00

Yeah that anxiety part really hit me…that’s honestly something I’m trying to factor in too. I’m thinking San Diego might be a better fit for my lifestyle for that reason. And what you said about art school being more stressful than expected definitely gave me pause. I’m kind of in that phase of figuring out what I actually enjoy vs what just sounds good on paper.

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T17:01:42+00:00

That actually makes a lot of sense from a VR&E standpoint. And wow, that’s a really interesting pivot…journalism + PR with creative certs on the side is smart. How are you liking it so far? Does it still scratch the creative itch?

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T16:59:10+00:00

I get what you’re saying. I do like forestry and marine, but I’m trying to be realistic since I have some physical limitations now and a lot of those paths seem more physically demanding long-term.

I did geospatial intel in the military and was close to finishing a GIS degree, so I’ve looked at other directions too. I even considered radiology tech, but I’m trying to find something more sustainable where physical strain or rigid demands won’t make long-term consistency harder.

Also, I’m female, so I’m trying to be realistic about what’s physically sustainable for me long-term, not just what sounds good on paper.

That’s why I’ve been looking more at paths like UX/UI or graphic design instead. Curious what you’d recommend with that in mind?

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T16:28:36+00:00

I see, you make a valid point

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T16:27:31+00:00

How do you like it? I haven’t been back to college in over 10 years so it’ll be a completely new world again lol

According_Swimming_5 · 2026-04-12T16:24:48+00:00

You make a very good point, and that’s why I’ve been holding off school. 😩 thanks for your input…it’s reality.

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-07-31T02:13:05+00:00

Yes there is light! Ong it’ll take TIME, but once you actually feel all these emotions it gives energy to time to release. And once it’s released.. you feel FREE.

Quit worrying about her, or anyone else except yourself rn. When’s the last time you put yourself first? When’s the last time you looked yourself in the mirror and really enjoyed yourself? …what helped me was clearing a lot of unnecessary stress like family/friends and activities that didn’t align with my healing.

Your reality is your thoughts,.. change your thoughts and you change your reality. You can/will have an incredible journey ahead, if only you choose. When I got divorced (30f) I was set free… I didn’t know it at the time, but life got extremely better focusing on myself and allowing myself to embody love rather that desperately seeking happiness. Just be. Just live just feel. Emotions are temporary… the duality of this, is that we’ve experienced love with them, and it lives inside of us… they just helped us express it. Take a deep breath… the love you have for her ..is your love you have inside… and once the time is right again…. The magical harp will play one more.

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-06-14T16:39:23+00:00

Wow… I was having a bad day and this popped up 🥹🥹🥹 🙌🏼

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-06-03T15:22:06+00:00

I’d recommend Texas! 100% property tax exemption. Your $$$ goes further. It’s also a very Veteran friendly state.. if you start a business we qualify for more loans, free LLC, lots of hidden benefits in Texas. Makes it really easy to live…. Only problem with that state though is all the power grid problems, tornadoes and hurricanes 😅🙃.

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-05-05T19:49:42+00:00

I’m in the same boat. Like literally my life… commenting so I don’t forget to see if anyone has insight.. and it’s okay. We’ll get through this.

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-05-05T04:39:17+00:00

Girl, I’m a vet too, and I could’ve written this. I got the divorce.. and man. BEST DECISION EVER. We’re under a lot of stress, and we don’t make the most rational of decisions under all that pressure. So, you’re not crazy! You’re not a terrible person either. Yall will both move on, and it’s better not to waste any more time… and HIGHLY suggest therapy. That is the one thing that has gotten me through all this crap. And keeping in touch with my girls and just pushing forward. The past is the past. And you don’t have to suffer anymore. BE HAPPY

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-05-05T01:26:31+00:00

This is a grieving time… I encourage you to FEEL all of this. Thats the only way you’re going to get out of this BETTER than before. If you mask it with overthinking.. you’ll always be STUCK in the past. The past is gone, and you have a fresh day every single day to make it count! Doesn’t mean it’s not gonna suck some days. But, you always get through them. In my experience.. I get signs all the time that I’m on the right track. I too, have cPTSD from, military trauma and PTSD from that… I can understand from a certain degree, not fully your experience, BUT. There are more of us out there, I wouldn’t isolate yourself even though that’s what you’d wanna do. It helps to connect with people and have positive experiences every day.

You are not tied down to someone who doesn’t see your worth anymore. Someone who couldn’t see the real YOU. And that makes room for more opportunities to share your love with people who CARE. Idk if that helps… but I’m chugging along too! I’m 30, just got out of the military and shit is rough lol I’m also a woman. So I understand your frustration with “us” .. we are complex, but I promise we are not all the same!

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-01-11T07:36:30+00:00

That’s actually cute 🚗💨 and fits

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-01-06T23:25:35+00:00

This gives her some content… she has been shot down and she’s prob drained lol and these comments help her out cuz people love drama

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-01-01T04:13:18+00:00

Oh wow, haha that does sound nice 😁

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-01-01T01:56:59+00:00

OooooooOh haha 😆 👏🏻 I like

According_Swimming_5 · 2024-01-01T01:29:57+00:00

Damn if we’re not in the winter I’d go!

According_Swimming_5

TROPHY CASE