"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." —Mother Teresa
Is today a good day or a more challenging day? Is there something weighing on you that you are trying to work through and overcome? Life is full of ups and downs that we need to navigate - sometimes we get stuck. At these times, we can struggle with the low points and find a way to go back to normal. When difficult experiences inevitably emerge, you'll want to be ready to rise to the occasion. Your ability to bounce back after a transition or life event can be improved and you can build resilience so that the next challenging occurrence is easier to navigate. The more resilient you are, the quicker you are able to adapt to a situation and move forward.
Consider the following while you think about your own resilience:
1. Initial response
When something begins to trouble you, no matter how big or small, how do you respond? Do you bury your head in the sand, pretend it's not happening, and hope it goes away? Do you take time to assess the issue and reflect before reacting? Do you instinctively know that you can work through the feelings that are being brought up and trust yourself to have the tools to overcome the challenge?
Resilience allows you to approach the situation head-on, assess the issue, consider your options, and make a plan. You'll set out right away to resolve the situation early on before it becomes a full-blown issue. Quickly using problem-solving skills will help you avoid a major meltdown.
2. Reflecting on past events
Do you try to forget about your prior challenges? Instead, try applying what you learned from those experiences to help navigate present or future situations. When you reflect on what you've been through, you will realize your errors in judgment. However, you will also become excited about how well you managed some situations and reuse those same skills to make the right steps again.
Note: The energy required to try to forget something important draws heavily from your present resilience, wearing it down. Focusing your energy on the lessons and skills you have learned from past experiences builds your resilience.
3. Daily practice
Do you work towards accomplishing something that will move you in the right direction each day? Do you find yourself watching entire days go by while you sit and stay stuck in feelings of sadness, frustration, or anger? In order to increase your resilience, consider every day as an opportunity to do something positive, even if it's just one thing that brings you joy.
Note: On a typical day, this could be something as simple as going for a walk around the block and listening to the sounds around you, sitting in quiet meditation or reflection, or even just cleaning the living room. Your practice today could even be finishing a novel or calling a friend you haven't talked to in ages. What you do with your life each day provides meaning for you.
4. Your support network
Do you have plenty of friends and family to call on if you need something? Resilient individuals build a supportive system of people they can visit, call, talk to, and turn to whenever they hit troubled waters.
Potential Action: If you feel like you're all alone, start building your support network today by setting a goal to make one new friend within the next month. Reach out for mental health support, and find support groups on social media to find others who are going through a similar situation.
5. Who matters to you most?
Do you treat yourself as the most important person in your life? When you take care of your own needs, you'll be more resilient when a crisis knocks on the door. If your own health and living situation is at the top of your priority list, you'll be prepared to face any hardship, be it emotional or physical.
Note: Taking the time to keep yourself in tip-top shape physically and mentally builds your reserves of resilience whenever trying situations and events occur.
Challenges, transitions, and hardships will arise in your life from time to time. If you confront situations immediately, use the knowledge gained from previous challenges, and build your support network, you'll be on your way to constructing resilience for the future.
Do one small thing for yourself each day, and before you know it, you'll have accomplished your goal.
Inhale Exhale.
