Embracing Resilience by Overcoming Challenges and Believing in Your Strength
When Life Throws Curve Balls
Life has thrown another curveball my way, and it feels as though I’m expected to accept it as a continued lesson in building resilience. I'm unsure at which point you throw your hands up and say, "To hell with it all."
As I write this, I’m sitting on the lounge with my leg propped up on pillows, recovering from breaking my ankle and foot in four places. For the past month, the only view I’ve had is staring out the window at a bunch of trees, bingeing on YouTube or Netflix, and occasionally mustering the fortitude to write something. All this is against the background of years of trauma and heartbreak, and yet here I stand (or in my current case, sit) as a testament to my inherent resilience.
I often wonder how different my life would be if I hadn't developed resilience as a skill over the years. The trauma I suffered in early childhood could’ve led me down a more self-destructive path than it did. The continued trauma I faced in my adult life with destructive relationships, dealing with post-natal depression and PTSD did take a toll, and eventually messed with my immune system so much so, that I ended up paralysed when my son was a baby with CIDP and I spent six months in hospital relearning to walk and take care of myself, yet I picked myself up and ‘soldiered on’.
The past twenty-plus years I have spent in and out of the hospital dealing with one health challenge after another, battling medical gaslighting, and being poked and jabbed thousands of times with continued treatments to keep me abled body. More recently I’ve had to deal with losing my job, income and home and now this! At times life seems so cruel and I’ve wanted to give up, but something inherent within me kept pushing me to pick myself up and move forward.
Well, I do believe this is what the smart kids are calling resilience 😊
Continue reading as I explore resilience and how it can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Resilience as a Life Skill
Resilience, it I said, is the key to a successful and fulfilling life, it helps you bounce back from tough times and face challenges head-on. But what do you do when life keeps testing you over and over again? How do you keep believing in resilience when it feels like you're always getting knocked down? In this blog post, we’ll dive into why resilience is so important, the difficulties in developing it, and how to hold onto your belief in resilience during hard times.
The Importance of Resilience
Why Resilience Matters
Resilience is vital for personal growth and well-being, empowering you to overcome setbacks, embrace change, and advance in the face of adversity. Resilient individuals often achieve greater success, improved health, and lasting happiness as they navigate life's ebbs and flows more effectively.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." – Nelson Mandela
You may also like to read...The Healing Canvas: Art Therapy at Home for Focus, Mindfulness and Emotional System Regulation (starlahrose.com)
Building Emotional Strength
Techniques for managing your Emotional Well-Being:
Binaural Beats & Meditation with Ennora
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Facing and accepting life’s challenges is the foundation of developing emotional resilience, and effectively navigating through the different stages of our lives. If we develop the capacity to adapt in the face of adversity, manage stress and regulate our emotions, we can embrace life’s tribulations with a calmer and more positive mindset, which can support our mental and emotional well-being.
The Challenges of Becoming Resilient
Facing Repeated Setbacks
How can we maintain faith and resilience in the face of repeated setbacks? It’s easy to become discouraged when hit with one problem after another. Each setback can feel like a blow to your confidence and motivation, making it harder to keep going. I’m sure this rings true for many of you. But take a moment to reflect on how far you have come to get past the challenges you faced. Be proud that you made it through that challenge, or if you are currently going through a difficult time, take a moment each day to move forward that little bit and be proud of that single moment and each day build upon those moments.
Finding pockets of strength and moments of clarity is the key to moving forward. Breaking my leg has taught me patience and the importance of taking things one step at a time, literally and figuratively. Losing my job and home has forced me to re-evaluate what truly matters and to find gratitude in the smallest of things. Managing a neurological condition has made me more aware of my body and its needs, pushing me to practice self-care more diligently.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every time you do. Each setback, no matter how daunting, is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger. I’ve discovered that even in the darkest times, there is always a glimmer of hope and a chance to rebuild. But there is a process to moving forward, and that is to acknowledge where you are at in the current moment, feel all the emotions that your current challenges are evoking, allow your body to move the energy through you, and sit with whatever wants and needs to come up.
The only way I was able to move beyond the pain and suffering and stand in the presence of resilience was by authentically allowing the pain and grief to surface. I sat with it for however long it needed, then tuned into my body, heart, and mind to explore what it all meant to me and how I could move forward, regardless of what I went through.
Dealing with Emotional Fatigue
Constantly battling challenges can lead to emotional fatigue and boy have I been through those moments. Sometimes they lasted a few days, other times lasted months. This exhaustion can sap your energy and make it difficult to stay positive and proactive. It’s important, however, to recognise when you’re feeling overwhelmed and take steps to replenish your emotional reserves. Simple practices like journaling, taking a walk in nature, meditating, or even indulging in a hobby, or art practice can make a significant difference.
I've written several articles delving into effective techniques for processing emotions and regulating the nervous system. Please click on the links below to read more…
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Self-doubt can be an obstacle to fostering resilience and overcoming it is an essential step on the path to developing resilience. It's typical to question your abilities and harbour uncertainty about your capacity to surmount obstacles. The process of building resilience entails confronting and conquering these self-doubts while embracing and trusting in your inner strength. Is it easy? Nope, but is it worth it…totally yes! What choice do you have—wallow in self-pity, get stuck in grief or depression, or pick yourself up and believe that tomorrow can be better?
I'm holding onto the belief that tomorrow is going to be better.
Maintaining Belief in the Power of Resilience
Focus on Past Successes
One effective strategy for bolstering your belief in resilience is to take the time to reflect on your past successes and triumphs. By intentionally recalling specific experiences in which you overcame various challenges and emerged even stronger than before, you can draw valuable strength and inspiration.
These memories serve as powerful reminders of your innate capability and reinforce your unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. As I look back on my life, I have come to the realisation that with every challenge I've faced, the duration it takes for me to overcome and transition into a state of resilience has progressively shortened. Is that the gift of repeated challenges or is that the definition of resilience itself?
I've learned from personal experiences that the process of healing and transitioning into a state of resilience is intricately tied to my ability to authentically express and release my emotions. This involves dedicating time to carefully reflect on the full impact of the event or the situation that caused me distress.
During this reflective process, I actively seek to gain meaningful insights and understanding from the experience, which enables me to grow and learn from the challenges. By exploring and acknowledging the depth of my emotions and their impact on me, I’m ultimately able to find constructive and transformative ways to process and release them.
Set Small, Achievable Goals
Setting small, achievable goals is a powerful and effective strategy for building momentum and propelling yourself towards success. When you break down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks, you not only make the path forward clearer but also strengthen your belief in your own capabilities to overcome challenges. Each small success acts as a stepping stone, boosting your confidence and illustrating your resilience in action. This approach enables you to savour incremental victories, stay driven, and maintain unwavering focus as you strive towards your long-term goals.
Seek Support and Connection
You don’t have to be a lone wolf when it comes to dealing with your challenges and fostering resilience. Connecting with others can provide you with valuable emotional support and encouragement during these challenging times. It can be beneficial to confide in trusted friends or family members, sharing your struggles and seeking their perspective and reassurance. Their support can help you recognise your strengths and remind you of your resilience, offering a sense of comfort and hope.
Practice Self-Compassion
During challenging moments, it's incredibly important to show kindness to yourself. Practising self-compassion means taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate your efforts while treating yourself with the same level of kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend in need. This approach can greatly contribute to keeping your motivation levels high and cultivating resilience during tough times. Remember that being compassionate towards yourself is an essential part of self-care, and it enables you to navigate through difficult situations with strength and grace.
Practical Tips for Building Resilience
Develop a Positive Mindset
One effective way to cultivate a positive mindset is to actively acknowledge and focus on the positive aspects of your life. Engaging in the practice of gratitude, such as maintaining a gratitude journal or regularly verbalising thanks for the blessings in your life, can effectively rewire your brain to change its perspective. This shift in perspective can make it easier to transcend difficulties and view them as opportunities for personal and professional development. By embracing this mindset, you can develop resilience and a more optimistic outlook on life.
Engage in Regular Self-Care
To foster the development of resilience, it's crucial to make self-care a priority by engaging in activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Regular physical exercise, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and employing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing can all play a significant role in enhancing your overall resilience.
Learn from Setbacks
Holding a growth mindset can become a valuable skill to add to your emotional regulation toolkit. Viewing setbacks as learning opportunities and reflecting on what went wrong, what you can do differently next time, and how you’ve grown from the experience can enhance and foster your ability to transition into a more resilient mindset. This mindset can help you approach future challenges with greater confidence.
Final Thoughts
Resilience is a powerful tool that can help you navigate life’s challenges and emerge stronger. While becoming resilient can be challenging, especially when faced with repeated setbacks, it’s important to remember that resilience is within your reach. By focusing on past successes, setting small goals, seeking support, and practising self-compassion, you can maintain your belief in resilience and continue to grow and thrive. Life may throw you curveballs, but with resilience, you have the strength to catch them and keep moving forward.
Happy Journey into Resilience 😊
Starlah Rose
Contact
hello@starlahrose.com
© 2024 Starlah Rose
All Rights Reserved
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Contact
hello@starlahrose.com
© 2024 Starlah Rose
All Rights Reserved