In today’s world, resilience is one of the most valuable qualities one should learn. Over the course of the past year, we have all been affected by a global pandemic, seen multiple fights for justice, and have dealt with our own personal challenges in life as well, which is why being resilient is so important. Learning to overcome obstacles that come in your way, or bouncing back from a setback is something that will help you persevere and become the best version of yourself that you can be.
Here are some ways that may help you find your resilience:
One of the best ways to be resilient is to learn to relax. When faced with a challenge, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with emotions and act impulsively or want to give up. When you give yourself a chance to relax, you can shift your perspective on the situation and evaluate what steps need to be taken in order to overcome this. You can relax your mind and body through many different outlets, whether it be developing a healthy sleep schedule, or performing relaxing actions such as yoga or meditation. Find something that helps you relax and learn to implement it in your daily life!
Another way to be resilient is to be aware of your thoughts, and practice positive thinking. We are our own biggest critics and are quick to put ourselves down when something doesn’t go our way. By practicing positive thinking, you can get rid of any negative thoughts that might be derailing your efforts. Change your thought process, instead of telling yourself, “Failure shows me what I cannot do,” tell yourself, “It is okay to fail, it will help me learn and I will become even better.” Giving yourself this mindset will empower you to achieve whatever it is you set your mind to, no matter how large.
One more tip that can lead you to resilience pairs well with the previous two, and that is to learn and grow from your mistakes or setbacks. While this one may seem obvious, this piece of advice is something that evades many of us, especially when we truly need it. If you come across an obstacle that you think is too difficult to overcome, or if something knocks you down, take a step away from the situation and find a way to relax. While easing your mind and body, try to find a new perspective on the situation, see if there is any information that could be helpful that you might have missed in the heat of the moment, or any lessons that can be learned from this challenge. Tell yourself that this is not an end, but an opportunity to try again, and become better. Then, when the time is right, persevere and continue on, stronger and smarter than before.
While these are just three steps that you can take on the path to resiliency, there are many more ways to achieve this goal. Find what works for you and let it take you to where you need to go in order to become the person you need to be. And remember, you are important, your challenges and setbacks do not define you, only you can do that.
Written by Caroline Harting