Life throws curveballs every now and then. Honestly, it’s not realistic to expect a happy and sorted life. Every day, every phase is filled with challenges—sometimes manageable, sometimes heartbreaking. But to be able to survive and thrive in this life, one quality that is required is RESILIENCE. In very technical terms, resilience is your ability to bounce back from adversity, adapt to change, and keep going in the face of hardships. It’s what helps you navigate through life’s inevitable setbacks and come out stronger on the other side. It allows you to recover more quickly from stress and reduces the likelihood of prolonged negative impacts on your health.

Important Key Points on What Resilience Is

  1. Relying on others
  2. Trusting your own abilities
  3. Being kind to yourself
  4. Knowing you can change the stories you tell yourself
  5. Taking the next step, even if it’s small

Now, the question lies in how one can be resilient. Here are a few tips that can help:

  1. Continuously learn and develop new skills that align with your goals and interests: Seek opportunities for growth, whether through education, training, or pursuing new hobbies.
  2. Practice self-affirmation and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small: Embrace a growth mindset and view failures as learning opportunities.
  3. Cultivate meaningful relationships and build a strong support network: Foster open and honest communication, practice active listening, and offer support to others.
  4. Reflect on your values and align your actions with them: Embrace integrity, honesty, and empathy in your interactions with others. Emphasize personal growth and embrace challenges as opportunities for character development.
  5. Find ways to make a positive impact in the lives of others: Engage in acts of kindness, volunteer, or support causes that resonate with you.
  6. Develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress and adversity: This can include practices like mindfulness, exercise, journaling, or seeking support from trusted friends or professionals.
  7. Identify the aspects of a situation that are within your control and focus your energy on those: Let go of what you cannot change and embrace an adaptive mindset.

By incorporating these strategies, you can build resilience and enhance your ability to navigate life’s challenges with strength and confidence.

Written by Drishti Jalan, Psychologist at I’m Powered – Center for Counselling and Wellbeing