Adversity is a fact of life. At some point, we’re all going to face it.
It may seem cliché, but how we respond to adversity says more about how it will affect our lives in the long run than the simple fact that it happened. Responding, rather than reacting, comes from developing the resilience you need to overcome adversity and find your path to happiness and fulfillment.
Developing resilience isn’t difficult, but it does take time and effort. Keep reading for some tips on how to handle adversity by developing the resilience you need to face anything!
Understanding the Traits of Emotionally Resilient People
Emotionally resilient people have three important traits in common: perseverance, a sense of control, and strong social connections. They know that they cannot be discouraged by failure or change, but rather they need to focus on what they can control and move forward that way.
In addition to developing traits like perseverance and control, they build strong relationships and support systems. Emotionally resilient people know that they can’t do everything alone. Sometimes, even the strongest people need help!
Developing a Growth Mindset
I talk about the importance of a growth mindset often for one reason: it is truly that important! If you’re stuck in a fixed mindset, it won’t matter how much you try. If you’ve convinced yourself it isn’t possible, you’ve already lost.
This is harmful at any point in life, but it is especially harmful during times of adversity. How can you expect to overcome an obstacle if you tell yourself it’s impossible?
Instead of focusing on the bad, focus on what you can control. What part of this situation can you turn into a positive? Focus on that one aspect, and the positivity will transform the entire situation.
Building Strong Relationships
A strong and solid support system can get you through the toughest of times. Surround yourself with people who also embrace a growth mindset and understand that struggles grow strength.
This doesn’t have to be just in the form of your romantic relationships. Good friends going through similar life challenges are also a big source of inspiration when it comes to developing resiliency.
Don’t Forget to Practice Self-Care
When we’re faced with tough times, it can be easy to forget to put ourselves first. But as the cliche goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Remember to take time to prioritize self-care. Whether it’s taking a long bubble bath, going for a long walk, journaling before bed, or meeting up with a friend for coffee, be sure to prioritize the activities that will help you release tension and stress.
Resilience is the Key to Overcoming Challenging Transitions
No matter what stage of life you are in, adversity and struggles will find you. Whether it’s a big career change, navigating an empty nest, downsizing your family home, experiencing a divorce, or losing a loved one, our life is marked by times of transition.
As the old saying goes, you’ve survived your darkest days. You will survive these ones, too. For more personalized guidance on how to build up the resilience to help you embrace change, reach out to learn more about my one-on-one coaching opportunities.