Recently, my family and I went on a road trip full of connection, novelty, and adventure. 

We had a wonderful time but were happy to come home. 

Upon our return, however, we were met with a grand surprise. My son’s small school, largely run by parent volunteers, had imploded while we were gone. 

Many families, including my son’s closest friends, had dropped out. 

We found ourselves faced with the decision to either find a new school or homeschool.

Before attending this school, I had homeschooled my son for several years. 

Things have changed significantly since that time though. 

I am now much more committed to my business, work for my husband’s roofing company, have coaching clients, and am involved in several groups. 

Not only that, in this last year we have discovered a wonderful group of friends and community that we have grown to cherish and will miss seeing regularly. 

As we come to terms with these changes, I am reflecting on what it means to be resilient and delving into the research. 

Here’s what I’ve discovered to help me to be resilient:

Be Proactive

Resilience isn’t just about reacting to tough situations; it’s also about preparing for them. 

Imagine you’re a gardener. Instead of waiting for weeds to overrun your beautiful garden, you regularly tend to it, pulling out weeds as soon as they appear and planting seeds for future growth. 

Similarly, in life, being proactive means taking steps to manage stress, set goals, and stay organized. 

By taking charge, you’re better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

Protect Your Downtime

We live in a world that’s constantly on the go, but resilience thrives in moments of stillness. 

Protecting your downtime is crucial. 

This could mean setting aside time for self-reflection, meditation, or simply enjoying a hobby. 

Regular downtime helps you recharge, gain perspective, and reconnect with yourself.

 It’s like recharging your phone’s battery—necessary for optimal performance. So, don’t feel guilty about taking a break; it’s an essential part of building resilience.

Change Your Mindset About Adversity

Adversity is a part of life, but how we perceive it can make all the difference.

 Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” try shifting your mindset to, “What can I learn from this?” 

For example, if you didn’t get that job you were hoping for, instead of feeling defeated, consider what the experience taught you. 

Maybe it’s a chance to refine your skills, explore new opportunities, or even discover a new passion. 

Viewing challenges as learning experiences empowers you to grow and become more resilient.

Build Relationships

Resilience doesn’t happen in isolation. Building strong relationships is key. 

Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and colleagues who can provide encouragement and perspective. 

Think of your support network as a safety net, catching you when you fall and helping you bounce back. 

Share your struggles and triumphs with them, and don’t hesitate to lean on them when needed. 

Just as importantly, be there for others. 

Building resilience is a two-way street, and mutual support strengthens everyone involved.

Focus on the Present

It’s easy to get caught up in regrets about the past or worries about the future, but resilience flourishes in the present moment. 

Focus on what you can do right now. 

Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing or grounding exercises, can help you stay centered. 

For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, break it down into manageable steps and tackle one thing at a time. 

By concentrating on the present, you reduce anxiety and enhance your ability to cope with challenges.

Accept That Life Isn’t Fair

Bad things happen, and sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason to it. 

Accepting this reality is a crucial part of resilience. 

Instead of dwelling on the unfairness of a situation, focus on how you can move forward. 

For instance, if you face an unexpected health issue, rather than lamenting your bad luck, concentrate on what you can do to manage it and improve your well-being. 

Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it means acknowledging the truth and finding ways to navigate through it.

Stay Flexible

Flexibility is a cornerstone of resilience. 

Life is unpredictable, and being able to adapt to changing circumstances is vital. 

Stay open to new ideas, be willing to change course, and get creative with solutions. 

For example, if your planned vacation gets canceled, why not explore local attractions or try a new hobby? 

Staying flexible allows you to pivot and make the best out of any situation.

Focus on What You CAN Change

In challenging times, it’s easy to feel powerless. But resilience involves focusing on what you can control. 

Identify the aspects of a situation that you can influence and take action on them. 

For instance, if you’re facing a tough financial situation, create a budget, seek financial advice, and explore new income sources. 

By concentrating on what you can change, you empower yourself to make positive strides forward.

Be Grateful

Gratitude is a powerful antidote to negativity, which can sap your resilience. 

Make it a habit to acknowledge and appreciate the good things in your life, no matter how small. 

Keeping a gratitude journal, where you jot down things you’re thankful for each day, can help shift your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. 

For example, even on a bad day, you might find joy in a beautiful sunset, a kind word from a friend, or a delicious meal. 

Gratitude nurtures a positive mindset and strengthens your resilience.

Seek Out Challenges

Don’t shy away from challenges; seek them out. Stepping out of your comfort zone builds resilience by proving to yourself that you can handle new and difficult situations. 

Whether it’s taking on a new project at work, learning a new skill, or facing a personal fear, embracing challenges helps you grow stronger and more adaptable. 

Remember, each challenge you conquer adds a new layer of resilience to your character.

Ask Yourself: Is what I am doing hurting or helping me?

Finally, when we are responding to a difficult situation sometimes we gravitate towards actions that won’t make things better. 

We spend hours looking at pictures in grief, when sleep will be more helpful or turn to TV, wine, or ice cream to avoid the broken heart. 

As much as possible, you need to live in awareness of how you react to life and treat yourself with love during challenging times. 

Choose behaviors that support you and help you. 

Your Resilience Journey

As I look forward to homeschooling once more, I am reminded that resilience isn’t a trait we’re born with; it’s a skill we can develop. 

By making thoughtful choices and adopting positive habits, we can cultivate a resilient spirit. 

Embrace opportunities for growth, take care of ourselves, and maintain a positive mindset. 

Remember, each step we take towards building resilience is an investment in our future well-being. 

So, go ahead and embrace resilience—your future self will thank you for it!

If you’re curious about how PSYCH-K®️ can help you make the shifts you seek easily, feel free to explore more on my website or contact me directly.

Take care,

Jennifer