5 Tips for Building Resilience

I want to share with you a personal story of what I’m going thru in hopes it will help you when you find yourself in a similar situation. My brother passed away in January rather suddenly. He left me his home and personal possessions. Now while this might seem wonderful, it was and it wasn’t. As a contractor, my brother was a hoarder of construction materials (and electronics as it turned out). Before I could even begin to do the upgrades on the house to sell it, I had to completely clean it out. 3 - 30 cu foot dumpsters later (not kidding), I am now in the midst of renovating it. Now as a former Interior Designer – for over 30 years, this should have been the fun part. But I found myself with a really bad attitude which I knew was stemming from frustration, feeling overwhelmed and of course having to do this on a dime. So I knew in order to get thru this process I needed to change my outlook. What I did was to take an assessment. I am healthy, I am strong, I am resilient and I am very grateful for this opportunity to turn my brothers run down home into something he would be proud of-a love letter of sorts to him. He just couldn’t do it in his diminished physical and mental state.

In the face of challenges and adversity, it can be difficult to stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook. However, building resilience can help you cope with stress and overcome obstacles.

“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”

Here are five tips for building resilience:

1. Cultivate a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities and skills can be developed through dedication and hard work. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and don’t let failure discourage you.

2. Practice self-care. Taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally is essential to building resilience. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones. 3.Develop a support system. Having a network of supportive friends, family, or colleagues can help you navigate difficult times. Seek out people who you can talk to about your struggles and who can provide encouragement and perspective.

4. Focus on what you can control. When faced with adversity, it’s easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed. Instead, focus on the things you can control, such as your attitude, your actions, and your response to the situation.

5. Practice gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful tool for building resilience. Take time each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for, even in difficult times. This can help you maintain a positive outlook and find hope and meaning in challenging situations.

I hope these tips are helpful in building your resilience. Remember, resilience is not something you’re born with - it’s a skill that can be developed with practice.