During these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to remember that you can become more resilient in the face of adversity.
That’s why I’m sharing four small tools that are useful to navigate fear and grief during a difficult time when there is a loss of normalcy in your life.
First, what is resilience?
It is the strength and speed of your response to adversity.
In my experience, when I face the difficulties of life with resilience, I find greater strength and deeper connection and meaning in my life.
To recover and rebound from extraordinary difficulties, I’m sharing four tools I find are highly useful to build resilience.
Tool #1: Self-compassion:
First, extend kindness to yourself the way you would extend to someone close to you. Rather than feeling guilty or blaming yourself for doing too little to help others, give yourself love. When you beat yourself up for being unproductive, it’s not helping you, your friends and family, and even strangers. You have to take care of yourself first before you can help somebody else. Write a love letter to yourself and express your feelings. This process will help you overcome your perceived failures and critique yourself.
Tool #2: Optimistic outlook:
When you are suffering, you tend to project the pain out indefinitely. It helps to remember that all pain is temporary. You don’t know when a painful feeling will end, but you know it will end. I believe it’s helpful to reflect on how you confronted adversity before and you can remind yourself that where there is a will there is a way to endure adversity. You’ve done it before, you can do it again. Write a list of some difficulties you’ve overcome and how you bounced back.
Tool #3: Appreciation:
In the middle of a difficult time when things are more awful than usual, it’s easy to get caught up in the feeling of how everything is so terrible. But, everything is not as bad as it seems. You have your loved ones to reach out to by phone or through Zoom calls and social media. Treat yourself to books to read, puzzles to create, board games to play, and heartwarming movies to watch. But wait there’s more, you have a roof over your head and your utilities are working. A deeper appreciation and connection with others are found during the most difficult times. Think about it, being apart from loved ones and coworkers is bringing you closer together.
Tool #4 Supporting others:
I am reassured when I hear the magic words said, “You are not alone.” and “We’re going to get through this together.” I know we’re all in this together but it’s comforting to know others are there if I need them. Not one of us is immune to fear, grief, and sadness when experiencing scary changes in our lives. When you show up for a friend, you both will feel better. Do something, anything to show you care.
I think these tools will help you build your resilience in whatever adversity life throws your way. Also, I believe you will recover and rebound from any challenge with more joy, strength, and confidence
To your building resilience!
Wendy
Do you need support in discovering and building your dreams and goals? In between my coaching and speaking schedule, I carve out a few strategy sessions each month. If you would like a complimentary strategy session (Value = $250), simply contact me here.
As a Transformational Life Coach, Wendy Johnson helps people who are feeling stuck in frustration get back on track and create a life they love where they wake up every day on purpose with passion and inner peace. She’s passionate about teaching clients to unlock their true potential, achieve success, and live a life they love living. Wendy is an inspiring speaker, passionate educator, and a highly sought-after transformational coach.
