Do you ever find yourself wondering, “How resilient am I?” It’s a valid question, especially in difficult times. Resilience is the ability to bounce back and take on challenges with strength and courage, no matter how daunting they may be. In this blog post, we’ll explore how resilient we are in tough situations and what we can do to build our resilience. Read on to discover the power of resilience and how you can use it to help you get through life’s toughest moments.
Defining resilience
Ann Masten (2001), a prominent developmental psychologist known for her research on resilience in children and adolescents coined the term “ordinary magic” to describe the everyday processes and skills that contribute to resilience in individuals facing adversity.
Ordinary magic refers to the small, ordinary, and often overlooked factors or experiences that help people, especially children, cope with challenges and bounce back from difficult situations. Masten’s concept of ordinary magic emphasizes that resilience is not just a rare or extraordinary trait in exceptional individuals but can be fostered and cultivated through everyday experiences and support systems. By recognizing and enhancing these ordinary magical elements in a person’s life, we can promote their ability to adapt, thrive, and succeed in the face of adversity.
At its core, resilience is about building emotional strength and self-confidence so that we can cope with whatever life throws at us. It’s about having the ability to manage change, stay positive, and keep moving forward. Being resilient is an essential part of personal growth, which is why it is so important to cultivate these skills.
Ultimately, resilience is about being able to take on life’s challenges with strength, courage, and a sense of optimism. It’s about finding the ordinary magic within us that can help us overcome anything.
Why some people are more resilient than others
It is often said that some people are more resilient than others, but why is this the case? Several different factors contribute to resilience. For instance, some individuals may be naturally gifted with a strong internal fortitude that allows them to stay positive and motivated in difficult situations. Others may have had an upbringing that equipped them with the necessary skills to deal with adversity.
In addition to these traits, many experts believe that our lifestyle plays a role in resilience. Daily routines and practices that build mental strength and foster emotional well-being. Such practices can include meditation, mindfulness, journaling, or even simply making time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. These practices can help a person develop the inner strength and emotional control needed to respond positively to difficult situations.
In sum, resilience is something that can be developed and strengthened over time, and it is often a combination of intrinsic traits, positive upbringing, and daily practices that enable some people to be more resilient than others. With the right tools and strategies, anyone can develop greater resilience in their lives and use it to bounce back from tough times with ease.
The benefits of being resilient
Resilience is the power to recover from difficult situations, rebound quickly, and keep going no matter what life throws your way. It can be the difference between “just getting by” and truly thriving in life. It has become a buzzword in our modern world of hustle and burnout, but what are the real benefits of being resilient?
Being resilient gives you the ability to better handle life’s curveballs without letting them break you. When you are resilient, you are better equipped to stay focused on your goals, even when faced with adversity. This is especially important if you have big dreams and ambitious goals that require more effort and dedication than the average person. Instead of getting discouraged by challenging times, resilient people find the energy and determination to push forward, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against them.
Having resilience also gives you the strength and courage to face difficult tasks that you wouldn’t normally consider taking on. You become less afraid of failure because you know that even if things don’t turn out exactly as planned, you will still be able to pull through and make the best of the situation. Resilient people are also better at problem-solving because they know how to look for solutions instead of simply giving up.
Another major benefit of being resilient is that it allows you to create “ordinary magic” in your life. This means that even small victories that would normally go unnoticed become a source of joy and accomplishment. By learning to appreciate the little things and give yourself credit for all of your efforts, resilience can help you build a more positive and meaningful life.
Ultimately, being resilient isn’t about being invincible or impervious to suffering – it’s about finding the courage to keep going in spite of it. While no one can predict the future, having resilience will give you the tools to keep pushing forward, no matter what life throws at you.
How to become more resilient
Everyone has the capacity to develop resilience, no matter their current situation or background. While some people appear to be naturally more resilient than others, resilience is something that can be practiced and honed over time. Here are some tips to become more resilient:
- Accept and embrace change. Life is constantly changing and it’s important to recognize and accept this. There’s no use trying to control the uncontrollable, so try to view change as an opportunity for growth.
- Reframe your mindset. Try to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and a chance to gain new skills. Remember that failures don’t define you – they are part of the learning process.
- Focus on what you can control. This can be anything from your response to difficult situations to how you choose to spend your time each day. When things feel out of your control, focus on what you can control and make a plan of action to move forward.
- Build relationships with supportive people. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, both in person and virtually. Take time to build meaningful relationships with people who can provide guidance, advice and support during difficult times.
- Take care of yourself. Self-care is vital for building resilience and is often overlooked. Take care of yourself by doing activities that make you feel good, such as exercising, spending time in nature or connecting with friends and family.
- Make time for ordinary magic. Enjoy the simple things that life has to offer; take time for self-reflection and gratitude, find joy in everyday moments and practice acts of kindness – these are all key elements of ordinary magic that can help cultivate resilience over time.
Resilience in action
Ordinary magic is what we call the extraordinary feats of resilience that people demonstrate every day. It’s the small moments when someone picks themselves up after a hardship and keeps going, or the bravery of a single person standing against an unjust situation. It’s the recognition of how one person can make a huge difference in the face of adversity.
There are countless examples of ordinary magic happening in our world every day. People who have faced major obstacles—whether physical, mental, financial, or any other kind—and still managed to make something out of their lives. People who fight against injustices and don’t give up until change is made. People who inspire others to be brave and take risks to create a better future for themselves and those around them.
Ordinary magic is in all of us. We all have the ability to be resilient, to stand up for what we believe in, and to keep fighting no matter how hard things get. We can all strive to be resilient and brave, to pick ourselves up after hardships and use our experiences to become even stronger. This is the ordinary magic we can bring into the world.
References
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.56.3.227