How To Flow In Adversity? Strategies To Strengthen Resilience
In the most difficult moments of our lives, who has not felt that the weight of the world fell on our shoulders? Who has not had the feeling that each step forward was full of seemingly insurmountable obstacles? Who has not suffered the feeling that this difficult situation was not going to end? If you are nodding to every question, let me tell you that you are not alone.
Adversity can manifest itself in many ways in our lives: a sudden loss, a professional setback, a relationship that falls apart. In those moments, the moment we are going through can feel like we are trapped in a tunnel where we don’t see the light at the end.
When we find ourselves in the midst of adversity, it is natural for our minds to begin to spin in a whirlwind of negative thoughts. We find ourselves trapped in a cycle of worry and fear, creating catastrophic scenarios in our minds about what could go wrong. We need to validate our feelings because that is what anxiety does.
The limiting beliefs we form in times of distress can become our worst enemies. We convince ourselves that we haven’t done enough, or that we aren’t strong enough, smart enough, worthy enough to overcome the challenges we face. Although none of these beliefs are true, our brain perceives them as the only reality.
It is important to understand that our brain, in its desire to protect us, tends to focus on the negative when it feels threatened. This predisposition to focus on the bad can magnify our doubts and fears, thus feeding our limiting beliefs. However, recognizing this pattern is the first step to putting distance between ourselves and our thoughts and thus challenging those beliefs.
This is where the power of resilience comes into play. Resilience is not limited to facing difficulties, but to overcome them with determination and strength. It is the ability to find strength in the midst of weakness, to grow from adversity rather than being consumed by it.
How to make ourselves more resilient?
So how can we cultivate this resilience in ourselves? How can we learn to flow through adversity instead of fighting against it? First of all, the good news is that resilience is not an innate quality, but rather a skill that we can develop with time and practice. Here I share five things you can do:
1. Accept what you feel
Start by acknowledging and accepting your emotions, allowing yourself to feel and process the pain that accompanies adversity. By honoring your experience, you can begin to heal from the inside out.
2. Change your internal narrative
Instead of focusing on what you can’t control, focus your energy on what you can do. Here are some examples of how we can change our perspective:
3. Learn to adapt to change with flexibility
Instead of stubbornly clinging to a plan or preconceived idea, keep an open mind to new possibilities. In fact, by developing our ability to improvise and adjust, we can find creative solutions even in the most challenging situations.
4. Surround yourself well
Seek social support whether through friends, family, or mental health professionals. It is important to find someone with whom to share our burdens can ease the weight we carry on our shoulders.
An opportunity to grow as people
In times of adversity, it is vital to be able to adapt and grow despite the challenges we face. This process of flowing in adverse moments implies stopping resisting adverse circumstances and beginning to accept them with serenity, seeking opportunities for growth within them. This does not mean ignoring pain or difficulty, but rather adopting an attitude of curiosity towards what challenges us as it can teach us something about ourselves and our abilities.
It is important to maintain a connection with our core values and purposes. This provides us with an emotional anchor in turbulent times and helps us make decisions aligned with what really matters to us. For this, it is important to lower the volume on our inner critic and turn it up on our inner coach, that voice that understands and encourages us when we want to throw in the towel. In order to flow through adversity and grow, I share with you three concepts that are not talked about much or that may be new to you:
1. Have you stopped to consider the potential of “Post Traumatic Growth”?
Beyond the recognized Post Traumatic Stress, a path to renewal and inner strength opens before us. After living through difficult experiences, instead of remaining stuck in suffering, we can move towards the search for meaning and personal growth. Tools like therapeutic writing, meditation, and exploring new perspectives accompany us on this journey toward healing and flourishing.
2. Does the idea of “Self-Efficacy” sound familiar to you?
This concept implies fully trusting our ability to face life’s challenges, thus developing greater resilience and inner strength. Cultivating self-efficacy involves setting realistic goals, celebrating our achievements, and learning from our failures. Visualizing ourselves overcoming obstacles and remembering our strengths are fundamental pillars that nourish our confidence in difficult times.
3. Do you know what “The Reframing” is?
It is a powerful strategy to transform adversities into opportunities. The way we interpret difficult events can have a significant influence on our ability to overcome them. Practicing reframing allows us to change our perspective, take new approaches, and think creatively. Thus, we can transform adversity into a path toward personal and professional growth.
In conclusion, whether it is because you have separated, you need to change or find a new job, or you are waiting for a project that does not seem to work out, among other challenges, resilience emerges as our constant guide. By embracing post-traumatic growth, strengthening our self-efficacy, and practicing reframing, we not only overcome obstacles, but also flourish in adversity.
We become architects of our own destiny, forging an inner strength that allows us to not only survive, but thrive, turning every challenge into an opportunity to discover our true greatness.
