How to Stay Resilient in Your Life
“If life gives you lemons, grab salt and tequila.”
I heard the lemonade joke, but this for me, was new. And since I’m not a huge fan of lemonade, I loved it! The way I interpreted it, it says that not every “bad” situation you are in is necessarily a bad situation. Perhaps you could change a few things around in your life and make yourself adjust to that situation and in a way that you prefer.
Evidently, this isn’t going to work for every situation, but where relevant, it’s worth a shot – or several tiny-glass shots, for that matter! Remember resilience is about being tough and possessing the ability to bounce back into shape. This is an ability everyone possesses in some shape or form the only difference is that some make use of it sooner than others do. But, as long as you’re willing to, it’s not too difficult to use those resilience skills.Here are a few ways you can challenge the difficulties you face in life instead of letting them challenge you.
1. Let Your Emotions Out
Often what we are experiencing triggers emotions that are slowly bottled up inside. Since anger, envy, or other negative emotion are natural, but dangerous for health, experts’advice that we learn how to let our emotions out in positive ways. It may help to rant and rave at times--as long as it's not damaging to your life or relationship and making the situation worse-- but a better way to release that tension is to talk to people who can help and support you and share a different perspective.
2. Learn a Lesson
Lessons From Successful People
In some cases, a terrible turn in your life can easily be labeled as a “lesson well learned”. Instead of playing the blame game, tell yourself that there’s nothing wrong with finally figuring out “what didn’t work”. Keep your head high and know that this is something you won’t let yourself repeat ever again! As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed 1,000 times. I have successfully discovered 1,000 ways that won't work.”
3. Develop a Positive Attitude
Resilience has a lot to do with an optimistic/pessimistic attitude. Since being perfectly centered (realistic) all the time is rare, most people either lie on or move towards the negative or positive end of the continuum. If you’re usually more optimistic than pessimistic, then you’re also more likely to be resilient during difficult times and let your positive attitude take over in just a matter of time. If, however, you have tendency to be more negative, you’re less likely to move on and see things in a different way soon enough.
Transforming your negative attitude into a positive one is no easy task, but with one step at a time, it’s not too hard to achieve. The root of an overall negative attitude is usually negative thoughts that tantalize you until you’re behavior is overall negative. Think of these “roots” as “evil whispers”—something you better fight if you want to be good. One way to fight them is by replacing these thoughts with as many positive ones as you can. (Positive Attitude in Life)
For instance, if you’re not happy about your new job being as fun as you thought it would be, think of this as only one “flaw”. Then think of other reasons for sticking to it (i.e. you get along well with people, it’s good for career advancement, you’re getting a great pay, and so on).
4. Embrace Change
Whether we like it or not, some situations just can’t be helped. It is during these situations we have to let go of “what could have been” or “if only I had…” and other thoughts that ponder over possibilities in the past. Sometimes we are forced to accept change and just learn how to deal with it.
Instead of thinking of these situations as drains on your life, think of them as “tests” or “challenges”. With that mindset, you will be better equipped with the energy and drive needed to face those challenges head-on. A basic human survival instinct teaches us to “adapt” into our environment and in doing so, allows us to be better prepared for survival in future. Remember that this is a natural way of life that we have to learn if we want to succeed. (Decision will Change Life)
Try to be more open-minded when it comes to “change”. Think of ways how this new situation will allow you to learn something new and tap into new opportunities. To embrace the “change” mindset, you can practice by trying new things every now and then (visiting new locations, learning a unique exercise, reading a new genre of books, etc).
5. Solve Your Problems
Have you even thought about ways you could solve the problems you are facing? As Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Complaining about a problem without proposing a solution is called whining.” There is hardly a problem in the world without a few workable solutions. First, dig deep into the root of your problem.
Now analyze ways you can solve or deal with this problem. Make a list and pick a solution that fits your situation best. If need be, experiment with different strategies. You won’t necessarily come up with something that works fast and easy, but eventually, there will come a point when your situation is eased –or at least become less stressful. (You Can Change Your Life)
