Licensed Professional Counselor
According to Google, resiliency is defined as a person being able to withstand shock, recover quickly from adversity, or returning to an original shape after being ‘bent,’ or ‘stretched’. Another easier way I like to look at the word is being able to “bounce back”. Now, you might wonder what are some things that can test our resiliency – the things is, everyone has a different capacity to resilience. Some examples you may have attempted to overcome through resiliency include experiencing grief or loss, struggling with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, moving across the country, facing a job loss, chronic illness or injury, financial instability (and the list can go on).
A short video I enjoy watching every now and then that emphasizes the power of perseverance and grit, and in return can promote resilience is by Angela Lee Duckworth, titled Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
Building resilience doesn’t just help you survive difficult times — it enhances overall well-being, improves emotional regulation, boosts problem-solving skills, and even strengthens physical health by reducing the long-term impact of stress. People with higher levels of resilience often report greater life satisfaction, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose, even after facing significant setbacks. This makes resilience a valuable skill not only during major life crises but in everyday challenges as well.
Importantly, resilience is not a fixed trait you either have or don’t have. It can be built and strengthened over time through everyday practices—like developing healthy coping strategies, nurturing supportive relationships, and learning to tolerate discomfort without shutting down. In therapy, building resilience often involves helping clients recognize their existing strengths, reframe unhelpful thought patterns, and gradually face challenges in manageable ways. Over time, this process can increase confidence in one’s ability to handle whatever comes next.
Sometimes we need additional guidance and support to navigate our adversities we face in order to build that muscle of resilience. If you or someone you know is interested in receiving that support from an extra set of ears, therapists here at St. Charles Counseling would love to help.