The Art of Resilience: A Journey of Hope | Ashreeta Mohanty

“Resilience, in a sense, is applied optimism.”

― Kate O'Neill

Life, a fascinatingly complex and unpredictable journey, regularly presents us with challenges. These could be professional hurdles, personal setbacks, health issues, or emotional struggles. Though these trials may seem daunting, the ability to overcome and thrive amidst adversity lies in a key called "resilience"

Resilience is the grit that allows us to bounce back stronger, wiser, and more robust from life's setbacks.

So how does one cultivate this vital life skill? Here are some effective strategies to strengthen your resilience.

1. Acceptance: Embrace Change:

Change is the only constant. If we are aware of this fact no one can prevent us from being happy in life. They say the first step towards change is awareness, the second is acceptance and the third and final step is your reaction. Your happiness solely depends on all three.

2. Positive Attitude: Cultivate Optimism:

Being positive is the new normal. But there is a huge difference in saying and staying positive. Positivity can enhance your skill, and can widen your thought process. Have confidence in yourself and convince yourself to stay positive in every adverse situation. Opportunity will surely knock your doorstep.

3. Self-Care: Prioritise Your Well-being:

Taking care of your physical as well as mental health has become essential.

Be gentle to yourself, embrace vulnerability, know your limits.

Ask yourself:

• When was the last time you truly took a break—guilt-free?
• How often do you smile in a day?
• Have you checked in with yourself lately?

Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s what allows us to keep going, keep giving, and keep growing.

4. Foster Strong Relationships: Build a Support Network:

Network building is vital. It's a lifetime investment. You need to create, rather than finding that balance between your relationship. Asthey say- be there for others but don't leave yourself behind.

You can't achieve anything entirely by yourself. To be happy and successful, you have to have people that you rely on.

5. Embrace Learning: Be a Lifelong Student:

Learning is for life. It's a never-ending process. If you can keep alive the desire to learn something new everyday sky is the only limit for you. If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. The only purpose of learning is growth.

As the saying goes- “You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.”—Richard Branson

6. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Understand and Manage Your Emotions:

Be emotionally intelligent. Yes, you heard it right. Being emotional can influence our decision making in a negative way. Watch your thoughts before they become words to actions to your habit.

7. Set Goals: Have a Purpose:

People always get confused between dreams and goals. Dreams are nothing but desires. Goals are dreams with a deadline, clear direction and an action plan. Your goals in life must be balanced. At the same time the goal should be challenging enough to motivate you yet realistic enough to avoid discouragement.

So, set a meaningful goal and start today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now!

Resilience: The Ultimate Superpower

Resilience is not a trait we're born with—it's a skill we can learn and nurture. It's about embracing the full spectrum of life's experiences, both the joys and the challenges. Building resilience is an art, a constant endeavour of understanding and bettering oneself. But the reward—a stronger, more balanced, and a life full of hope—is well worth the effort.

Life will always be unpredictable, but if we build, hope, we won’t just survive—we’ll thrive.

So the next time life tests you, take a deep breath, remind yourself of your strength, and say, “I’ve got this.”

(End Credit: Inspired by a beautiful article by "YOURSTORY".)

Born in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Ashreeta Mohanty grew up in a close-knit joint family that nurtured her love for literature. She excelled academically at the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Integral Education, where she first discovered her passion for writing through contributions to the school magazine. Encouraged by her mentor, she explored scholarly writing, which laid the foundation for her literary journey.