Resillience has become a buzzword. On the surface, it encapsulates the admirable ability of individuals or groups to bounce back from adversity. Our over-reliance on “resilience” veils a more subtle form of false positivity and perpetuates unrealistic standards.
Resilience is the mask of strength, and constantly championing resilience can indirectly suggest the “right way” to handle difficulties: Always bounce back and always be strong. This creates an environment where individuals may suppress or disregard their genuine emotions, needing to appear resilient at all costs.
The cultural fixation on resilience can inadvertently set the bar unattainably high. Only some people can or should bounce back quickly from every challenge. Every individual’s response to adversity is unique, and insisting upon rapid resilience can make those needing more time to recover feel like they’re failing.
Overemphasis on individual resilience might detract from recognizing and addressing more significant systemic or structural problems. For example, telling a worker to be more resilient in the face of workplace stress may overshadow the fact that the workplace might be inherently toxic or demanding.
Much like the “toxic positivity” movement (think: “Look on the bright side”), an overemphasis on resilience can be another form of denying or downplaying genuine feelings and struggles. If a teammate is working through how to bounce back and is constantly surrounded by messages championing resilience, the individual may internalize feelings of inadequacy or shame. This can further exacerbate feelings of distress.
This isn’t a call to completely abandon the concept of resilience. Instead, it’s a plea for a more nuanced understanding. Overemphasizing resilience as a blanket term can be potentially harmful. We need to support each other more authentically and sustainably by fostering understanding, patience, and holistic well-being.
Healthy resilience starts with acknowledging that it’s okay to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our humanity. Accepting and sharing our vulnerabilities pave the way for genuine healing and growth.
Not all adversities are the same, and not everyone will recover at the same pace. It’s essential to understand that taking longer to bounce back doesn’t mean one lacks resilience. Emphasize the journey, not just the destination.
We need to provide tools to build healthy resilience: Coping strategies, stress-reduction techniques, or connecting employees with supportive communities.
Promote an environment where people feel safe discussing their struggles and setbacks. People openly sharing their experiences without fear of judgment fosters collective resilience and a shift from ‘bouncing back’ to ‘growing through.’ Instead of emphasizing returning to a previous state (bouncing back), focus on the idea of ‘growing through’ challenges. This paradigm shift allows for transformation and personal development due to adversity.
Address systemic barriers and confront systemic obstacles that might hinder it. This includes workplace policies, societal norms, and other structural factors impacting mental well-being. Every step taken towards healing and coping is worth celebrating. Acknowledging small victories reinforces that resilience is a journey, not just an end goal.
“Self-care” has been promoted extensively, especially in mental health and wellness. While the premise is universally positive—encouraging people to take time for themselves and prioritize their well-being—several factors have led to criticism or skepticism surrounding its popular representation.
Businesses have latched onto the self-care trend, marketing products from spa treatments to luxury items as “essential” for self-care. This commodification can portray self-care as something that can be bought, potentially sidelining genuine self-care’s emotional and mental aspects. Media often present self-care as simple indulgences, like taking a bubble bath or having a spa day. While these activities can be part of self-care for some, reducing self-care to just pampering can oversimplify its depth and range, including therapy, setting boundaries, or addressing mental health issues. Due to commercialization, there’s a perception that self-care is only accessible to those who can afford luxury products or experiences. This can exclude individuals who benefit from self-care but feel it’s out of their reach financially.
Self-care isn’t just about spa days or vacations. It’s about recognizing when to take a break, seek help, and set boundaries. Encourage practices that rejuvenate both the body and the mind. A support system plays a pivotal role in building resilience. Resilience becomes a shared journey by connecting with others, sharing experiences, and drawing strength from collective wisdom.
When healthy resilience is not nurtured, people may lack the coping mechanisms to deal with setbacks, leading to harmful behaviors like substance abuse, self-harm, or other maladaptive coping strategies. The absence of resilience-building can contribute to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. People might feel ill-equipped to handle the complexities of life, exacerbating feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives recognize and address the unique challenges and disparities various groups face, especially marginalized communities. Resilience education and its promotion intersect significantly with DEI efforts. Marginalized communities often face specific adversities from systemic discrimination, biases, or historical oppression. A DEI-focused resilience approach recognizes these unique challenges and provides tailored strategies to address them. DEI efforts ensure that resilience-building strategies are culturally sensitive, considering different communities’ unique experiences, values, and beliefs.
In our journey towards self-improvement and societal growth, it’s crucial to distinguish between genuine resilience and its superficial portrayal. True resilience is not a mask of invincibility but a tapestry of strength and vulnerability woven with threads of shared experiences, individual journeys, and systemic understandings. It respects personal timelines and honors all emotional experiences, whether they resonate with prevailing narratives or challenge them. As we promote resilience, let’s anchor it in authenticity, infuse it with empathy, and intertwine it with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles. Only then can resilience transcend from being a buzzword to a transformative force that uplifts individuals and communities. Let’s champion a resilience that respects our shared humanity and celebrates our diversity.
Britton Bloch is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition Strategy at Navy Federal Credit Union.