What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. This phrase may seem like a cliché, but it's true. Take a look at the natural world around you and you'll find that many organisms not only manage to survive, but thrive after facing adversity.
When a grain of sand slips into an oyster, it immediately defends itself by secreting a layer of mineral substance to cover up the sand. Over time, these layers eventually form a pearl, a gem that we treasure and value.
Like the oyster's defense mechanism against external threats, our ability and desire to overcome challenges and emerge stronger comes naturally.
This ability to 'bounce back stronger' from challenges is called Resilience.
Resilience can be learnt
Your resilience is neither pre-determined, nor a permanent characteristic of your personality. It's a dynamic process that can be developed over time.
Challenges are opportunities for us to grow. How can you learn to cope with a specific challenge if you don't have the chance to experience and face it head on? Every time we face a challenge, we explore ways to overcome it and eventually discover some effective coping strategies. Over time, we build up reservoir of positive coping strategies that can help us manage future hardships.
Some people have built up a large pool of strengths and coping skills over the course of their life, enough to deal with a myriad of life challenges, while others may still be searching for coping strategies that work for them.
What about you? Take our quiz to find out how well you're able to manage the obstacles in life now.
WHAT IS MY 'BOUNCE BACK' FACTOR?
Share your resilience story
If you've got any personal experiences about learning, growing and bouncing back from adversity, you can email it to hpb_nmu@hpb.gov.sg. The best stories received will be shared on breathe.sg.
