Adversity and Embracing Your Inner Strength

Do you ever feel as though the world is conspiring against you, with elements of adversity rearing its ugly head at times? In moments like this you may be feeling defeated and just want to bury your head under a pillow until it goes away.? Well, sorry to say, unless you address it head-on, it won't go away.? My recommendation…embrace it.? Yes, see this adversity as an opportunity to learn and grow.? I know, it's easier said than done but hear me out.? Turning your adversity, mishap, misfortune, or setback (whatever you want to call it) into a positive situation requires you to focus on your hidden inner strength.? It's there, it just may need to be awakened.? It's that inner strength, hidden inside you, that will help you bounce back from tough times and allow your dreams to not skip a beat.? So, how do we do this??

The best way to uncover your inner strength is to think back and remember the times you faced adversity.? It's likely you felt exactly how you're feeling now.? Your emotions are getting the better of you and you're overwhelmed with racing thoughts going through your mind with "What do I do now?" and other, perhaps, "What if" questions.? Let's pause here.? Take a deep breath (or as many as you need), grab a piece of paper and pen (or pencil).

Well, before we move on, it may be helpful to understand the difference between adversity and challenge.? Simply put, a challenge is something you choose to take on, while adversity is something you have to deal with whether you want to or not.? Makes sense, right?

Now that you know the difference it's time to brain dump.? Take that piece of paper and write down all the times when you were confronted with difficulty or misfortune.? Perhaps it was a career setback, financial distress, grief, or loss… Next to each one, write what you did to overcome it.? This may be where the challenge comes in.? Did you challenge yourself to learn a new skill, find a new way to save your money, or speak out about your grief?? Each of these misfortunes you wrote down is an opportunity to look at those past situations and see how you overcame them, building that inner strength muscle.? Take a moment to see what you learned from each event and how your resilience showed up.?? This is where you will start seeing how each event was an opportunity for you to learn and grow from it.?

Understand that taking those moments you described, you embraced that growth mindset.? You transformed the adversity into a stepping stone for personal development, empowering and challenging you to find opportunities to grow from them, and here lies the proof of your resilience! Each time you overcome your adversity it builds your confidence and adds to your inner strength.

Now that we've set the foundation, use those examples of your previous resilience to find similar ways to overcome the current mishap you're facing.? Challenge yourself to find ways to pivot, such as finding something else (a hobby, passion project, support group, or new career) as you work through the adversity.? It's important here to be extra mindful of your self-talk.?? This is where you want to be intentional with how you speak to yourself, be kind, and speak encouraging words.? This not only shapes your mindset but also influences those around you and those who support you.

Real-Life Example: You know I love talking about my kids.? Yes, I'm a proud mom.? My son, Jeremy, is an avid rock climber, both indoors and outdoors.? At the beginning of the year, he pulled a tendon in his forearm and was required to rest it for 6 months.? Meaning, NO rock climbing, a sport he LOVES.? This was quite a setback for him.? Instead of letting this defeat him, he decided to take up disc golf and golfing, allowing him to keep up with his love for the outdoors, strengthening his forearm, and finding a new passion at the same time.? Today, he's back to rock climbing and now has added new activities to participate in.

Fun Facts:

• Taking the time to journal can boost your mood and help you figure things out, like talking to a friend, but the friend is you!? Your inner intuition may present itself by allowing you to uncover your true thoughts and feelings, helping you gain clarity, process emotions, and discover solutions that you might not have recognized before.
• Setting small goals is another great way to build your confidence and help you feel accomplished.? Each small goal you achieve creates a sense of progress and motivation, making it easier to tackle larger challenges and enhancing your belief in your abilities.

Finally, the secret sauce is vulnerability.? Being vulnerable can make you stronger! ?When you share your feelings, you connect with others.? That support can be a game-changer.? Speak your truth and don't be afraid to show your true self.? By embracing your vulnerability it allows you to build deeper relationships and fosters an environment where others feel safe to share their struggles, thereby creating a powerful sense of community.

Now, go forth, embrace your inner strength and awaken that superhero within you. With a little self-reflection and a sprinkle of courage, you’ll be ready to tackle anything life throws your way!