Bend: Don’t Break.

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“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

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Dear Investors & Friends.

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Welcome to this week’s SundayReads.

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I recently read a brilliant piece in Harvard Business Review that framed resilience as recovery rather than relentless effort. It sparked a thought: what if we, too, could transform our outlook and decision-making by focusing less on enduring and more on recharging??

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Resilience is often framed as the ability to “keep going no matter what,” like a marathon runner pushing through mile after gruelling mile. But what if true resilience isn’t about endless endurance but rather about knowing when—and how—to recharge? In today’s relentless world, this subtle yet profound shift in perspective can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving—not just in life, but also in our finances.?

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Have you ever looked closely at the rocks near the banks of a river or by Nariman Point? Those rocks remain steadfast against the current, but over time, the water chips away at their surface, leaving them smooth but diminished. Just a little way from the water, near the NCPA, stands the willow tree. The tree bends with the wind but rises tall again once the storm passes.?

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The willow’s strength lies not in resisting the wind but in adapting to it. Resilience is about bending with life’s demands, pausing to gather strength, and springing back with renewed energy. Whether in life or in our financial decisions, this ability to “bend without breaking” depends on intentional recovery, not ceaseless endurance.?

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Let me tell you the story of my niece Shreya, young, intelligent and having the ability to rise to the top. For years, she worked tirelessly. Behind her determined exterior, Shreya was also fighting personal battles. After a difficult divorce and no personal support, she found herself emotionally drained, unable to focus, and constantly questioning her decisions. Financially, her burnout was manifesting in impulsive choices.

When Shreya hit rock bottom, she made a bold decision: she stepped back. Instead of pushing herself harder, she chose to recharge. Shreya accepted a short sabbatical, using the time to address her personal struggles and rediscover her goals. Then came a breakthrough—she was offered a scholarship to Oxford, a dream she’d long held but never pursued.?

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During her time there, she invested in herself wholeheartedly, both professionally and emotionally. She rebuilt her confidence, sharpened her skills, and learned to manage herself with more clarity and intention. Today, Shreya is thriving. She has clarity to align her work with her values while regaining control over her life. Shreya’s story talks about the power of intentional recovery. It’s about knowing when to pause, recharge, and refocus to emerge stronger.?

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Just as athletes need time to recover between games, we need buffers to recover from life’s inevitable setbacks. Studies in behavioural finance show that stress can cloud judgment, often leading to panic-driven choices, like selling investments during market downturns or taking on unsustainable debt. But creating space to breathe—both emotionally and financially—allows us to make decisions that align with our long-term goals.?

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Would our phone function if we never plugged it in? Of course not. Yet we often treat ourselves—as if we can go indefinitely without recharging. Think of yourself as a rechargeable battery. Batteries work best when properly maintained: they aren’t left to drain completely, nor are they perpetually plugged in. Similarly, resilience means striking a balance between effort and recovery, ensuring we’re neither overexerted nor stagnant.?

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To recharge, first identify what renews your energy.

Is it quiet moments of reflection?

Deep connections with supportive people?

A day off to realign your priorities?

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The rocks along the riverbanks will eventually erode, but the willow tree will sway and rise again, unbroken. Resilience is all about learning to adapt, recover, and grow stronger.? Resilience thrives on intentional recovery. By embracing this mindset, we’ll not only weather life’s challenges but navigate them with wisdom, grace, and strength.

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Until the next week and the next SundayRead, Ciao.

Sincerely,

Kavita Bothra

Helping you think thoughts you may not have thought before.