Reimagining Resilience

I am so excited to be launching a new Circle of Practice, open to anyone in the humanitarian and human rights field, and starting next week!

In our first session together, we will be exploring collective resilience. What does it mean, and why is it important?

This topic is really important to me. I have studied and worked on ‘resilience’ for many years. In fact, I use that word with some hesitation. Ever since it became a popular buzzword to describe people’s, or nature’s, ability to ‘bounce back’ in the face of climate change, I believe ‘resilience’ has been an overused, and abused, term.

Whether we are talking about a Masai tribesman’s ability to survive as the earth dries up around him, or a worker’s ability to remain as productive as ever whilst they work longer and longer hours with less and less reward; the use of the word resilience in this way puts the onus on the individual to adapt to a broken, toxic environment. And lets the powerholders – government, business leaders and employers – off the hook.

From Individual to Collective Resilience

If we want to change the cultures, narratives and behaviours that diminish us, or the planet we live in, then resilience for me must include accountability and it must include belonging. We need to be resilient to have the conversation about what role each of us is playing in climate change, or conflict or marginalisation. We need to be resilient to hold others accountable (as well as ourselves) for unhealthy systems of oppression. And to dismantle unhealthy systems of oppression we need to find belonging within what Martin Luther King famously called ‘beloved community’. We cannot fight our battles single-handedly – no individualised wellbeing practice such as yoga or meditation alone can help us do that.

It is only through mutual support and understanding, and a deepening compassion for each other, that we can allow ourselves to fall when we need to – because as human beings it is OK to fall, and to fail, at times. What is important is that in those moments we feel seen and held, and that we have space to be vulnerable and ultimately to learn and grow, without the unrealistic judgement and expectation of others.? ?

I have learned this many times over, having on so many occasions been on the brink of burnout due to trying to do everything on my own without any help; often not even speaking up for my own needs; and often in work environments where showing emotional distress was not welcome.

I have learned that resilience is not about being superhuman all the time. And it is also not about just doing some yoga and meditation to make myself feel better - even though these practices have been extremely helpful in my life.

Resilience is also about connection with others, exploring together our human vulnerabilities. It is about collectively creating new approaches and practices to support us – and importantly, in ways that celebrate our diversity and ensure no one is left behind. It is about the brave and bold ability to admit we are struggling and to ask for help, or to admit that we got it wrong and we are still open to learning and growing.

What does resilience mean to you? Come and explore this with me and other humanitarian and human rights practitioners, on 6th November - our first session with The Vulnerable Humanitarian Circle of Practice.