Resilience: A Journey of Growth
Handling hardships with grace and eventually growing from them.
When you look back on the challenges you've faced, how many times have you managed to get through what life threw your way?
These journeys of facing adversity shape who we are.
I remember a time when I went through a difficult period. My first instinct was to escape, to leave it all behind, thinking that walking away might bring relief. Holding on was far from easy, but sometimes, it’s the one choice we can make—to hold onto even the smallest glimmer of hope that things might change. That hope, no matter how faint, is a strength and a virtue in itself.
After those dark days passed, they all became crucial parts of me–pieces that molded me into the person I am today. Your journey building your resilience is unique to you, but one universal truth is that, while difficult, they lay the foundation for our inner strength and the person that we are.
Hard times: A chance to revisit ourselves.
When you’re facing challenges, what emotions do you tend to feel or what thoughts do you have in mind? How do these emotions and thoughts help you navigate through the challenges?
Reflecting on this further, though these internal experiences can be uncomfortable, if we take a moment to observe them without attaching them to our identity, might we approach life’s challenges differently?
For instance, when you feel nervous about a new project you just started and have thoughts flooding into your mind about what may happen, does that make you a worrier? Or could it simply mean you are someone who is naturally cautious and thoughtful about the unknown? Feeling nervous in new situations often reflects a healthy sense of awareness and a desire to prepare, rather than a weakness. Embracing these uncomfortable feelings as part of growth can be a valuable way to build resilience and deepen self-understanding.
On the journey to resilience, choose a narrative about yourself that serves your purpose.
Image from Pola Fijalko
Take a step towards your inner strength.
Each day brings us an opportunity to become more aligned with the person we want to be. Though some chapters of our stories are already behind us, we still have the power to shape how the rest unfolds.
Impermanence is the one constant thing in life, and so these hard days, too, shall pass.
Ground yourself in who you are. Through every high and low, you’re your own constant companion. Take a moment to reconnect with the “you” within by reflecting on the journey you have traveled so far. Be curious about the person you’ve become, and imagine the path you want to take in the days ahead.
Tools to Rediscover Your Power
The Self Hug’s Self-Reflection Journal can accompany you on your journey of self-exploration. With gentle prompts, it guides you to revisit the past, live fully in the present, and shape the future you envision. Even when life feels challenging, we have the choice to stay rooted in our inner strength and grow into who we want to be. Resilience isn’t just about surviving hard times—it’s about evolving through them. It’s a journey of tapping into our inner strength, navigating life with grace, and embracing the growth that comes with every challenge.
The Self-Reflection Journal by The Self Hug
About Our Author
Yanitrasari Widyastuti is a mental health therapist and wellness consultant with a background in psychology and counseling, devoted to helping others on their path to well-being. Driven by a belief in the power of empathy to inspire self-discovery and growth, she’s passionate about guiding people to reconnect with themselves. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Yanitrasari starts her mornings with a walk to her favorite coffee spot, cherishing the small rituals that keep her grounded in the present.
