Resilience: Not one size fits all
Kelly Shores Kelly Shores

Resilience: Not one size fits all

The article argues that resilience is a unique and individual process, not a fixed trait or simply "pushing through" pain (grit).

  • True resilience is about understanding what you currently need to help you grow, which can mean taking action, resting, asking for help, or revisiting old wounds with greater understanding.

  • Psychological Flexibility is presented as a helpful framework for resilience, which involves:

    • Acceptance: Allowing difficult thoughts and emotions to exist without fighting them.

    • Cognitive Defusion: Noticing thoughts as mere thoughts, not absolute truths.

    • Present-Moment Awareness: Staying grounded in the now to respond rather than react.

    • Values: Using what is meaningful to you as a compass for choosing which struggles to engage with.

    • Committed Action: Taking small, values-based steps.

  • For some, resilience also means containment—the ability to hold emotions safely (e.g., using grounding strategies) without becoming overwhelmed.

  • The process is grown through recognizing personal mental habits (like catastrophizing or avoidance) without judgment and making small, sustainable shifts.

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Grateful Hearts, Joyful Lives
Kelly Shores Kelly Shores

Grateful Hearts, Joyful Lives

Gratitude is a positive emotion involving being thankful and appreciative of the good, both big and small, in our lives.

It is more than just a fleeting feeling; it's a way of being that actively seeks out the positive

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The Relationship between Anxiety and Avoidance

The Relationship between Anxiety and Avoidance

Do you ever feel like you're stuck on a loop? That urgent need to make anxiety go away right now is something we all understand. Whether you're physically sick with worry or drowning in anxious thoughts, the fix seems simple: just avoid the trigger. That momentary relief is powerful, but it's a deceptive bargain. By avoiding, we teach our brain that we simply can't handle the discomfort, gradually turning a coping tool into a massive barrier. If you're tired of having your life dictated by the anxiety-avoidance cycle, read on to learn the gentle, yet powerful, strategies for rebuilding your tolerance.

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Withdrawing to Re-engage
Kelly Shores Kelly Shores

Withdrawing to Re-engage

Taking a cue from a certain popular chicken chain, maybe it's time we all scheduled in a day of rest! This article explores the benefits of rest, not just for businesses, but for our own mental health and well-being. It's about finding balance and remembering that a break can lead to greater effectiveness.

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