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Loneliness is more than a passing emotion — it’s a public health crisis. Research shows chronic loneliness can be as damaging to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And in 2025, it’s not just an “elderly” issue. People of all ages, especially those in high-pressure roles, are quietly struggling.
I’ve seen it firsthand in boardrooms, at community events, and even in tight-knit families. You can be surrounded by people and still feel invisible. But here’s the part we often overlook: building connection is a skill. And resilience — the ability to adapt and recover — is the bridge that helps you cross from isolation to belonging. Those small, consistent choices to reach out are everyday examples of resilience in action.
I’ve seen it firsthand in boardrooms, at community events, and even in tight-knit families. You can be surrounded by people and still feel invisible. But here’s the part we often overlook: building connection is a skill. And resilience — the ability to adapt and recover — is the bridge that helps you cross from isolation to belonging. Those small, consistent choices to reach out are everyday examples of resilience in action.
The resilience link and why connection matters more than ever
Human beings are wired for connection. It’s not a bonus — it’s essential to our emotional and mental resilience. When we feel seen, heard, and valued, our stress levels drop, our immune systems strengthen, and our capacity to adapt skyrockets.
One of my clients, a high-achieving executive, came to me feeling utterly alone despite leading a team of 200. Her examples of resilience didn’t come from adding dozens of new contacts to her network. It came from deepening one meaningful relationship she already had. She shifted from surface-level check-ins to honest, vulnerable conversations. That one safe relationship became her anchor — and her resilience shot up.
One of my clients, a high-achieving executive, came to me feeling utterly alone despite leading a team of 200. Her examples of resilience didn’t come from adding dozens of new contacts to her network. It came from deepening one meaningful relationship she already had. She shifted from surface-level check-ins to honest, vulnerable conversations. That one safe relationship became her anchor — and her resilience shot up.
Recognizing a connection deficit: Examples of resilience start with awareness
Loneliness doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it creeps in quietly, masked by busyness or productivity. Here are signs you might be in a connection deficit, even if you’re constantly “around people”:
The first act of resilience here is simple: name it. Noticing these patterns is one of the earliest examples of resilience — awareness that opens the door to change.
Building connection muscles
Connection works like a muscle — you must exercise it consistently. You don’t go from zero to running a marathon overnight; you start small and build up. Each practice below can become repeatable examples of resilience that compound over time.
Here are practical ways to flex your connection muscle:
Here are practical ways to flex your connection muscle:
One client who moved to a new city had no built-in network. She committed to attending one local event per month and following up with one person afterward for coffee. Within six months, she’d built a circle she could both lean on and contribute to—one of many everyday examples of resilience.
Connection turns isolation into belonging. The smallest check-in, the honest test, the five-minute phone call—these are powerful examples of resilience.
Community as a resilience strategy: Every day examples of resilience you can lean on
In resilience coaching, I often talk about “personal support infrastructure” — the people, places, and practices you can lean on during hard times. Having a community is like having a safety net you didn’t realize you needed until life throws you a curve ball.
For some, this means a faith group or mastermind community. For others, it’s a handful of friends who “get it” without explanation. The key is that the community is reciprocal — you give as well as receive. Shared rituals—weekly check-ins, group texts, standing coffees—are communal examples of resilience that keep support active and alive.
And yes, introverts, this applies to you too. Connection doesn’t have to mean endless social events. A few deep, reliable relationships can provide just as much resilience fuel as a large network.
For some, this means a faith group or mastermind community. For others, it’s a handful of friends who “get it” without explanation. The key is that the community is reciprocal — you give as well as receive. Shared rituals—weekly check-ins, group texts, standing coffees—are communal examples of resilience that keep support active and alive.
And yes, introverts, this applies to you too. Connection doesn’t have to mean endless social events. A few deep, reliable relationships can provide just as much resilience fuel as a large network.
“Strengthening relationships can significantly reduce health risks and improve quality of life.”
— U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on the healing effects of social connection
Why resilience and connection matter now more than ever
We’re living in a paradox: technology connects us instantly, but many feel more disconnected than ever. Remote work, shifting social norms, and post-pandemic realities have reshaped how (and how often) we interact. The loneliness epidemic is real, and it’s eroding engagement, creativity, and well-being — especially in leadership roles.
This is where resilience shows up in its most practical form. Choosing to build and nurture connections—even when you’re tired, busy, or feeling vulnerable—is an act of courage. If you need inspiration, look for examples of resilience around you: the colleague who invites a new hire to lunch, the neighbor who organizes a block walk, the friend who checks in “just because.” It’s an investment in your future self.
This is where resilience shows up in its most practical form. Choosing to build and nurture connections—even when you’re tired, busy, or feeling vulnerable—is an act of courage. If you need inspiration, look for examples of resilience around you: the colleague who invites a new hire to lunch, the neighbor who organizes a block walk, the friend who checks in “just because.” It’s an investment in your future self.
Your 30-day connection challenge
To strengthen your connection muscles, try this plan for one month. Use it to generate personal examples of resilience you can repeat and refine.
Document the process. Notice how your mood, energy, and outlook shift. By the end, you’ll have four concrete examples of resilience you can build on.
Final thoughts
Resilience isn’t always about “toughing it out” alone. In fact, some of the most powerful examples of resilience are found in the quiet, everyday moments when you choose to let someone in — and they choose to do the same for you.
If loneliness has been part of your story, start with one habit. One conversation. One connection. You don’t need to rebuild your social world overnight. But you do need to start. Because connection isn’t just a human need — it’s resilience in action.
If loneliness has been part of your story, start with one habit. One conversation. One connection. You don’t need to rebuild your social world overnight. But you do need to start. Because connection isn’t just a human need — it’s resilience in action.
Want support? Let’s build it together
At Resilience Brilliance, I offer four powerful options to build resilience, so when someone asks you, “What is resilience?”, you not only know the answer but you live the answer.
- Resilience Reset – A 7-day nervous system reboot and mindset jump start
- Build Resilience – Build lifelong skills at your own pace.
- Be Resilient™ elevated experience – Hybrid program which includes 2 private coaching sessions
- The Resilient Woman™ Experience – Deep, personalized resilience work for high-achieving women ready to master resilience, overcome burnout, and thrive with purpose
- VIP Resilience Refuge Retreat – A luxurious, one-on-one immersion to reset deeply and rise faster. Find out more.
- Fortify™ resilience – 12-month private coaching experience created for women who are committed to building resilience and sustaining it over time.
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