Table of contents
What does it mean to be resilient?
Resilience gets tossed around like a buzzword these days — in boardrooms, self-help books, even Instagram captions. But if you ask ten people to define it, you’ll probably get ten different answers.
For me, resilience isn’t just about “bouncing back.” It’s about adapting to change, recovering from setbacks, and still moving forward — even if it’s at a crawl. It’s about being flexible enough to pivot when your original plan falls apart, and strong enough to keep going when it feels easier to quit.
And here’s the important part: resilience is not a personality trait you’re born with or without. It’s a skill set — and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.
For me, resilience isn’t just about “bouncing back.” It’s about adapting to change, recovering from setbacks, and still moving forward — even if it’s at a crawl. It’s about being flexible enough to pivot when your original plan falls apart, and strong enough to keep going when it feels easier to quit.
And here’s the important part: resilience is not a personality trait you’re born with or without. It’s a skill set — and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and strengthened.
The core of resilience is behind what does it mean to be resilient
At its heart, resilience is the intersection of three abilities:
Think of resilience as a muscle. It responds to training, but it also needs rest and nourishment. The people we admire for their resilience aren’t immune to hardship — they’ve simply built the capacity to handle it. And that’s why what does it mean to be resilient is not just a definition; it’s a way of living.
Let’s clear up a few misconceptions that keep people from truly understanding resilience. To fully understand what does it mean to be resilient, it’s important to look at what resilience isn’t. Let’s look at some common myths.
Psychologists have studied resilience for decades, and one definition really captures its depth. According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.”
Busting the resilience myths
2
Myth 1: Resilient people don’t struggle.Not true. They feel fear, doubt, and stress just like anyone else. The difference is they keep going anyway.
3
Myth 2: Resilience is about staying positive.It’s not about blind optimism; it’s about realistic hope. You acknowledge the challenges while believing in your ability to get through them.
4
Myth 3: Resilience is solitary.The most resilient people often have strong support systems. Asking for help is part of resilience, not a weakness.
Real-world examples of resilience
I’ve seen resilience play out in countless ways:
These aren’t headline-grabbing stories — they’re everyday examples of people refusing to let circumstances dictate their future. If you’ve ever wondered what does it mean to be resilient in practice, these everyday examples show it’s not just about survival—it’s about transformation.
Why resilience matters more than ever
The pace of change is faster than it’s ever been. Industries are evolving, jobs are shifting, and unexpected crises — personal and global — are inevitable. Without resilience, every disruption feels like a breaking point.
But with resilience, those same disruptions can become turning points. You don’t just survive them; you leverage them. When leaders ask themselves what does it mean to be resilient in the face of constant change, the answer often shapes how they adapt, innovate, and inspire their teams. This is why resilience is a cornerstone skill for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to thrive in a constantly changing world.
But with resilience, those same disruptions can become turning points. You don’t just survive them; you leverage them. When leaders ask themselves what does it mean to be resilient in the face of constant change, the answer often shapes how they adapt, innovate, and inspire their teams. This is why resilience is a cornerstone skill for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to thrive in a constantly changing world.
Building your resilience toolkit
In order to fully understand what does it mean to be resilient, you must work on improving daily habits and mindset. If you’re still wondering what does it mean to be resilient in your own life, think of it as the intentional practice of preparing for challenges before they arrive. Resilience isn’t about waiting until disaster strikes and then scrambling to cope. Tragedies, stressful events, and other “bad news” doesn’t wait until our “timing in life is good”.
Here are five practices to start building your resilience today:
Here are five practices to start building your resilience today:
1. Re-frame setbacks. Train yourself to ask, “What can I learn from this?”, instead of “Why me?”. Avoid the victim mentality trap.
2. Strengthen your support network. Relationships are your safety net when life gets rough.
3. Prioritize self care. Relationships are your safety net when life gets rough.
4. Stay curious. Being open to new ideas makes adaptability easier.
5. Set micro-goals. Small wins keep momentum alive during long challenges.
Resilience in action: A personal note
When I went through one of my toughest seasons—navigating burnout, personal loss, and a major career pivot—I found myself asking what does it mean to be resilient when life feels like it’s unraveling. The answer wasn’t about grand gestures. It was about small, daily choices: calling a friend instead of isolating, walking for ten minutes instead of collapsing on the couch, rewriting my goals when the old ones no longer fit
Those little choices stacked up over time. They didn’t erase the hardship, but they made it navigable. And that’s the truth about resilience: it doesn’t eliminate the storm, but it helps you steer through it. And in those moments, you truly learn what does it mean to be resilient for yourself.
Those little choices stacked up over time. They didn’t erase the hardship, but they made it navigable. And that’s the truth about resilience: it doesn’t eliminate the storm, but it helps you steer through it. And in those moments, you truly learn what does it mean to be resilient for yourself.
Your resilience check in
If you’re wondering where to start, ask yourself these questions:
Your answers will reveal your resilience strengths — and where you can grow. And as you answer them, you may find your own definition of what does it mean to be resilient evolving.
Final thoughts
Resilience isn’t a single moment of heroism. It’s an ongoing process of learning, adjusting, and showing up repeatedly, no matter how many times life knocks you sideways. If you’ve ever wondered what does it mean to be resilient in real life, it’s about taking these lessons and applying them daily, in both big challenges and small setbacks. So what does it mean to be resilient? It means you face reality head-on, adapt to it, and keep moving toward the life you want — one small, determined step at a time.
So what does it mean to be resilient? It means you face reality head-on, adapt to it, and keep moving toward the life you want — one small, determined step at a time.
So what does it mean to be resilient? It means you face reality head-on, adapt to it, and keep moving toward the life you want — one small, determined step at a time.
Want support? Let’s build it together.
At Resilience Brilliance, I offer four powerful options to build resilience:
✨ Resilience Reset — 7 Days to Recharge & Rise— A 7-day nervous system 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 — 6-Week Private Resilience Coaching—Deep, personalized resilience work for high-achieving women ready to reclaim calm, clarity, and lasting well-being.
✨ VIP Resilience Refuge Retreat — Private Luxury Immersion. Deep healing for executives and high-achievers ready for rapid transformation. Book a meeting to discuss your retreat where you reboot and experience a dream adventure at your destination of choice.
Fortify™ Resilience — Unlock lasting strength with ongoing 1:1 private coaching. 12-month private coaching experience created for women who are committed to building resilience and sustaining it over time.
✨ Resilience Reset — 7 Days to Recharge & Rise— A 7-day nervous system 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 — 6-Week Private Resilience Coaching—Deep, personalized resilience work for high-achieving women ready to reclaim calm, clarity, and lasting well-being.
✨ VIP Resilience Refuge Retreat — Private Luxury Immersion. Deep healing for executives and high-achievers ready for rapid transformation. Book a meeting to discuss your retreat where you reboot and experience a dream adventure at your destination of choice.
Fortify™ Resilience — Unlock lasting strength with ongoing 1:1 private coaching. 12-month private coaching experience created for women who are committed to building resilience and sustaining it over time.
