What Does it Really Mean To Be Resilient?
Daksha Patel 
Resilience is more than just bouncing back—what if it’s really about tuning in? Read my reflections in the blog.
Resilience is a word we hear often, especially in conversations about overcoming adversity, bouncing back from setbacks, or dealing with life’s challenges. It’s a powerful concept, yet its true essence extends far beyond simply ‘bouncing back.’
For me, resilience is not just about survival—it’s about growth, transformation and stepping into a stronger, more empowered version of yourself.
The Many Faces of Resilience
There are countless definitions of resilience. Some see it as the ability to withstand hardship, while others define it as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
The American Psychological Association describes resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.
Psychologist Martin Seligman, known for his work in positive psychology, links resilience to optimism, a growth mindset and the ability to reframe setbacks into opportunities.
While these definitions capture aspects of resilience, I see it as something even more profound—something deeply connected to the heart. This is why I talk about building a Resilient Heart.
The Resilient Heart: More Than Just Mental Toughness
In my work, I emphasise that resilience is not just about grit, endurance, or willpower. True resilience comes from the heart - your ability to navigate challenges with love, courage and emotional intelligence. A Resilient Heart means being able to embrace your emotions, make choices that align with your values and cultivate inner strength through self-awareness and connection.
The heart is at the centre of who you are. It’s where you feel the depth of your experiences, process your struggles and find the courage to keep going. When you operate from a heart-centred place, resilience becomes a process of thriving rather than merely surviving.
The Space Between: The Power of Choice
One of the most profound perspectives on resilience comes from Viktor Frankl, who said:
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
This space is where resilience lives. It’s where we get to decide how we will respond to challenges - not from a place of fear, panic, or reactivity, but from a place of wisdom and strength. It is in this space that we can access the qualities of the heart: calm, compassion, connection, clarity, curiosity, confidence, creativity, and courage.
How I Discovered the Power of a Resilient Heart
There was a time in my life when I felt overwhelmed by stress and exhaustion, constantly juggling endless demands and struggling to find 'me' time. Negative self-talk chipped away at my confidence, reinforcing limiting beliefs and keeping me in a cycle of self-doubt. I realised I had been neglecting my heart's true desires, conforming to an identity shaped by others and yearning for more joy, fulfilment, purpose, confidence, and freedom.
This period of my life was a turning point. I recognised that I was not alone in this struggle; many ambitious women experience similar challenges, feeling stressed, shattered and stuck in the feeling of 'not enoughness.' This realisation fuelled my passion to continually transform my life and support others in doing the same.
By learning to tap into the power of the heart - by choosing calm over chaos, curiosity over fear and courage over doubt, I discovered that resilience is not just about enduring hardship but about navigating life with a sense of inner peace and strength.
Resilience is a Choice
One of my core beliefs is that resilience is not something you are simply born with, it’s something you can cultivate. It’s a conscious choice you make every day, in how you respond to setbacks, how you care for yourself and how you show up in the world.
So, what does resilience mean to me? It means standing strong in the face of adversity, but with an open heart. It means learning, growing and choosing to live with courage and compassion. It means embracing every challenge as an opportunity to rise stronger.
And most importantly, it means knowing that no matter what happens, you always have the power within you to create the life you desire through the choices you make.
Ready to Build a More Resilient Heart?
I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and find out more about each other.
Categories: : Resilience, Stress