Rediscovering Inner Strengths: Building Resilience and Reducing Anxiety

I want to preface this post by recognising that the current environment in which we are existing is, reasonably so, activating a huge amount of worry, stress, fear, and anxiety in many people.

Recognising this is important. When so many aspects of life feel outside of our control, it is normal to have some anxious thoughts about what that means for you as an individual, those you care about, and others in your community.

I hope this post can restore some hope and remind you that even in tumultuous times, there's an opportunity to activate our own strengths, build resilience, and soften the hold that anxiety can have on us.

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As a professional counsellor, I have had the privilege of witnessing individuals embark on their journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. One of the most transformative aspects of this journey is helping clients rediscover their inner strengths and trust their own judgment. By doing so, we can significantly reduce anxiety and build resilience.

To help illustrate what it means to name and own our inner strengths, I want to use myself and disclose a bit about a strength that I wasn't always comfortable with.

I have always had the ability to talk. Bring up any topic and I'm there. I'm engaged. I might know something, I might not. But ultimately, I'm there to have fun with it, to wonder aloud, to be curious, to consider what we might want to think or feel about this idea. I love to talk to people I love and I love to talk to people I have just met.

So many times, I have seen this as one of my weaknesses. My talkative nature was the reason why people may not choose to connect with me or be around me. When I was younger, I would save this side for only those I knew really loved me and that I trusted. It meant I did feel lonely or misunderstood during these times.

But quite recently, I've changed my point of view on this.

Florence Given is a British author, illustrator, and feminist who is a self-described yapper. Given encourages yappers far and wide to use this yapping strength to create art and to share their ideas with the world. This silly and compassionate word really reframed something I had already been coming to understand about myself (Thanks, Florence!). Being able to talk shouldn’t activate shame; it can be a source of resilience and empowerment.

In discovering who I am, I have realised that one of my strengths includes being a yapper. Being a talker and being able to articulate myself with words has served me in so many areas of my life. It has helped me in my career, in my academics, and in my relationships. It even helped me write this blog.

Being a yapper means that I'm not afraid to speak up when I witness injustice. It means that I will support others to learn how to speak up for themselves. Being a yapper is who I am. It is a tool to drawn upon whenever I need resilience. No one can take that resource from me.

With my story in mind, let me share some insights and strategies that have proven effective in this process of discovering our inner strengths and using them to combat our worries.

The Power of Inner Strengths

Every individual possesses unique strengths and abilities, though they may not always be aware of them. Life's challenges and setbacks can often cloud our perception of ourselves, leading to self-doubt and anxiety. My role as a counsellor is to guide clients in uncovering these hidden strengths and recognizing their inherent value.

One of my clients, Sarah, came to me feeling overwhelmed and anxious about her career and personal life. Through our sessions, we explored her past achievements, skills, and personal qualities. Sarah began to see patterns of resilience and resourcefulness that she had previously overlooked. This newfound awareness empowered her to approach her challenges with a renewed sense of confidence.

Trusting Your Own Judgment

Anxiety often stems from a lack of trust in one's own judgment. Many clients struggle with decision-making, fearing that they will make the wrong choice. By fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment, I help clients build trust in their own decision-making abilities.

When we are aware of our inner strengths, we have a greater sense of competency. We feel like we know what we’re doing. Resilience comes from knowing we have the inner resources to deal with a hard situation. To be able to trust our own judgment, we need to look at ourselves more clearly, including our strengths. When we start to believe that we have the tools necessary to deal with the hard thing, our anxiety around that concern softens.

Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Building Resilience

I really want to encourage you to identify and then leverage your strengths. This can be done through reflective exercises, journaling, or discussing past successes. Focusing on strengths helps shift the narrative from self-doubt to self-assurance.

If you find the idea of this terrifying or nearly impossible, then I might suggest starting by asking someone you really trust. What strengths do they see? What do they admire about your character? Can they tell you a story about a time when you used your strengths?

If even that feels like too much, this is where you could benefit from working with a counsellor. Counsellors are trained and equipped to explore your inner world with you and alongside you in non-judgmental, encouraging, and supportive ways.

Here are some of the strategies that may be introduced to manage anxiety and explore your inner strengths:

• Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: Mindfulness techniques teach us to stay present and will reduce anxiety the more we use them. Self-compassion exercises can also help us be kinder to ourselves, reducing the harsh self-criticism that often accompanies anxiety.

• Goal Setting and Action Plans: Set realistic and achievable goals. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps can make the process less daunting and more attainable. Notice where your strengths will help you take action.

• Cognitive Restructuring: Identify and challenge negative thought patterns. By reframing these thoughts, you can begin to develop a more balanced outlook on yourself and the issue.

• Building a Support Network: Seek support from friends, family, or support groups. A strong support network can provide encouragement and perspective during challenging times.

Final Thoughts

I hope for all of us we can rediscover our inner strengths and trust our own judgment. In doing this, we can create a foundation for reducing anxiety and building resilience.

This process is not about eliminating challenges but shining a spotlight on the tools you have so that you can have the confidence to navigate these challenges effectively.

Empowering ourselves means recognizing our potential and embracing our journey with courage and self-assurance.

Sometimes we just need a bit of support from a yapper to get going.