How to Build Resilience in Tough Times and Stay Positive When Life Gets Hard
- kim Wymer
- Jul 25, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 19
Life is full of ups and downs. Setbacks are part of the journey. Believe me, I even wrote a book about it!
But it’s not what happens to us that defines us… it’s how we respond.
If you’ve ever wondered how to build resilience in tough times, the answer isn’t about avoiding hardship.
It’s about strengthening your mindset so you can rise again — stronger, wiser and more grounded than before.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back, learn from experiences and keep getting up no matter how many times you fall.
And yes, you absolutely can build it.
What Is Resilience?
Resilience isn’t about pretending everything is fine.
It’s not toxic positivity.
It’s not suppressing emotion.
Resilience is emotional strength.
It’s the capacity to:
Face difficulty without giving up
Adapt when life doesn’t go to plan
Stay hopeful during uncertain seasons
Learn from setbacks instead of being defeated by them
The good news? It’s a skill. And skills can be developed.
Powerful Strategies To Build Resilience
Here are some proven strategies for developing resilience that you can start using today.
1️⃣ Embrace a Growth Mindset
When something goes wrong, ask yourself:
What is this teaching me?
Shifting your perspective changes everything. Instead of seeing challenges as failures, see them as stepping stones.
A growth mindset allows you to:
View obstacles as temporary
Understand that skills can improve
Recognise that struggle builds strength
This is one of the most powerful foundations for building resilience.
2️⃣ Build Strong Social Connections
You are not meant to do life alone.
One of the strongest predictors of resilience is connection. Surround yourself with people who uplift, support, and remind you of who you are when you forget.
When you’re going through hard times:
Talk to someone you trust
Accept support instead of isolating
Share honestly without shame
Strength grows faster in community.
3️⃣ Develop Healthy Coping Strategies
If you’re wondering how to stay positive during hard times, the answer lies in how you regulate stress.
Healthy coping strategies might include:
Exercise or movement
Meditation or breathwork
Journaling your thoughts
Spending time in nature
Creative outlets like art or music
These strategies are nervous system reset tools.
Resilience grows when you learn to calm your body and steady your thoughts.
4️⃣ Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness means being present without judgment.
When life feels overwhelming, your thoughts often spiral into:
“What if this never changes?”
“Why does this always happen to me?”
“I can’t handle this.”
Mindfulness interrupts that spiral.
It helps you:
Notice thoughts without believing all of them
Create space between emotion and reaction
Stay grounded in the present moment
This is essential if you want to build resilience in tough times.
5️⃣ Learn From Setbacks Instead of Resisting Them
Every setback carries a lesson.
Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” try asking:
What can I learn from this?
What would I do differently next time?
How has this strengthened me?
You truly do have solutions inside of you.
Reflection transforms pain into power.
6️⃣ Maintain a Positive Outlook (Without Ignoring Reality)
Staying positive during hard times does not mean pretending everything is perfect.
It means choosing empowering thoughts over destructive ones.
It means:
Practicing gratitude for what is working
Reminding yourself of past challenges you survived
Celebrating small wins
Speaking kindly to yourself
Positive reframing builds emotional stamina.
And emotional stamina builds resilience.
How to Stay Positive During Hard Times
If you’re currently in a difficult season, here are a few simple reminders:
This moment is temporary.
You have survived hard things before.
Growth often feels uncomfortable.
You are stronger than you think.
Resilience is not about avoiding challenges.
It’s about building the inner strength to navigate them with courage and determination.
You Are Stronger Than You Realise
Cultivating resilience is a journey.
When you practice these strategies for developing resilience, you begin to:
Trust yourself more
Recover faster from setbacks
Stay hopeful even when things feel uncertain
You are not weak for struggling.
You are human.
And every time you get back up, you are building strength.
You got this, Strong Warrior.
Go shine your light and be the example.
Sending you love and healing in my thoughts x
Kim xx
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