Counterpoint: Adversity Does NOT Build Resilience
There is a common misconception that facing adversity is a good way to build up one’s resilience. The idea is that tough times create tough people. While I understand why people think this, unquestionably this is far from the truth.
Adversity does not build resilience, it only test resilience. Resilience can only be developed in times of peace. Think about it this way, the simplest way to define resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, and adversity is like a storm. Would you build a house in the middle of a storm?
If not, why would you think you can build resilience in the midst of adversity? The truth is that you don’t build during storms, you take cover. So if resilience protects you from storms, it’s best to prepare before the storm hits.
Another analogy that I think is even better and more accurate is looking at resilience as a muscle. Just like building any muscle it requires healthy inputs to produce healthy outputs. Yes, building a muscle does require resistance. However, resistance alone without the right nutrition, rest, and mindset before you face that resistance does a muscle no good.
With this in mind, ideally resilience is a proactive muscle to build before you face adversity, not during. While it’s true that life often throws unpredictable curveballs that aren’t ideal, one thing is for sure. Everyone will eventually face some type of adversity.
Therefore, building resilience is a muscle we all must work on building in our normal, hopefully peaceful everyday lives. This means working towards living a life with purpose, focusing on things you control, doing more of what makes you enthusiastic, avoiding negativity, practicing gratitude, and treating yourself and others with kindness.