Resilient People: 10 Traits of Highly Resilient People 

As I've journeyed through life, I've come to realize nobody escapes life unscathed, and the key to thriving is ultimately how we cope with the cards we’ve been dealt. Resilience isn't about avoiding pain—it's about allowing it to move through you and then thoughtfully deciding what you’re going to do about it.  The truth is, even though life deals us cards we would have never picked ourselves, how we play those cards falls back to the power that lies within each of us. 

Resilient people feel the same emotions as everyone else, but they have a unique awareness that helps them navigate life's highs and lows more effectively.

These individuals don’t just survive difficult times; they emerge stronger, more adaptable, and better prepared for whatever comes next because they know how to positively navigate despite the emotional pain. That’s really key because it’s not like the pain just goes away one day because for most of us, it doesn’t.  

So resilience, then, is about growing and evolving despite the emotional pain. It’s not about being stopped by obstacles but about using inner awareness and strength to navigate them.

By exploring the 10 key traits of highly resilient people, we can gain insight into how they maintain their internal awareness and approach challenges with a mindset that allows them to keep moving forward.

Throughout my life, I’ve intentionally sought out ways to cultivate resilience. I’ve learned that it’s not just a trait we’re born with, but something we can actively develop. By being consciously aware and committing to rewiring my brain through daily practices and reading, I’ve strengthened my resilience. Neuroscience has shown our brains are malleable, and with focused effort, we can enhance our ability to navigate life’s ups and downs. This journey has taught me that resilience is a skill we can all work on, and it’s one that has empowered me to face challenges with a stronger, more adaptable mindset.  I believe I’m a happier and more loving person because of these efforts.

What Is Resilience and Why Is It Important?

But enough about me, why is resilience important for you?  Since resilience is the ability to get back up after tough times, it's key for handling life's ups and downs with purpose. When you’re resilient you’ll see challenges as normal parts of life.

This can be easier said than done however.  When my daughter Jenna passed away at the age of fourteen, you can imagine how this didn’t feel like one of life’s ‘ups and downs’.  Nope! This was a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, wildfire, and apocalypse all in one.  It was crippling.

But here is an important point.  I knew it was crippling.  I was hyper-aware of the pain and heartbreak pulsing through every fiber of my being and I also knew I had a big decision to make.  Would I let Jenna’s death destroy me or would I choose to live my love for her out into the world?  

This is the only difference between a resilient person and a person who struggles to bounce back.  They simply aren’t aware they have this power inside themselves to make such a choice. Resilient people know how to come out stronger. 

Resilience: The Ability to Rise Again

In my journey, I've discovered that being resilient doesn’t mean you're shielded from life's challenges. Far from it. Resilience is about adapting and finding the strength to recover when life throws you off course. It’s about recognizing that setbacks, while extremely painful and sometimes debilitating, are opportunities for growth rather than permanent roadblocks. I’ve learned that by managing our emotions, staying positive, and taking decisive action, we can navigate obstacles and come out stronger on the other side. This mindset doesn’t just help us survive; it empowers us to rise again, each time with a bit more wisdom and strength and a lot more love and compassion in our hearts.

The Crucial Role of Resilience in Difficult Times

In an unpredictable world, resilience is more than just a nice-to-have trait—it’s essential. Life’s challenges are inevitable, and resilience is what helps us face them with courage and intention. It’s the quality that allows us to recover from setbacks, maintain our well-being, and continue growing as individuals. Building resilience isn’t an overnight process though; it’s something we cultivate over time, improving our ability to cope with life’s adversities one step at a time.

As I’ve worked on developing my own resilience, I’ve found it strengthens not only my adaptability and resourcefulness but also my sense of control over my life, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances. One of the best parts of building resilience is how it wears off on the people around you. As you become a beacon of strength, you inspire others—offering them a living example of “If she can do it, I can do it.” I’ve witnessed my own efforts influence my husband, children, mom, and sister, as they, too, began to draw on their inner strength and resilience. It’s a powerful reminder that when we cultivate resilience within ourselves, we’re not just changing our own lives; we’re empowering those we love to navigate their own challenges with greater strength and hope.

Resilient People: 10 Traits That Define Them

Resilient people have special traits that help them handle life's challenges. These traits are key to their ability to bounce back stronger. Let's look at the 10 main traits of highly resilient people.

1. Awareness: Resilient people have a deep self-awareness. They understand their emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and triggers, which helps them navigate challenges with clarity and intention. You can build awareness by practicing mindfulness, journaling, emotional check-ins and self-reflection.  
2. Skill Building: Resilient people actively work on developing skills that enhance their resilience. They understand that resilience is something that can be cultivated through deliberate practice. This often involves engaging in continuous learning through reading, attending workshops, and participating in other personal development activities to strengthen their mental and emotional fortitude.
3. Internal Dialogue: Resilient individuals are skilled at directing their internal dialogue. They consciously choose thoughts that empower and uplift them, especially during difficult times.
4. Purposefulness: They have a strong sense of purpose or meaning in their lives, which drives them to overcome challenges and stay focused on their long-term goals.
5. Emotional Regulation: They can manage their feelings well, keeping negative emotions in check and maintaining composure during tough times.
6. Optimism: Resilient people stay positive and hopeful, even when things get tough. They believe they can get through and succeed.
7. Problem-Solving: They are adept at spotting problems and coming up with creative solutions. Their ability to think critically and resourcefully allows them to overcome obstacles.
8. Perseverance: Resilient individuals are persistent and determined. They continue to push forward and work towards their goals despite facing setbacks or difficulties.
9. Support-Seeking: They recognize when they need help and are willing to seek support from others. This includes reaching out to friends, family, or professionals when necessary.
10. Flexibility: Resilient individuals are open to change and willing to adjust their plans or approaches when needed. They embrace new perspectives and are willing to adapt their strategies to fit evolving circumstances.

These traits are just a few that make highly resilient people stand out. By working on these traits yourself, you can build your resilience to face life's challenges.

Remember, resilience isn't something you're born with. It's a skill that can be developed over time. By working on these 10 traits, anyone can become more resilient and thrive in a changing world.

Optimism: A Key Factor in Resilience

People who are resilient often have a positive outlook. Psychology Today shows how important positive thinking is for personal growth. Being resilient means learning to overcome tough times, and optimism helps a lot with this.

The Power of Positive Thinking

When facing challenges, having a positive mindset makes you more resilient. Optimism helps see tough times as normal parts of life, not huge problems. This way, you can recover from hard times, grow personally, and keep your emotional balance when stressed.

Cultivating an Optimistic Mindset

You can learn and improve an optimistic mindset. Asking for help is a great way to start. By getting support from others, you can build resilience and learn from those who have gone through similar experiences.

Focusing on what makes your life joyful and meaningful can also help you maintain an optimistic outlook. This positive focus aids in getting back on track after tough times.  Start small here.  If your challenge is great, it will be difficult to appreciate what brings you joy because you’re in such a dark and lonely place.  Keep looking.  I promise you, there are small treasures of joy all around you.  

If your loved one passed away and you can’t imagine living without them, then focus on the gift they were and will always be in your life.  There is joy in that gift.  Hold on to it as a guiding light forward.

By choosing to direct your thoughts in such a way, you’ll find yourself better equipped to put one foot in front of the other. This approach allows you to be patient with yourself and embrace your growth through resilience, which is an essential part of moving forward. 

I think this is an important place to acknowledge that resilience isn’t a destination, it’s an intention and intending to be resilient is the first step on the journey forward.

Emotional Intelligence and Resilience

As I’ve shared throughout this article, resilience is all about bouncing back from tough times, and a key component of this process is emotional intelligence. Knowing how to understand and manage your feelings enables you to navigate life's challenges more effectively. With high emotional intelligence, you become more adaptable and better equipped to handle stress.

It's important to remember that emotional intelligence isn't something we're simply born with—it's a set of skills that we learn and develop over time. If your parents or caregivers didn't teach you how to effectively deal with and navigate your emotions, or if they weren't the best examples themselves, be gentle with yourself. Recognizing and processing emotions can be challenging, especially if you haven't had guidance along the way.

The good news is that it's never too late to cultivate emotional intelligence. Through self-reflection, education, and practice, you can learn to understand your emotions better and respond to them in healthier ways. This growth not only enhances your resilience but also improves your relationships and overall well-being. So, give yourself grace during this learning process and celebrate each step you take toward greater emotional awareness and strength.

Understanding and Managing Emotions

As a resilient person, you know how to handle your emotions, whether they’re positive or negative. You see emotions as a normal part of life and find healthy ways to manage them. By being aware of your feelings and learning to control them, you build a strong support network around you. To strengthen your emotional resilience, you can:

• Identify and label emotions as they arise
• Develop strategies to manage intense or overwhelming feelings
• Cultivate empathy and understanding for the emotions of others
• Seek out social support and healthy coping mechanisms

Understanding and managing your emotions makes you more resilient. It helps you navigate life’s ups and downs with greater ease. Emotional intelligence is key to bouncing back from tough times. 

Resilient People: Embracing Change and Facing Challenges Head-On

Resilient people know that life is always changing. Although they may not welcome these changes with open arms, they’re capable of dealing with them as they come. By facing challenges directly, they can beat setbacks and live happier lives. This skill to adapt and succeed against adversity shows their resilience.

Studies from the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania reveal that resilient folks have a capacity to cope with stress and emotional pain. They adjust their choices and handle difficulties well, keeping a stable mindset during stress. They see challenges as chances to grow, not just hurdles to skip.

Throughout my life, I’ve learned that moving forward and accepting uncertainty is a key part of building resilience. By embracing this mindset, I’ve been able to prevent life’s negative and devastating events from crippling me. Resilient people understand that dealing with tough times is a skill that grows with time and intentional practice. This realization has made me more confident in tackling challenges, helping me avoid falling into the traps of self-pity or giving up.

In my journey, I’ve turned my troubles into positives by using the pain I’ve experienced as a catalyst for change. Rather than being overwhelmed by adversity and heartache, I’ve found strength in knowing that each challenge is an opportunity to grow, not just for myself but also for those around me. My efforts to cultivate resilience have not only benefited me but have also influenced those I care about, helping them find their own strength in difficult times.

I’d love to hear your stories of resilience and answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to reach out to me at dena@hersmile.org.  You’re never alone!