How I Built My Emotional and Physical Resilience

Resilience is a word we hear often, yet it’s one of the most misunderstood aspects of personal growth. Resilience isn’t about being unshakeable or pretending everything is okay. It’s about finding strength in messy moments, navigating life’s challenges, and showing up for yourself even when it feels like the hardest thing to do.

For me, resilience has been a journey—a mix of physical habits, emotional growth, and plenty of trial and error. I’ve had to figure out what works for me, let go of what doesn’t, and trust the process. Here’s how I’ve built my emotional and physical resilience, piece by piece.

Step 1: Start with Your Body

When I first felt like life knocked me down, I turned to movement—not because I wanted a quick fix, but because I needed an outlet. Moving my body became a way to release pent-up emotions and reconnect with myself.

I started small: a Pilates class here, a brisk walk there. And with each session, I began to notice something. The physical strength I was building mirrored something deeper. When my muscles burned from a workout, it reminded me that I could endure discomfort and still come out stronger on the other side.

Building physical resilience isn’t about overdoing it or meeting someone else’s standard. It’s about finding what feels good and sticking with it. For me, this has meant Pilates, strength training, and the occasional dance session in my living room. For you, it might mean yoga, running, or simply stretching every morning. The key is consistency, not perfection.

Step 2: Embrace Your Emotions

Let’s get real: Emotional resilience is messy. It’s not about avoiding the hard stuff; it’s about learning to sit with it, process it, and move forward.

For years, I have had this habit of bottling things up, thinking that ignoring my feelings would make them disappear. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work. What works is creating space for your emotions, whether journaling, talking to someone you trust, or just letting yourself cry when you need to.

I started journaling, not in a rigid, “write every day” kind of way, but as a safe space to unpack my thoughts whenever they felt too heavy. Some days, it’s just a few sentences. On other days, it’s pages. Writing helps me sort through what’s swirling in my head and gives me clarity when I feel overwhelmed.

But emotional resilience isn’t just about processing; it’s also about letting go. This has been one of the hardest lessons for me. I’ve had to learn that holding onto resentment, fear, or self-doubt only weighs me down. Letting go isn’t about ignoring those feelings—it’s about acknowledging them and deciding they don’t get to control you anymore.

Step 3: Build a Support System

Resilience doesn’t happen in isolation. I’ve learned that having people who support, challenge, and encourage you can make all the difference. This has looked like reaching out to friends when I feel stuck, leaning on mentors (people with more experience) for guidance, and even seeking community in unexpected places.

One of the most transformative moments in my journey was realizing that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength. Whether it’s a partner who cheers you on, a coach who helps you find clarity, or a group of like-minded women who understand your journey, surrounding yourself with the right people can fuel your resilience in unexpected ways.

Step 4: Create Small Wins

Resilience is built in the little moments. It’s not about giant leaps; it’s about taking one small, intentional step at a time. When life feels overwhelming, I focus on what I can do instead of fixating on what I can’t.

Sometimes, that looks like setting a tiny goal, like drinking more water or taking a 10-minute walk. Other times, it’s celebrating small victories, like completing a challenging project or simply getting through a tough day. Those small wins add up, and they build the foundation of resilience over time.

Step 5: Focus on Alignment

Here’s the thing about resilience: It’s hard to build when you’re out of alignment. For a long time, I stayed in situations that didn’t feel right—jobs that drained me, habits that didn’t serve me, relationships that left me feeling less than. And you know what? Those things made it harder to bounce back when life got tough.

When I started prioritizing alignment—choosing work, habits, and relationships that felt right for me—everything began to shift. Resilience became less about “toughing it out” and more about creating a life that supported me, even in the hard times.

Step 6: Trust the Process

Building resilience isn’t a one-and-done thing. It’s an ongoing journey, full of ups and downs. There are days when I feel strong and capable, and there are days when I don’t. But through it all, I’ve learned to trust the process.

Resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up again and again. It’s about showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard. It’s about knowing that every challenge, every setback, every tear is part of the story—and that story is making you stronger.

Your Resilience Journey

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want that, but I don’t know where to start,” let me tell you: You already have everything you need to begin. Start small, start messy, but start.

Your resilience won’t look exactly like mine, and that’s okay. The beauty of this journey is that it’s yours to define. But if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: You are stronger than you think and capable of more than you know.

Keep going. You’ve got this.

If you’re ready to build emotional and physical resilience, join me on this journey. Self Session is here to help you navigate the messy, beautiful growth process, from tools and resources to stories and support. Let’s grow stronger together. 💪✨

Love,

Ele from SS