Guest post by Fotini Tzouveleki
Life is not always sunshine and rainbows. Most of the times, things do not get your way. You might find out that your friends have been mean behind your back or that your boss is planning to fire you. However, there are ways to build resilience so strong, it can get you through the toughest of times. The only thing you need to do is to find a release. Something that you can transfer all your pain and turn it into something practical. This article serves as a guide, a how to manuscript in order to see light through the darkness, to see yourself despite your pain, to recognize your flaws and your advantages.
Initially, recognize your feelings. Avoidance will only push the hurt down further, leading it to emerge later in more harmful forms. Allow yourself to experience what you must — anger, sadness, betrayal — but do not permit these feelings to overpower you.
Next, determine your release. For me this has been creative writing. I can write for hours about anything that has ever hurt me. Anything that evokes emotions can bring my hand to the paper. This is my release, this is something that makes me control my sadness, before it turns into this beast that controls me and everything I do. This may involve any form of creativity or physical activity: writing your thoughts down, expressing emotions through painting, jogging until your legs ache, or simply shouting into a cushion. The important thing is to release the energy in a manner that does not hurt you or anyone else.
Third, engage in self-reflection. Try to imagine yourself not as what you are now, but what you will be in six years. Does it matter is six years? Are you married or working in six years? How would that mature version of yourself react to events? Then, when sad things happen try to think of the perspective of this idealized version that has already gotten over everything that now is pressuring you. Once you feel more composed, reflect on the situation with sincerity. Reflect on this: What have I gained from this experience? What trends do I observe? What are some alternative ways I could reply next time? This aids in turning painful experiences into important lessons, rather than allowing them to turn into lasting scars. Each lesson can be something you can someday teach your child, or remind yourself for the next thing, the next time you feel helpless when you say “This is way too hard, I’ll never be able to get through this one.” Then, you’ll remember everything you have already accomplished, all your beautiful lessons that made you the person you are today.
Fourth, develop your network of support. No one should face difficulties by themselves. Connect with friends who encourage you, mentors who support you, or professional counselors who offer strategies to manage. Being around those who care forms a safety net that can support you when you stumble.
Fifth, develop minor daily routines that enhance your mental resilience. Meditation, keeping a gratitude journal, establishing achievable goals, and being kind to yourself can gradually enhance your mental resilience. Keep in mind: resilience is not an innate trait; it is a skill that can be developed gradually.
Finally, acknowledge achievements. Even if you haven’t reached your desired destination, recognize the progress you’ve made. Every day you decide to rise again is a triumph. Life will inevitably present unforeseen challenges, but by letting go of your suffering, contemplating your experiences, and fortifying your mind, you will rediscover your path to brightness.
Fotini Tzouveleki was born in 2004 in Thessaloniki and studies Philosophy at Aristotle University. She turned to literature and poetry from a young age, seeking answers to existential and emotional questions. She has won four first-place awards in All Poetry competitions and is featured in multiple anthologies.
Her work appears in collections like The Language, My Strength, All Your Poems, and Words of the Sea. She has published texts on various Greek and international literary platforms and magazines.
These include The Gothic Gazette, Flash Fiction North, Fractal, Ultamarine Literary Review, and more. She has also written for numerous news and cultural websites across Greece.
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