Resilience is often misunderstood. It’s not about muscling through exhaustion like a badge of honor—that’s the opposite of resilience. When we drag ourselves into class or work feeling utterly drained, we don’t have the cognitive fuel to think clearly, learn deeply, or even regulate our emotions.
Here’s the truth: The harder you push, the more intentional you have to be about recovery. Stopping isn’t the same as recharging. Simply stepping away from your workload—say, for spring break—doesn’t guarantee your brain will return refreshed and ready. If you spend your time off scrolling endlessly, stressing about what’s next, or numbing out instead of truly resting, you’re not actually recovering. Your mind, like your body, needs real restoration.
So give yourself that.
Internal recovery happens in the small, quiet moments of your day—pausing, shifting your focus, stepping outside for air. External recovery is the deeper reset that happens outside your regular demands, like a week off from classes. But for it to work, you have to actually let yourself rest.
This week, instead of just stopping, recover:
- Explore somewhere new.
- Get outside.
- Move your body in ways that feel good.
- Revisit things you used to love, just for fun.
- Unplug. Seriously.
- Sleep—really, truly sleep.
- Eat something delicious and nourishing.
- Be around people who make you feel safe and whole.
- Experience awe—something bigger than you, something beautiful.
Only you know what truly fills your cup. Pay attention to that. Give yourself what you need, and you’ll return stronger, steadier, and ready for whatever comes next.