The reason why I read Resilient by Dr. Rick Hansen was because the concept of resilience is one that is highly relevant at this point of my life. Lately, it has been a bit overwhelming to juggle school, interviews, social life, and boxing/gym. I have been feeling more tired and unmotivated as of recent, and the topic of building a strong mental core spoke to me deeply. In addition, I've believed that mental strength is key to living a happier life, and this is one of the topics Dr Hansen discusses. Often, the reality of our situations isn't as overwhelming as our perception of them.
The book has been filled with lots of great takeaways for me to apply to my daily life. Every chapter leaves me feeling more in control of my life, and confident tackling my daily responsibilities. The point that struck me the most was how needless anxiety can build up an immense amount of stress and fatigue. A constant state of anxiety can also cause people to miss emotional distances creeping up in relationships and overreact to "exaggerated" threats. Constant, needless anxiety ultimately leaves a person less resilient.
I enjoyed the book because of how easily digestible the topics were. There are 12 chapters in total that each focus on a different aspect of resilience. Every idea/section is relatively concise, and chapters are ended with key points to help the reader reflect on the topics. The exercises that Dr. Hansen provides are incredibly helpful as well, with many of the exercises focused around taking a moment to be present and consider a new perspective. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is feeling looking to improve their mental strength and build an unshakeable core. It's helped me manage my anxiety, build my mental strength, and approach challenges with confidence.