Topic Tuesday // Resilience as a response to discrimination // Tues, 17 May, 7pm AEST

[eth]

I agree that in some situations resilience is about getting knocked down and getting back up but I also think that sometimes even if we don't get back 'up', we reach out to our support network, use our toolbox of self monitoring and self management methods and we get 'along'.  Our journey continues and a large part of that involves the learning that can come through the times of going through these processes.

[RossQLife]

 can totally relate to what you guys are saying!

[RossQLife]

And yep @eth, sometimes all of those things can really help, but sometimes too they just keep us in that place so that we can try again next time. I can't speak enough of all of our QLife staff and volunteers who make themselves available to talk with people to help in this way. It's a great thing to be able to be there for people, and to share even a little bit in the ways they find to stand up.

[Kurra]

I'm fortunate enough to be ugly enough and old enough to not be particularly concerned about what people think.
I do know that if I'm going to turn the extremely ugly and negative experiences I've endured through MI into positives for myself and others I need to stand up for what I believe in and what I know is right.

I guess that's why a couple of people at work are squirming at the moment. What's more I will take this issue to the very top if needs be.

[Former-Member]

@RossQLife, not sure i understand the question ''Does everyone relate when I point out resilience can be things we;ve learned that hold us back? Shyness was a big one for me"

[MoonGal]

I'm out now, have a crisis with my Mum arising. Tawney - peace. We all expreience life and cope in different ways.

Thanks @RossQLife and evryone I will check back for rest of conversation when I can, hope it will stay up for a few days to follow up.

[RossQLife]

@Former-Member sorry if it's not coming across well. And I hate to use jargon, but what I'm talking about is 'maladjustment' - the idea that we learn to do things to avoid terrible situations that also then act as a wall against good stuff.

It's the 'once bitten, twice shy' idea, really. Sometimes really good work with people is about re-learning to do things, and how to approach situations without all of the bad memories, experiences and habits. I think this is a really productive form of resilience, if an ideal one. I full appreciate the work and resources it can take to get there.

[CherryBomb]

I love your point about not getting back up @eth. Sometimes, I think reslience can also mean letting ourselve be vulnerable in a safe way if that makes sense. What are your thoughts @RossQLife?

@MoonGal hope things are ok. This discussion well be available for as long as the Forums are alive. So you will be able to access it anytime. 

[RossQLife]

 @MoonGal, thanks so much for being here. I really enjoyed your posts!

[RossQLife]

@CherryBomb, I think you're totally right. Vulnerability is part of a vital process for both recovery and resilience, but it's often something that isn't safe for people. Vulnerability is a process that can happen when and if safety is established first. And vulnerability looks different for each of us.

Paradoxically, being strong enough to get to vulnerability can take a lot of work!