Building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing has been at the core of my journey, shaped by setbacks, challenges, and a fair share of unexpected twists. In 2014, I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which left me paralysed from the waist down. It changed my world overnight. At that point, I could have allowed my condition to define me. Instead, I chose to adapt, to rebuild, and to focus on building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing every single day.
Lessons That Have Guided Me
1. Resilience is something you create
Building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing isn’t something you’re born with; it’s built by showing up every day and refusing to give in. From learning how to navigate a wheelchair to climbing mountains using KAFOs (callipers), I’ve learnt that resilience comes down to a decision: keep going, even when it feels uncomfortable. You can read more about this in my blog Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: A Practical Guide to Resilience.
2. Mental health deserves as much focus as physical health
Looking after your mind is just as important as caring for your body. Anxiety and depression have been part of my reality, but I’ve discovered that protecting mental wellbeing is about maintenance, not perfection. Simple practices like meditation, breathing exercises, and even scheduling time for rest and recovery such as having a massage have been key for me. I share more practical advice in my article Mental Health Matters: Practical Strategies for Staying Balanced and Resilient Every Day.
3. The right people change everything
Resilience is not built in isolation. Building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing often relies on surrounding yourself with the right people. Having a supportive community around me has been vital. I’ve also learnt to be selective about where I invest my time and energy. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not those who weigh you down. You might enjoy my reflections on this theme in Inclusion in Action: How to Build a Truly Diverse and Supportive Community.
4. Self-awareness fuels growth
There was a time when I thought pushing myself to breaking point showed strength. Now I understand that true strength is recognising your limits and creating systems that support building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing. Self-awareness gives you the tools to stay balanced and perform at your best. My journey of self-awareness is explored further in Finding Love with Someone Who Has Children, where I share personal insights on growth and balance.
Resources That Have Helped Me
Over the years, I’ve made use of different tools and resources to better understand my mental health and wellbeing. Here are a few that may help you too:
- Mind – Advice, information, and support for anyone navigating mental health challenges.
- NHS Every Mind Matters – Practical tools for stress, sleep, and everyday wellbeing.
- Headspace – Meditation and mindfulness resources designed for busy lives.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Support and guidance for anyone in crisis.
- Hub of Hope – A UK-wide directory of mental health support services.
These resources have supported me in building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing, and they may become part of your journey too.
Final Word
If my story has taught me one thing, it’s that resilience is not about avoiding failure, it’s about building resilience and protecting mental wellbeing by learning to get back up, time and time again. Wellbeing isn’t a fixed destination, it’s a practice. And most importantly, none of us have to do it on our own.