Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. Like a muscle, it strengthens over time through hardship, adaptation, and persistence. I know this because I’ve had to build it again and again.
I’ve faced trauma in many forms. From my time in Afghanistan to the devastating diagnosis of severe Crohn’s disease, losing my health, my career, and nearly my life. I endured 19 months of a severe reaction to my medication before being diagnosed—months spent losing the ability to walk, suffering from tremors, extreme pain, suicidal thoughts, and mood swings that made me feel like a stranger to myself. I fought through a healthcare system that continuously failed me, a political system that refused to help, and a VA disability process that remains broken to this day. Each morning, I wake up unsure of what challenges my disability will bring, assessing what I can manage that day and adjusting accordingly. It’s a constant recalibration, an exhausting but necessary part of survival.
I know I’m not alone in this. Anxiety is pervasive right now—especially in the workforce. Federal employees feel uncertain about their futures, and that anxiety ripples outward, affecting the businesses that also rely on federal business such as contractors, small businesses, and entire communities. Uncertainty breeds fear, but resilience is built in these moments, not in the absence of hardship.
I can’t teach resilience, but I can share what I’ve learned:
1. Take a Breath and Step BackYou may be facing job loss, career changes, or personal hardship. It’s easy to react impulsively, but stepping back allows you to make thoughtful decisions that will serve you long-term. If I could go back to the moment I was diagnosed, I’d tell myself to breathe, assess, and plan for the next decade—not just the next crisis.
2. Embrace FlexibilityLife will change, priorities will shift, and the unknown will test you. Resilience is the ability to pivot, to acknowledge your new reality, and to find ways to keep moving forward. That might mean finding a new career field, reaching out to your network, or reconsidering what success looks like.
3. Build and Lean on Your Support SystemNo one gets through trauma alone. Hug your family, reach out to friends, and surround yourself with people who uplift you. Employers, this is your moment to support your workforce. A strong support system doesn’t just help people survive—it helps them thrive.
4. Give Yourself Permission to FeelCrying is not weakness. Pain and grief are part of transformation. Suppressing emotions doesn’t make you stronger—it makes the burden heavier. Let yourself process, mourn, and release what you’ve lost.
5. Foster Resilience in OthersLeaders, businesses, and communities—your actions now will determine how people emerge from this time. Create workplaces that prioritize support, adaptability, and emotional well-being. When employees feel valued and understood, they don’t just endure hardship—they rise above it.
I never expected to become the person I am today. But through pain, loss, and uncertainty, I have found strength I didn’t know I had. And so will you. Together, through support, flexibility, and collective resilience, we will emerge stronger—not just as individuals, but as teams, businesses, and a nation.
Komentari