As April unfolds around us, nature delivers its annual masterclass in resilience. Cherry blossoms emerge despite unexpected frosts, and persistent bulbs push through soil after months of dormancy. Yet in our society, we've come to think of resilience quite differently than nature demonstrates it.
The modern narrative often portrays resilience as merely "pushing through" or "toughing it out"—an endless capacity to withstand pressure without breaking. We celebrate those who never slow down, who juggle impossible schedules, who respond to texts at midnight. But is this truly resilience or something else entirely?
Rethinking What Resilience Really Means
Society has largely embraced a limited view of resilience—one that equates it with unending endurance and unwavering strength. Social media feeds showcase the "resilience inspiration" of people who never seem to falter, creating an impossible standard that leaves many of us feeling inadequate when we inevitably need rest or support.
Nature tells a different story. True resilience in the natural world isn't about constant output or relentless forward motion. It involves cycles of activity and rest, growth and consolidation. The most resilient ecosystems are those with built-in periods of recovery and renewal—exactly what our modern definition often lacks.
I see this struggle playing out daily in my own home as a mom of teenage twins. Between managing their demanding high school schedules, driving to endless extracurricular activities, maintaining our household, and trying to sustain my own career, I'm constantly being pulled in different directions. Society tells moms we need to excel at everything simultaneously – be the perfect parent, professional, partner, and still have time for self-care. When I recently hit a wall after months of non-stop activity, barely keeping all the plates spinning, it was a powerful reminder that true resilience requires periods of rest – something we moms rarely give ourselves permission to take.
Family Resilience: A New Framework
This spring offers the perfect opportunity to reconsider what resilience means within our families. Rather than simply pushing through challenging periods, what if we embraced a more balanced approach—one that honors both strength and restoration?
Our To be RESILIENT formula was designed with this natural rhythm in mind. Combining flower essences like Vervain for balanced enthusiasm and Olive for energy renewal with adaptogens like Rhodiola, it supports a quality of resilience that includes both strength during challenges and restoration afterward.
As a mom juggling the demands of teenage twins, work, and household management, I've found that embracing this balanced approach to resilience isn't just beneficial – it's essential for survival. For years, I prided myself on "doing it all" without complaint, but I've realized that modeling endless self-sacrifice isn't the lesson I want to share. When my twins see me setting boundaries, asking for help, or taking an occasional mental health day when needed, they learn that sustainable resilience isn't about endless pushing – it's about knowing when to pause and replenish.
A New Approach to Resilience
As we collectively work to reject the "always on" cultural expectation that dominates modern life, we developed RESILIENT as a formula to support people through all kinds of transitional seasons—both literal ones and those metaphorical seasons we all navigate:
- When we are expected to maintain impossible schedules
- During periods when the pressure to "do it all" feels overwhelming
- When we feel conflicting demands between work, school, and home
- When facing challenges that require emotional stamina without burnout
Being a busy mom of has taught me just how critical this balanced approach to resilience is, especially for those of us carrying the invisible mental load of family management.
Spring Practices for Authentic Resilience
While RESILIENT provides internal support, pairing it with intentional practices helps reshape our understanding of what true resilience means. Here are some spring-inspired ways to cultivate authentic resilience together:
- Embrace the rhythm of growth and rest. Just as nature doesn't bloom year-round, help your family recognize that periods of high energy naturally alternate with time for recovery. In our home, we've started implementing "low-key Sundays" where everyone gets to recharge in their own way.
- Create a family resilience chat time. Each evening, take turns sharing not just challenges overcome but also moments when you honored your limits and practiced self-care. My twins initially rolled their eyes at this suggestion, but now they voluntarily share these reflections at dinner. We ask easily what was your “rose” and what was your “thorn” of the day.
- Take "wisdom walks" in nature. Spring offers abundant examples of balanced resilience. Observe how plants grow in spurts, then consolidate their energy before the next phase of development. These walks have become valuable one-on-one time out in the healing air of nature.
- Challenge resilience stereotypes. When you see movies or media that portray resilience as endless endurance, discuss with your family what healthier versions might look like. These conversations have sparked some of our most insightful family discussions.
Redefining Resilience, Together
As the natural world demonstrates each April, true resilience isn't just about enduring challenges without rest—it's about knowing when to push forward and when to restore. It's about transforming difficulties into opportunities for growth while honoring our need for recovery.
Our RESILIENT formula was created to support this more balanced capacity, especially during seasons when the pressure to maintain endless productivity feels most intense.
So, here's to growing not just through constant striving but through the wisdom of knowing when to advance and when to restore—just as nature intended. And here's to all the overburdened moms who deserve permission to rest and recover without guilt. By reclaiming a balanced approach to resilience, we're not just saving ourselves – we're teaching our children an invaluable lesson about sustainable strength before they inherit society's unbalanced expectations.
With balanced resilience,
By Julie Hawkes, Product Educator at Barlean's
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
