When the Pillars of Resilience Begin to Crumble
Experts define resilience as an individual’s psychological strength to withstand challenges. Those who can tap into this internal reserve are generally better equipped to handle personal hardships and everyday crises.
However, when resilience is compromised, it is essential to rebuild this inner strength using the seven pillars of resilience. The best way to do this is through targeted mental training—akin to a repair program for the psyche.
A resilience coaching program functions as a psychological fitness regimen designed to reactivate and stabilize one’s energy reserves. Achieving new goals or overcoming crises is much like running a marathon—it requires endurance to push through difficult phases, frustration, and potential setbacks. Problems are rarely solved overnight. But with a solid foundation of resilience, one is less likely to panic or lose patience.
The seven pillars of resilience include:
1. Acceptance of the situation
2. Optimism
3. Letting go of the victim mentality (if applicable)
4. Taking responsibility for one’s life and actions
5. Maintaining a strong social and professional support network
6. Embracing a solution-oriented mindset instead of focusing on problems
7. Developing future plans
What if these pillars lack a solid foundation?
If the seven pillars of resilience begin to crumble or have been depleted, the foundation itself must first be strengthened. Recognizing this is crucial, as outlined in the existential analysis developed by Viktor Frankl and Alfried Längle. According to their approach, four fundamental prerequisites are necessary for a stable foundation:
1. Basic Trust – A person must have experienced trust to accept life’s circumstances. Basic trust serves as the groundwork for psychological stability.
2. Basic Relationships – The ability to form and sustain relationships is essential. Without this fundamental connection to life, neither personal nor professional relationships can remain stable—even optimism alone won’t help in a crisis.
3. Self-Worth – Every individual needs to feel valued. A lack of appreciation can hinder personality development, pushing a person into a victim mentality.
4. Meaningful Action – A fulfilled life requires experiencing purpose in one’s actions. When a person has found their direction, they can assess whether their actions are beneficial for themselves, their goals, and others.
The Role of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy works with these four core principles to build a strong foundation for resilience. Only once this foundation is stable can the seven pillars of resilience be properly reinforced, ensuring long-term psychological strength and well-being.
