Resilience: Channeling Your Inner Weeble Wobble
Do you remember those Weeble Wobbles toys? They were these egg-shaped toys that would wobble all over but eventually settle down to return to their still, upright position no matter how hard they wobbled.
A colleague recently reminded me of these classics, using them as a metaphor for resilience. That’s what I think when I think of building resilience. Channeling my inner Weeble Wobbler.
If you are considering the digital nomad lifestyle, you are likely craving a change from the status quo. You might find yourself in one of two camps. Those that are craving more stillness and grounding, and those that are wanting to shake it up and maybe create some more wobble and adventure.
Take a moment to check in, how wobbly have you been feeling lately? What are you craving?
When we become more skilled and comfortable with ways to slow our wobble and “come back to calm center” we can feel more comfortable stepping out of our comfort zone and playing more boldly. This requires practicing and building up resilience.
Here are 3 of my favorite ways to build resilience:
1. Look to the horizon for the waves
I love to use ocean waves as a metaphor with clients. Imagine you are standing in the water, about waist deep. If you turn your back to the horizon, you are likely to be knocked down & pummeled by an approaching wave. But if you face the horizon, expecting a wave to come, you can decide to dive under or swim over as it passes, meaning less of a smack down. Or even better grab your board and surf that sucker!
As much as you can, be aware of and prepared for what’s on the horizon of your life, so you can make decisions as they come and not be caught off guard.
2. Practice Failing
When I first learned to snowboard I took a lesson. The first thing they taught me was how to fall. Turns out, broken wrists are the most common injury. So we spent the first hour just falling, over and over, until we felt so comfortable falling we could start learning to ride with less fear, and less risk! Try new things, and don’t be afraid if they fail. It’s just an important part of the learning process.
3. Build Your Recovery Toolbox
Think about some past “wobbles”. Maybe some that even had you bonk your head hard on the table. How did you eventually recover back to stable center? What’s worked for you in the past?
There are infinite ways to recover from a big wobble. Here is a short but powerful list of some of my personal favorites. You can read more here and here.
Lean into your support network. Strong, positive relationships can play a huge part in remembering what you are capable of and finding your center of power.
Change the Narrative. You got knocked over! You survived! You may even have some cool scars and war stories to share down the road. What would the story sound like if you retold it where you are the daring adventurer of the story and this wobble only made you stronger? Be the hero of your story, not the damsel in distress.
Embrace the Learning. What do you know now that you didn’t before? How might that serve you going forward? Shifting to a learning mindset can turn any failure into a learning opportunity.
Be Gentle with Yourself. “Stop being so mean to my friend” a dear friend said to me as I shared with her how ashamed I was about a recent wobble. Pay attention to the stories you tell yourself about your wobble. Be gentle and kind to yourself.
So while you channel your Weeble Wobble, pivoting between movement and grounding, be sure to practice these techniques to build a resilient self, one that can stand strong in both forms of ebb and flow.
Which of these resilience builders speaks most to you?
Check out my post on the 6 Key Leaderships Skills Needed for Digital Nomad Living to see where you can leverage your strengths and build more leadership muscle!