Hi, Dr. Ruvvy here! 👋🏽

Earlier this week, a co-worker shared the quote above with me. It made me think about a personal experience I had while traveling by myself 7 years ago.

I went to Portugal during a year of turmoil and change. I had recently ended a long-term relationship, and I was mourning the loss of plans for the future—including a trip my ex and I were envisioning.

I shifted my mindset from mourning what I had lost to planning what I would build. I decided to go on my own version of the trip, by myself.

While in Portugal, I visited Sintra—a town that looks like it is out of a fairytale story. Here, castles and cathedrals dot the mountains, overlooking the ocean at the edge of the European continent.

I started climbing up to an old fortress and castle. It was a long, sweaty journey, but I made it to the top!

I was so excited to see the view of my next destination in the distance—a beautiful, colorful palace that is commonly seen on the covers of travel books for Portugal. I thought it would be an easy road—just a bit further up the mountain.

Much to my surprise, the path took me downhill into a valley. I realized I would have to walk all the way to the top again!

Being in that valley gave me the time and space to reset. While it felt like I had been detoured from my destination, the valley actually offered me space for preparation to get to my goal.

The hills and valleys were both worth the climb, and they made my experience feel even more rewarding.

While this is a lighthearted example of an experience I was so fortunate to have, I think this quote and this mindset can also help us in getting through harder times when we may need to draw on our resilience toolkit.

Knowing that now it’s like this, and it won’t be forever can help us recognize the ever-changing nature of our lives and of our experiences, both positive and negative.

As you continue to travel through the mountains and valleys of your life, we are here to support. Check out our Guided Exercises on YouTube, and continue to follow along with us here and on social media for the latest neuroscience of resilience.

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