S1 EP 3 – Echoes of Resilience

In Episode 3, Lourdes discusses the ups and downs of resilience when facing unexpected challenges. 

She shares her personal story of suddenly losing her job in December 2022, a moment that brought a mix of shock and sadness, but also a sense of new beginnings. Lourdes faced the challenge of re-entering a job market that often overlooks older professionals.

Join Lourdes next week as she explores the topic of unresolved feelings.  

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Transcript

[00:00:19] Welcome back to Growing Older Together, Season One. Echoes of the Past, Visions of Tomorrow. I'm Lourdes. In today's episode, Echoes of Resilience, we explore how life's surprises can make us stronger. What is resilience as we get older? It means getting up after a fall and stepping forward. In December 2022.

[00:00:47] Something unexpected happened. I lost my job because the company shut down. At first, the impact did not fully hit me, but soon after, [00:01:00] feelings of sadness and uncertainty crept in. Even though a part of me saw it as a chance to start something new, like running my own business.

[00:01:11] But fear and doubt came in, especially when job interviews were nowhere to be found. The advice to hide my age, 61, on my resume, to avoid being judged as too old or overqualified, it only added to my stress and frustration. I had to pause my powerlifting routine. which had been easing my knee pain and making me feel physically strong. Yet I found ways to lift my spirits, helping my mom and doing my best to stay positive. This time, it has taught me to accept and love myself, especially my body.

[00:01:51] I stopped worrying about other people's opinions and focused on my own. This self acceptance did not happen overnight. It was [00:02:00] a journey of resilience. I started looking for part time work, explored becoming self employed, and continued writing and podcasting.

[00:02:10] This period taught me resilience means facing our fears and pushing forward, standing up again after every bump in the way. Every challenge became an opportunity to practice resilience. Whether dealing with job loss, managing self doubt, or accepting myself. Each step, no matter how small, was part of moving forward. This approach made my experiences more easy to understand.

[00:02:42] Resilience isn't just about bouncing back, it's about growing and finding strength during tough times. It means accepting change, seeing ourselves in a positive light, and never giving up despite the [00:03:00] obstacles. Everyone finds their way to move on from hurt and grow stronger. At first, feeling lost or scared is natural. It's part of the process. Knowing our feelings helps us see where we need to care for ourselves more. Asking those tough questions within us, support from friends, family, or even a therapist does not remove the pain. It helps us manage it, 

[00:03:32] making it easier to deal with and reminding us peace is within reach. Healing is gradually shifting from hurt to peace, from chaos to calm, with every step moving us forward. Feeling good and healthy again. 

[00:03:53] How do we build resilience? First, view change as a part of [00:04:00] life. A chance to learn and grow. Stay positive about what is coming. Celebrate the little wins. Like taking a break and doing something you enjoy. Enjoy your favorite treat. or share your success no matter how small it may seem. Be grateful, even for the small things, and care for yourself.

[00:04:26] Proper food, sleep, and activities that make us feel good are necessary.

[00:04:32] And it's alright to look for help. Sharing with friends or family can strengthen you. Now take a moment and reflect on the tough times you have gone through. I would like to hear about those times when you found strength you did not know you had. Was there a challenge that showed you this strength? 

[00:04:55] You can find my contact information in the show notes.[00:05:00] 

[00:05:00] Next week, I am discussing unresolved feelings and how we manage them. Everyone goes through it, but how we handle it makes a difference in how we feel. Here's a quote by Nelson Mandela. Do not judge me by my success. Judge me by how many times I fell and got back up again.

[00:05:26] This quote reminds us that resilience is not about never facing setbacks. It is about how we stand up after them. Before I say goodbye, consider this. What small step can you take this week to build your resilience?

[00:05:45] Every little action matters. Okay, that's it for today. Until next week, let's grow older and wiser together. [00:06:00]