"La manera en que haces que las personas sean resilientes es exponerlas voluntariamente a cosas que les dan miedo y que las hacen sentir incómodas."

Making people resilient involves a process where they actively face their fears and discomforts. This isn't about throwing someone into the deep end without support—it's about gradual, voluntary exposure to the things that unsettle them. Think about it like building a muscle; the more you work it out, the stronger it gets. Similarly, resilience is like a mental muscle that gets stronger when you face challenges head-on.

There's a historical underpinning to this idea that takes us back to the early 20th century. The famous psychologist Carl Jung often spoke about the concept of the "shadow"—those parts of ourselves we fear and reject. Jung believed that confronting these shadows was essential for personal growth. He wasn’t the only one; many therapeutic practices, including modern cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), use the principle of exposure to help people manage anxiety and phobias.

Take the story of a young woman named Sarah, who had a crippling fear of public speaking. Every time she even thought about speaking in front of a crowd, she’d break out in a cold sweat. Rather than avoiding public speaking altogether, which only made her fear more intense, Sarah decided to take a different route. With the help of a therapist, she started small—speaking in front of a mirror, then to a friend, then in small groups. It wasn't easy at first. Her heart would race, and her palms would sweat, but bit by bit, she got used to the discomfort. Eventually, Sarah was able to give a full presentation at work without feeling overwhelmed. This step-by-step exposure not only helped her tackle her fear but also built her resilience.

If you’re wondering how you can apply this to your own life, start by identifying something that scares you or makes you uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. Maybe it’s initiating a conversation with a stranger or trying out a new activity. The key is to start small and gradually increase the level of exposure. Don't rush it. Give yourself time to adapt at each stage. If you keep at it, what once seemed terrifying will start to feel manageable, maybe even easy.

Imagine you're afraid of heights. You might start by standing on a chair, then a ladder, then eventually work your way up to that rock-climbing wall at the gym. Each step builds on the last, and before you know it, you’re looking down from a decent height without that familiar knot in your stomach.

Here’s a personal story to drive it home: I used to be terrified of driving on highways. The speed, the merging lanes—everything about it freaked me out. I started with short, empty roads and gradually moved to busier ones. I’d practice during off-peak hours, sometimes with a friend in the passenger seat for moral support. Over time, my fear subsided. Now, I can drive on highways like it’s no big deal.

So, give it a shot. Identify a fear or discomfort, start small, and face it voluntarily. You’ll be amazed at how much more resilient you’ll become. It’s not about eliminating fear but learning to move forward despite it. And who knows? You might even start to enjoy the challenge.