Facing and overcoming adversity builds character, but too much of it, at the wrong time and in the wrong place, can instead break your spirit and beyond.
There are times when we can take on more than we realize, when challenges push us to give more of ourselves and foster abilities we otherwise wouldn’t, times when all it takes is stepping out of a comfort zone and adopting a can-do attitude. And that is indeed important, essential even, if we’re ever to grow past the minimum.
However, it also holds true that having space - yes, a safe space - free of the risks and dangers that could harm us is part of what can keep us going. When you’re too young, when you’re too weak, when you’re wounded or ill, or simply tired… These are not the moments in which you should be enduring and attempting to overcome all that goes against you. These are moments to have patience with yourself and tend to your lacks. So that then you can go out there and stand a chance.
Harm can come at large, all at once, or as bits, little by little, and still ultimately deter you. The former is the most noticeable and, consequently, tends to be the most validated. However, you shouldn’t overlook the latter, which does and accumulates damage over time. And next thing you know, you’re far from who you used to be and who you could have become.
So if something bothers you, if it stings, or it just doesn’t seem right, it is not an overreaction to ask yourself if that’s something that you’d be okay having more of or if you’d be better off without it. Perhaps it is nothing to worry about and it comes with the day-to-day, as part of the package, and can be remedied or countered with ease - and this would be a solution. But if it is no more than chipping at you for no good reason, and you can’t even make enough out of it to compensate, and it is possible to be without it, then why would you allow it to continue? You could look for ways to create an environment that is without needless harm. ‘Needless’ being a key word here.
Many might find it an inconvenience and possibly accuse you of being too sensitive or problematic, but that’s because they’re thinking more about themselves (or how they’ve been conditioned) than they are about you, specifically, and what it takes for you to be well and reach your greatest form.
If you’re honest with yourself, you can have grit and the sort of toughness that’ll take you through harsh conditions, if that’s something you’re meant for, but also keep watch of what is making you less rather than more.
