Sense of Humor: finds humor in life – able to laugh at self

Self-Aware: mindful of emotions and motivations – knows self but continues to seek to understand self even better – teachable

Humble: realistic about both talents and faults - recognizes strengths and weaknesses - modest - unpretentious - receptive - listens and considers

Balanced: dynamic - wise - lives judiciously - is flexible and adaptable - chooses when it is appropriate to associate or dissociate

Autonomous: has and enforces safe boundaries between self and others – emotionally distances self from destructive people, environments and life situations - self-reliant - unique

Relationally Healthy: values people – empathic - seeks to know and understand others - chooses healthy people to be with - relationships characterized by a balance of give and take - cooperative - comfortable with people/comfortable alone

Creative: self-expresses through art forms (music, writing, painting, dance, etc.) - values own inner world - has an aesthetic sense - comes at things from varying perspectives - tries new things

Self-Motivated: masters problems - takes the initiative and takes responsibility for actions - courageous - persistent

Moral: lives by personal values (Kohlberg’s 6^th stage) and a well-trained conscience - congruent - has integrity - self-controlled

Content: alive in the moment - able to learn from or make the most of the difficult and enjoy the good - grateful - generous - nonanxious - holds reasonable expectations

Traits that lessen resilience        Home          Back to Building resilience page