Are You "Broken" or Antifragile
I can't count the number of times someone has confided in me, expressing the feeling of being "broken." When people endure significant challenges in life—trauma, pain, mental and emotional struggles, or feeling trapped in worn-out patterns—they often feel like they are beyond repair.
While the feeling is real, the notion of being broken is a complete lie. Brokenness isn't a thing, especially not for humans. We are not only programmed to survive but also designed for repair and GROWTH.
Resilience is a buzzword these days, highlighting the ability to withstand and recover quickly from difficult conditions. However, a remarkable truth is that humans are not only resilient by nature; we are made to be antifragile.
The first time I encountered the concept of antifragility, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Yet, as I engage with others, I find that few are familiar with this phenomenon.
Antifragile things not only withstand and recover from adversity; they actually become STRONGER in response to it.
In nature, one of my favorite examples is trees. Trees that endure droughts or strong winds develop deeper root systems and stronger trunks.
Remarkably, EVERYTHING about humans is antifragile.
Our immune systems grow stronger when exposed to various bacteria; shielding a child in a sterile environment can actually weaken their immunity.
Human babies learning to walk fall over and over. But it's the repeated effort of standing back up that strengthens their legs to eventually walk.
Muscles grow and bones become denser through repetitive stress and breakdown. Weight trainers push their muscles to their limits, aiming to lift heavier weights over time.
Similarly, endurance athletes understand that long periods of daily aerobic activity prompt cells to produce more mitochondria (the cell's energy producers). As a result, you can run, bike, or swim longer and faster over time.
Even more powerful than physical antifragility are the numerous examples of humans' mental and emotional antifragility.
Our brain's capacity expands with more complex information, and our emotional "window of tolerance" widens as we expose it to stressors.
Stress and even trauma was never meant to break humans. It has the potential to make us stronger, more capable, and expansive
So, if you ever wondered if what you've been through was too much and means you might be "broken," consider that in every way YOU ARE ANTIFRAGILE.
Because you are antifragile, everything you have experienced has the power to increase and improve your capacity and abilities, not limit you.
