Divorce, debt, redundancy, loss of loved ones. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t struggle in the face of such ordeals. But what would it be like if we could learn the skills of not only surviving such challenges, but learning and growing because of them?

At Psychologies, we believe that real strength is not about powering through a crisis with a stiff upper lip. It’s about using life’s challenges to reset your course, for you to be able to admit vulnerability, tell the truth about how you feel and then find a way to move forward again.

Yes, when you are first faced with huge changes it is a massive shock to the system, and you can feel lost, scared, sad and confused. But real strength is about feeling all of these emotions and then finding a way to centre yourself again and respond from a place of hope and optimism versus fear. It’s not about inane optimism either. You are allowed to prepare for the worst as well as hope for the best. Real strength is about finding a sense of meaning in the adversity. It can be an opportunity to look at how you are spending your time and your energy and committing to a life that is built on your values.

At Psychologies, we believe that each and every one of us has an innate wisdom to help choose the right path. Right now, you may not know what that path may be, but by picking up this book you have taken the first step to finding a way through the challenges you may be currently facing and building the resilience you need to create the life you want.

And we are right by your side.

Good luck!

Suzy Greaves, Editor, Psychologies