Navigating the Balance: Individual and Collective Resiliency vs System Change

This week, I've been delving deep into the topic of resiliency. There's a significant tension at the heart of this conversation, a tug of war between focusing on our internal resiliency through self-improvement, healing and personal growth, trauma work and the imperative need to transform systemic issues like capitalism, racism and the patriarchy – and the structures that are grounded in them that feel like they weren't built for anyone's well-being.

While as a gender and social development specialist I’ve focused on policy and system change, in much of my trauma informed coaching work, I've emphasized building and supporting individual and group resiliency. I've held the belief that if I can help one person or small group at a time feel more empowered and resilient, help them to address trauma, internalized patriarchy, racism and other forms of discrimination, we can gradually come together to reshape these oppressive systems. It's a microcosm-macrocosm perspective; change starts with the individual, then ripples outward to the collective.

Yet, I can't help but acknowledge the valid criticisms of this approach. As a woman living in the United States, I've often questioned whether I'm cut out to thrive in the modern world, where the relentless pace and overwhelming demands can feel suffocating and traumatizing. Despite being armed with a treasure trove of coaching tools and peer support, access to medications and other support there are still days when I wrestle with life's challenges, doubting my own ability and feeling like I'm falling short.

As a gender and social development specialist in a male dominated field I’ve often felt minimized. As someone running my own coaching and consulting business, the stress of operating in capitalistic financial markets is real. I've encountered a plethora of advice on which systems to follow to grow my business, but none of them seem to align with my values or resonate with my soul. This struggle can be accompanied by a sense of shame – shame in not measuring up to societal expectations about success, money, motherhood and balancing the two.

Acknowledging my own journey, I've come to realize how deeply I've internalized aspects of patriarchy and the additional pressures and sense of unsafely I feel related to capitalism, gun violence, the cost of health care, and keeping up with life since moving to the United States from Australia. While I don’t minimize my own trauma, I also acknowledge my privilege as a white, heterosexual woman and recognize that for individuals experiencing additional forms of discrimination and marginalization – BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and others – an added layer of racism, discrimination, and exclusion compounds the complexity.

This broader conversation about building a better world and fostering resiliency reveals an inconvenient truth: we often overlook crucial aspects or fail to take meaningful action. In trauma coaching we do work with systematic oppression, intergenerational trauma and trauma of the modern world. I also fully believe that trauma-informed coaching approaches are an underutilized tool in our international development and social change work, I also know we can't stop there. We must address the very systems that perpetuate trauma.

However, for me personally the challenge lies in how to balance these two approaches or even whether it's my place to focus on both. It's a perplexing conundrum that many of us face as we grapple with our roles in societal transformation. Some days it leaves me feeling like I’m falling short in this important work.

And yet, part of me also knows it's not a matter of choosing between personal and collective healing and systems change; it's a question of integration. We need all of it. We need to address our internal struggles and the oppressive systems simultaneously. This dual approach acknowledges that change starts from within and extends outward, impacting the broader world.

My trauma coaching work has largely centered on individual and group healing, but I'm eager to engage in a dialogue about what more I could be doing to support systemic change through my coaching work and what more we can do in our international development work. It's a conversation that demands diversity and inclusion, where perspectives from all walks of life converge to explore innovative ways to break down oppressive structures while nurturing the resilience of individuals and communities.

I've been inspired by the work of the Inner Development Goals movement and the notion that the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is intrinsically linked to our own inner development. Their work is teaching us that we can't hope to achieve these global goals without first doing our own internal work. It's an exciting journey of self-discovery and collective transformation.

In particular, I'm eagerly anticipating the upcoming summit where I'll have the opportunity to glean wisdom and insights from thought leaders who are paving the way for this vital inner exploration.

I'm drawn to the work of Shawn Ginwright, PhD, especially his book "The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves," which offers a fresh perspective on creating a more just and resilient world and the role our own healing plays in this.

I’m also inspired by the work of Resmaa Menakem who says “resilience is built into the cells of our body. Like trauma, resilience can ripple outward, changing the lives of people, families and neighborhoods, and communities in positive ways. Also like trauma, resilience can be passed down from generation to generation.”

My reading list has also expanded to include works such as Farah Róisín "Who is Wellness For: An Examination of Wellness Culture and Who it Leaves Behind." These voices are opening up new horizons of understanding and challenging the status quo, and I'm hungry to learn more.

So, as I continue to explore the delicate balance between building individual resiliency and systems change, I'm committed to drawing wisdom from diverse sources. Together, we can embark on this journey of inner and outer transformation, working toward a world that empowers and uplifts every individual and community.

So, let's start this conversation. I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Together, we can navigate this delicate balance between building individual resiliency, fostering collective resiliency and creating systems change, all while striving for a world that truly empowers and supports every one of us.