Dealing with cancer is difficult, to say the least. We all know that. What not everyone realizes, however, is that working through a diagnosis and treatment, or going back to work after taking time off for treatment, adds yet another layer (or two) of challenge to the whole cancer experience. 

Aside from various physical symptoms that may come with treatment, many patients and survivors report feelings of lower self-confidence and self-esteem. And while such feelings are not at all uncommon, it helps to know how to handle these kinds of emotions — and how to let your resilient spirit shine through.

A recent article on the Muse website highlights five ways that resilient people handle difficult situations. Here are three we found particularly useful:

1. Resilient people assess their situation. Do an honest evaluation of the situation and ask yourself why you are feeling the way you are. Try to process these emotions, rather than just let them sit; otherwise, they may grow into greater feelings of frustration or anger. Our article on “Your Mindset” outlines ways to be truly honest with yourself and readjust your perspective after a cancer diagnosis.

2. Resilient people have remarkably healthy boundaries. Keeping in mind that you don’t have to be a “yes” person is key to controlling your environment. The most resilient people recover from bad situations by saying “no” to anyone who interferes with their goals, schedules, and — maybe most important — their values and beliefs. For guidance on how to say “no” effectively, read our article on “Setting Professional Boundaries.”

3. Resilient people don’t let guilt control them. People who are resilient don’t allow feelings of guilt to seep in involving situations that have nothing to do with them. We can only be responsible for ourselves and not the actions of others, so we mustn’t let scenarios that we cannot control impose stress. Our article on “Relieving Stress” provides practical suggestions for managing such feelings. 

For the full Muse article, click here.