Written by Cari Borden

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Everywhere you look, people are carrying storms you can’t see.

Some are searching for a stable gig, trying to stay grounded while uncertainty moves through their lives like weather.

Some are sitting inside the chaos, facing unrealistic expectations, shifting priorities, and the emotional whiplash that comes with modern work.

And some say “I’m fine,” because they’ve mastered the art of carrying pressure in silence.

Different seasons.
Different experiences.
Same thread:

Every one of us has, have, or had a workplace survival story.

A moment when we had to stay strong while everything around us felt shaky.
A time when resiliency wasn’t inspirational it was necessary.

But there’s a truth we don’t talk about enough:

Resiliency isn’t the victory. Trust is.
Because without trust, resiliency becomes a survival emotion not a growth strategy.

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When Resiliency Becomes Survival Mode

There are two types of resiliency:

1. Healthy Resiliency

This is the kind that helps us adapt, grow, and recover. It thrives when trust is present.
It feels like:

• Having room to fail and rise
• Being supported, not scrutinized
• Feeling psychologically safe
• Knowing your leaders and coworkers have your back
• Feeling allowed to be human

This resiliency strengthens people.

2. Survival Resiliency

This is what happens when trust is missing.
It shows up as:

• Bracing instead of breathing
• Enduring instead of improving
• Hiding burnout
• Performing calm while living in chaos
• Carrying more than any one person should

This resiliency protects people but at a cost.

It is not growth.
It is not empowerment.
It is not sustainable.

It is emotional triage.

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Chaos Doesn’t Break People — Lack of Trust Does

Employees can handle change.
They can survive deadlines, restructures, growing pains, and setbacks.

But they cannot succeed in an environment where:

• communication is unclear
• leadership is inconsistent
• decisions feel unpredictable
• psychological safety doesn’t exist
• accountability is weaponized
• support is conditional

Resiliency is not meant to replace trust.
Trust is the infrastructure that supports resiliency.

Without trust, the workplace becomes a storm shelter a place people survive rather than thrive.

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Your Survival Story Is Evidence of Your Strength, Not the System’s Success

If you’re looking for new stability right now, it’s not because you’re failing.
It’s because you’re seeking an environment where trust is real.

If you’re sitting in a workplace storm, it’s not because you’re not resilient enough.
It’s because no one should have to be resilient alone.

If your life feels calm today, it’s because somewhere along the way, trust existed from a leader, a mentor, a work bestie, or even within yourself.

Resiliency is beautiful.
But resiliency with trust becomes transformation.
Resiliency without trust becomes survival.

And every human knows the difference.

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**The Real Question Isn’t “Are You Resilient?”

It’s “Do You Have the Trust You Need to Thrive?”**

You should not have to earn your right to be human at work.

You should not have to white-knuckle your way through uncertainty.
You should not have to prove your value through endurance.

Because:

Resilience was never meant to be your shield.
It was meant to be your strength.

So if this season feels heavy, chaotic, or uncertain, let this be your reminder:

You are not failing. You are surviving in a system that was supposed to support you.

And maybe your next chapter isn’t about building more resilience.
Maybe it’s about demanding more trust.