Building Blocks for Lifelong Resilience
The BB4L [Building Blocks For Life] is a simple guide outlining 6 ways to own our power and get stronger. This guide was designed to help those who have experienced high levels of toxic stress (aka chronic stress) and trauma. With the BB4L we are better equipped to process painful life experiences and utilize takeaways to prevent further stress.
The BB4L is simple to understand, and — over time, when implemented — will show positive outcomes.
What Could You Use More of In Your Life?
Our content creators and podcast guests talk about how they create the Building Blocks in their own lives. This is a lifelong journey that helps us feel stronger and find more joy in life. You deserve to build the life you want, and our Building Blocks are a great way to start that journey.
Protection
Safety and protection is a basic need and helps us to prevent stress and promote recovery.
Relationships
A good relationship can help us weather almost anything. But what’s a good relationship?
Coping Skills
What are things to feel good now that won’t make you feel bad later on? Coping skills are unique to you.
Confidence
You can do it. It just takes practice. Confidence builds, like a muscle.
Belonging
Storytelling
Building Block #1
Protection
We need safety and protection mentally, emotionally, and physically. Everyone has a right to it.
Here are just some of the videos on protection from our YouTube channel.
Protection: A Defense or Shield Against Trauma and Toxic Stress | Bounce Back Generation
PROTECTION: Making Space to Experience Joy Daily is a Form of Self Protection
PROTECTION: Art Project for Protection. A Protection Shield
PROTECTION: Welcome Home Your Loyal Soldier - Unlearning Childhood Survival Strategies
PROTECTION: Why You Need Protection
PROTECTION: We need to Feel Safe and Protected to Heal.
PROTECTION: Dr. Kennedy talks about Protecting Yourself Emotionally
Create times and spaces where you can be warm, safe, and provide yourself with care and attention without being bothered.
If you need immediate help, reach out to emergency services in your area, call 988 or click here for more resources.
Building Block #2
Relationships
We need relationships that support us, and accept us for who we are. We explore how to make relationships more supportive and caring.
Here are just some of the videos on relationships from our YouTube channel.
RELATIONSHIPS: Celebrating Pride - We Found Each Other!
RELATIONSHIPS: Jeanel Checks in with her Relationships
RELATIONSHIPS: What makes a relationship "supportive"?
RELATIONSHIP: Relationships Explainer.
RELATIONSHIP: What Does a Good Relationships Feel Like?
RELATIONSHIPS: What is a healthy relationship?
RELATIONSHIPS: To Confront or Not Confront When You've Been Hurt
RELATIONSHIPS: When They Don't Apologize
Consider who is close to you and how they make you feel. It’s important to have conversations about what you can give and expect from each other to make your relationships stronger.
Building Block #3
Coping Skills
Coping skills are as individual as a fingerprint. It’s up to us to find our safe and happy place. Basketball, yoga, a quiet walk, or talking with a trusted friend are some ways to cope. Our take: Ask yourself, will this make me feel good now and better tomorrow?
Here are just some of the videos on coping skills from our YouTube channel.
COPING SKILLS: Gene's Meditation Practice.
COPING SKILLS: Being Bullied? Nas has Some Tips.
COPING SKILLS: We're Not Perfect, Except in THIS Moment.
COPING SKILLS: Harnessing Your Anger. Make Something Beautiful.
COPING SKILLS: How to Survive the Holidays!
COPING SKILLS: School work got you stress? Nasser says you gotta get help.
COPING SKILLS: I'm Autistic. Stop Shaming Me for Stimming!
COPING SKILLS: Express Yourself.
What works for others may not work for you. Get creative with yoga, breathing exercises and calming techniques. Ask yourself “What will make me feel good now, and better tomorrow?”
Building Block #4
Confidence
Confidence is something we teach ourselves by playing, pretending, practicing, and allowing ourselves the space to fail until we figure it out.
Here are just some of the videos on confidence from our YouTube channel.
CONFIDENCE: Alex & Gabriel on What Builds Their Confidence
CONFIDENCE: Trauma and Stress Can Sap Confidence
CONFIDENCE: Nasser Explains How He Does It
CONFIDENCE: 3 Ways to Build Resilience
CONFIDENCE: Where Does it Come From?
CONFIDENCE: Bring Your Hidden Strength Forward
CONFIDENCE: Tired of making bad decisions? Be the leader for change.
It takes time and practice to build confidence. Try using words of affirmation and visualization to help build your confidence and know that it’s okay to fail because each failure is full with information about how to try again and eventually succeed.
Building Block #5
Belonging
Belonging is a basic human need. Being excluded is wrong — sometimes it’s up to us to create the space we want to belong and create it for others.
Here are just some of the videos on belonging from our YouTube channel.
BELONGING: Cooking for the Community During the Pandemic
BELONGING: María Elisa Finds Her Queer Community
BELONGING: We are Hard Wired for Connection
BELONGING: My Rock Bottom and How I pulled Up From It
BELONGING: Sometimes the Best Thing You Can Do Is Leave
BELONGING: Start Cultivating Your Community
BELONGING: Paloma teaches Kelsey about autism and stimming.
Find common interest and build from there. Your community may be, your family, neighborhood, online, or half a world away. If you can’t find a space consider creating one where others can join.
Building Block #6
Storytelling
Storytelling is about owning your own story. Don’t let others tell your story for you. You are the author of your own heroic journey.
Here are just some of the videos on storytelling from our YouTube channel.
STORYTELLING: How We're Coping through COVID Potrero Terraces & Annex SF
STORYTELLING: Angelica's Story: COVID Hits Close to Home
STORYTELLING: Gene's Story about Getting Through the Pain of Divorce
STORYTELLING: What's with Our Lightning Bolt Logo?
STORYTELLING: Meet Zoë | Coping with COVID-19
STORYTELLING: How One Small Powerful Thing Saved Me
STORYTELLING: Meet Ashley. "How the pandemic transformed me"
STORYTELLING: Chris Bounces Back from Addiction
When you tell your story it allows you to create a narrative that makes you feel empowered. Some ways you can tell your stories are through journaling, podcasting and poetry. If you don’t tell your story, your way, who will?
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