Thriving Through Discomfort: What Nature Teaches Us About Resilience and Adaptability
“In the depth of winter,
I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
– Albert Camus
In 2025, we live in a world of easy fixes, particularly in the West. Having access to everything that we could ever want at our fingertips is a reflection of abundance, on the one hand; but on the other, it can certainly lead to us becoming so accustomed to our creature comforts that we never step outside into areas that make us uncomfortable.
We may desire perfect conditions to do our work, but the truth is that transformation does not happen in perfect conditions – especially in collaborative settings where the goal is personal and professional growth.
Our team has frequently been inspired by how nature provides not only a powerful metaphor – but physical training ground – for developing resilience, adaptability, and emotional agility.
There are some who are terrified of being in outdoor environments due to the exposure to the elements, as well as being distant from technology and other day-to-day modern conveniences. If you resonate with this, it’s completely normal – but this post may open your eyes to newfound ways to grow, thrive, and even learn from the depths of the natural world. Let’s dive into some ways that nature teaches us about resilience and adaptability.
On a multi-day outdoor retreat or canoeing expedition, you simply cannot control, nor avoid, the weather. But as Thrive CEO Terry Dubroy and expert trainer Tony Cox describe in “Transformations Through Nature: Insights From Outdoor Leadership with Tony Cox“ on the Thriving Perspectives podcast, they have even learned to find the hidden beauty in the harshest of conditions. As Terry depicted,
“You and I talk a lot about the rain and how beautiful it is to see raindrops bouncing off the lake. You would assume that when rain falls, it goes straight into the water, but it doesn’t. It creates an otherworldly ripple effect. Some people will never see that wonder in their life because they're tucked away inside.”
While in the modern world, we often complain that it’s such a miserable day outside when it’s raining, the natural world teaches us that some of the most beautiful sights can occur in the harshest of conditions. This lesson is a reflection of what we can learn from challenges in life itself: when undergoing the pain of new transformations, we will come out on the other side feeling even closer to the highest version of ourselves. We will catch stunning glimpses of our potential that in comfort would have been otherwise unseen, like the raindrops bouncing off a lake before a storm.
Valuable experiences are often missed when we constantly seek control and comfort. Nobody can expand their full capacity in environments that are certain and perfected. The imperfections of the unknown, and subsequently, the exposure that it provides us, are often the greatest teachers.
Journalling Prompts for Thriving Through Discomfort
Carry forward some of the journaling prompts below with you to continue challenging yourself to become resilient and adaptable, remembering the power of nature’s hidden lessons and gifts.
Do I try to control my environment and day-to-day too much? And/or, do I seek comfort and fail to expand beyond my comfort zone too much?
What is one thing that I have learned from nature about thriving through discomfort?
How can I let go of control/comfort and seek an outdoor experience that would expand me?
