As we bask in the afterglow of the summer solstice — the peak day of the year for abundant daylight — we enjoy the powerful light from the year’s high noon.

This time of year offers more than seasonal beauty — it offers a mirror. Take a moment to ask: Where am I standing in full light, and where might I be dimming my shine to survive the pace or politics of my profession?

Let’s shine that light on our career’s longevity. Shall we give it a wellness check? Career resilience isn’t about staying invincible — it’s about staying rooted. This is especially so in a changing world where industries shift, expectations escalate, and depletion threatens to set in.

This Solstice, let’s explore what it means to sustain both our ambition and our wellbeing.

At mid-career, it’s common to reach a quiet crossroads. You’ve built the skills. You’ve collected the titles. And yet… there’s a subtle tug, asking whether success as it’s been defined still fits who you’re becoming.

The Solstice offers a metaphor and a message: Things that have grown in shadow can now be seen. That may be in the form of patterns you’ve tolerated. Or, narratives you’ve accepted. Or, boundaries that have been bent or broken. All can come up for review.

Resilience doesn’t mean bouncing back to status quo. It means honoring your own evolution.

So instead of powering through, this season calls you to burrow inward — into clarity, into alignment, into a deeper level of self-respect.

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Career Resilience, Redefined

Let’s retire the outdated model of career toughness that glorifies overworking and stoicism. True resilience today looks different:

• It’s fluid, not rigid.
  (You adjust with grace, not grind.)
• It’s values-led, not ego-driven.
  (You act from alignment, not from fear of falling behind.)
• It’s sustainable, not sacrificial.
  (You protect your energy while you amplify your excellence.)

You get to honor your ambition and your boundaries. That’s not weak — that’s wisdom.

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A Summer Solstice Self-Check

Here’s a quick check-in you can do in five minutes or less:

1. Step outside into the light. Let the sun touch your skin, even if only for a few brief moments.
2. Take three grounding breaths. Let each one drop you further into the present.
3. Ask yourself: What’s one thing I need to say no to right now in order to say yes to myself?
4. Write that one thing down. Declare it. Practice it.

Sometimes resilience is built in the smallest of refusals — refusing to self-abandon, refusing to over-commit, refusing to cower or shrink.

For Your Consideration:

You’ve already done the hard work of arriving where you are. The question now is how to remain there — and grow — without compromising your authenticity.

The Solstice doesn’t just celebrate the light outside — it honors the light within. Let that guide you forward, bravely, beautifully, and without undue sacrifice.

Okay, your turn:

What does resilience mean to you? Can you recall a moment in your life or career where you really dug down deep and anchored yourself in a way that helped you emerge even stronger than ever?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.