In the Loop Newsletter
February 18, 2026
Dear Huskies,
Midterms are now behind us, and we are heading into the final stretch of the quarter. This “in-between” moment can be a meaningful time to pause and reflect. Have you noticed any changes in your life—academically, socially, or personally? What recent experiences have been shaping your perspective?
As we all know, life can bring unexpected challenges—missing a deadline, receiving a rejection from an internship, or being unable to travel home for a special occasion. Some challenges are short-lived; others have lasting impacts. Some fall within our control; others create ripple effects across many aspects of our lives. In this newsletter, we invite you to reflect on how to navigate these moments by rediscovering resilience.
Rediscovering Resilience
Despite life’s inevitable challenges – some more significant than others – most people are more resilient than they realize. So what is resilience? Simply put, resilience is the ability to cope with stress and bounce back from adversity. A resilient person might stay calm under pressure, proactively adapt to change, and persist through obstacles with a positive mindset.
At the same time, resilience can look different depending on your cultural background. In some cultures, resilience is expressed through individual grit and self-reliance, focusing on personal problem-solving, independence—”pulling oneself up by their bootstraps.” In many other cultures, resilience is viewed as a collective process, where strength is drawn from family, community, or spiritual traditions. As such, what resilience looks like in your home culture may differ from what you encounter here in the U.S., but both perspectives are valuable and valid. We encourage you to draw from your own cultural values and practice resilience in ways that feel authentic and meaningful to you. It is also important to remember that resilience is also not a fixed trait. It’s a skill—one that can be strengthened and developed over time.
Building Your Resilience
Cornell Health identifies four skill areas that can help build resilience:
- Social Engagement: Build resilience by cultivating meaningful, face-to-face connections, volunteering, and seeking support from peers and mentors to reduce isolation.
- Self-Awareness & Self-Care: Strengthen your foundation by prioritizing physical health, practicing self-compassion and reflection to better understand and regulate your emotions.
- Attention & Focus: Increase your “flow” and productivity by training your mind to minimize distractions and focusing on one task at a time.
- Finding Meaning: Look beyond temporary happiness by clarifying your personal values, setting purposeful goals, and maintaining a long-term perspective during setbacks.
Resilient individuals help create resilient communities. Here at the UW, the Resilience Lab promotes well-being through research, education, and strategic programs and initiatives. For instance, BeReal is a 9-hour program that equip teens and college students with cognitive behavior skills to manage emotions, and mindfulness skills to strengthen self-awareness. The Five for Flourishing program aims to develop easy-to-implement teaching practices that foster well-being and social connections in the classroom. Previous collaboration between the From Artistic joy to Collective Well-being program and the Meany Center for Performing Arts to explore the force of healing and liberation through artistic expressions. We encourage you to explore the Resilience Lab for resources and opportunities to cultivate resilience as students, educators, and members of the broader UW community.
Moving Forward with “Motivated Acceptance”
Finally, resilience does not mean solving every problem immediately. Some challenges are defined by their uncertain nature. In these moments, resilience can simply mean practicing motivated acceptance—having the courage to keep moving forward even when the path is unclear and the outcome unknown.
Communities plays an important role in this process. Starting February 26, CIRCLE will host a new monthly program—CIRCLE of Support—in collaboration with International Student Services (ISS) and the Counseling Center. Join us from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in Schmitz Hall 250 to unwind and de-stress with crafts, and spend time in community. There is no RSVP required—come and stay for as long as you’d like.
As you continue navigating challenges and cultivate your resilience, remember that CIRCLE is here to advocate, engage with, and support you throughout your journey at UW. Feel free to visit us in 250 Schmitz Hall, Monday through Friday, from 10am to 4pm for office hours. Drop in and talk to a friend—we’d love to see you!
Sincerely,
CIRCLE Team