Weaving Your Bungee Roper and Why Resilience Matters
Congratulations on completing the Weaving Your Bungee Rope questionnaire! You’ve taken an important step in assessing your “bounce factor” and understanding the current state of your personal resilience. This page has been specially designed to help you further reflect on your results and explore key concepts focused on building resilience, making informed choices, and strengthening your capacity to not only bounce back, but in time and with growth, thrive in challenging situations.
Take a moment to review the content here—it will give you some starting insights, some practical guidance, and a couple of easy to use resources to start helping you strengthen that ‘bounce back’ factor.
Below, you’ll also find an impactful video that ties everything together.
This learning models, presented by Shane Varcoe, Executive Director of the Dalgarno Institute, dives a little deeper into some of the critical aspects of building resilience and the significant risks posed by harmful choices—particularly substance use.
Key takeaways include:
- The five basic learning modes/stages that can shape resilience and decision-making throughout life.
- How substances like marijuana alter brain development, diminish resilience, and harm agency.
The power of choice and the importance of fortifying your bungee rope with positive influences like healthy relationships, boundaries, self-reflection and useful mindfulness.
Building Resilience Through Learning Models
We grow and develop through a mix of learning styles and experiences. These “learning models” can be vital tools in shaping a resilient and capable individual or doing the exact opposite. Here’s a closer look at the key models discussed in the video, along with practical proactive applications for your life.
1. Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning focuses on rational thinking and processing information to make better decisions. It’s not just about what you learn but how you think critically and logically.
Practical Tips:
- Seek out reliable information before making decisions.
- Develop a reading habit to encourage reflection and expand your worldview.
- Challenge unhelpful thoughts by weighing them against facts and evidence.
2. Observational Learning
We often learn by observing others, especially those closest to us, like parents, guardians, or peers. Actions speak louder than words—it’s not just about hearing advice but seeing it practiced.
Practical Tips:
- Reflect on who in your life models positive behaviors and learn from them.
- Be mindful of the example you set for others—your actions can inspire change.
- When observing harmful behaviors, ask yourself how those behaviors align with your goals.
3. Operant Learning
This is learning by doing. By trying new things, succeeding, failing, and repeating, we grow stronger and more knowledgeable. Good learning environments encourage trying, failing safely, and learning from mistakes.
Practical Tips:
- Celebrate small wins—acknowledge that every step forward builds resilience.
- Learn to manage failure as an opportunity to improve and adapt.
- Create a routine that challenges you while allowing room for growth.
4. Cultural Learning
Cultural learning is about how we form habits and behaviors based on the people, values, and environments we engage with. The culture around us can influence us positively or negatively.
Practical Tips:
- Surround yourself with people who inspire positive actions and long-term goals.
- Be intentional about the media and activities you consume—ask, “Does this help me grow?”
- Stand firm in your values, even when peer pressure might say otherwise.
5. Heads Up
The world doesn’t always come at us gently. “Heads Up” refers to being watchful and mindful – keeping your ‘eyes open’ not just blindly following the ‘F’ words of pop-culture, you know Fad, Flavour, Fashion or Formula. It’s about staying grounded when life gets chaotic. Understanding your stress triggers and learning healthy coping mechanisms are essential to this process.
Practical Tips:
- Recognise moments when emotions take over and pause before reacting.
- Develop habits like journaling, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to stay grounded.
- Set boundaries to protect yourself from unnecessary stressors.
6. In Between: The Power to Choose
Between every stimulus and response lies your power to choose. While environments and experiences might shape us, we ultimately are the ones who have final control over our words, choices and actions. The choices we make today impact our resilience for tomorrow.
Practical Tips:
- Pause and reflect before reacting, especially in high-pressure situations.
- Lean on trusted mentors, peers, or guides when uncertain about a decision.
- Continuously evaluate your goals and values to make aligned choices.
Recipe Messing Drugs
Substances like marijuana can wreak havoc on your resilience and decision-making, negatively impacting your brain, behavior, and relationships.
Why It Matters
- Youth at Risk—1 in 6 young cannabis users risk addiction.
- Impacts on Mental Health—THC has been linked to anxiety, psychosis, and even schizophrenia in some.Every developing brain (up to 28 years of age) is at risk of developing serious mental illness from cannabis, not only those with predisposition.
- Gateway Risks—Cannabis use increases the likelihood of addiction to harder substances.
- Environmental Damage—Beyond personal impacts, cannabis cultivation harms ecosystems and wastes resources.
The Facts
- Daily adolescent cannabis users are 7x more likely to attempt suicide.
- High-potency THC extracts, like wax and dabs, exacerbate health risks.
- The black market thrives even in legalised areas, fueling violent crimes.
Making informed decisions about substance use is vital to preserving your ability to choose, grow, and bounce back from life’s challenges.
Reflect and Take Action
Your resilience is stronger than you think—but it requires careful nurturing. Take time to reflect on your results from the Weaving Your Bungee Rope questionnaire.
- What areas of your life need attention?
- Which learning models resonate most with you?
Next Steps to Build Your Resilience
- Journal It Out: Commit to keeping a resilience journal to track goals, challenges, and victories.
- Share and Connect: Talk to a trusted mentor, teacher, or friend about what you’ve learned.
- Join Our Community: Explore resources and sign up for sessions at the Dalgarno Institute to keep strengthening your bungee rope.