Guide 2025-05-24

How to gather resources

Here's the problem: When you're conflicted, it can feel that you have no resources.

Here's the added problem: Being conflicted can also mean you feel negative, pessimistic, maybe even helpless – and then you forget or dismiss the resources you actually do have.

Here's the action plan:

List your resources. Maybe not all at once. Maybe make a start then come back to the list, add to it, develop it over time Then keep that list as a prompt, for when you need reminding what your resources really are.

It's best to fill the list out when you're feeling more resilient rather than less. When you feel at least a little confident, positive, hopeful. Or when you're with someone who cares about you and who can be positive and hopeful for you, can remind you of all the resources you have.

You can enter your notes online or print the list out and write on it. You may need to look up names or organisations, so being near a computer may help. List out every possible resource whether it's relevant to any current inner conflict or not. Probably best to do it in note form, just one or two words that point you in the right direction when you need that.

Keep the list – online or printed out – where you can easily find it when you need it.

Here’s an example of how you could complete your list:

My access to nature: my garden, the Moors, Visit Beth on the coast, holiday in Italy

My access to information: my computer, the Internet, the library at work, that legal helpline

My character traits: I'm a good friend. I keep going until I'm done. I’m good at thinking through things

Here's the list:

  1. My access to nature:
  2. My access to information:
  3. My background:
  4. My beliefs and values:
  5. My bodily strengths:
  6. My character traits:
  7. My culture:
  8. My children:
  9. My community:
  10. My courage:
  11. My creativity:
  12. My education:
  13. My emotional intelligence:
  14. My family:
  15. My friends:
  16. My geographical location:
  17. My goals:
  18. My instincts:
  19. My interests:
  20. My knowledge:
  21. My local facilities:
  22. My local landscape:
  23. My material assets:
  24. My membership of organisations:
  25. My mental abilities:
  26. My mentors and advisors:
  27. My motivations:
  28. My passions:
  29. My past experiences:
  30. My childhood:
  31. My personality:
  32. My pet/s:
  33. My physical health:
  34. My positive emotions:
  35. My practical skills:
  36. My problem solving:
  37. My professional training:
  38. My professional advisors:
  39. My professional networks:
  40. My partnerships:
  41. My resilience:
  42. My self awareness:
  43. My self-belief:
  44. My social support:
  45. My spiritual or religious beliefs:
  46. My talents:
  47. My technical expertise:
  48. My time:
  49. My treasured possessions:
  50. My words:
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