This Resilience “Ish” is for the Birds…But Bounce Back Anyway
Listen, Sister Soft Life, I hear you. I hear that quiet whisper in the middle of the chaos, the one begging for the kind of life where setbacks are just a myth. I feel that deep sigh of exhaustion from being the Rubber-Band Ma’am—the one who always snaps back because life won’t stop stretching her thin. If you’re anything like me, the fantasy is not just surviving, but thriving without all the ping-ponging between “making it work” and “barely holding it together.”
But let me tell you something loud and clear: the bounce back might not be your dream, but it sure as hell is your superpower.
The Weight of the Stretch
The truth is, society loves to romanticize resilience. They’ll applaud you for being strong, for picking up the pieces, and for figuring it out when the plan goes left. What they don’t see are the teeth-gritted nights and the tears you refuse to let fall because you don’t have time to break. You’ve been stretched by life in ways that feel unfair, exhausting, and unrelenting. But every time, you’ve snapped back into the fight.
Resilience isn’t glamorous. It’s the grit behind the glitz. It’s being the woman who bounces up, even when you’d rather just stay down for a damn minute. And while the world may celebrate the bounce, we know the toll it takes.
Redefining Resilience: From Bouncing Back to Bouncing Up
But what if we flipped the narrative? What if resilience wasn’t just about returning to where you started but launching yourself forward? Because let’s be real: every bounce-back moment gives you a little more height, a little more power, a little more momentum.
Sister, the rubber band doesn’t just survive—it stretches and builds tension, preparing for something bigger. Every setback isn’t pulling you down; it’s loading you up for the bounce forward. You’ve learned, adapted, and fortified yourself. You’ve turned “I can’t” into “watch me.”
The Finish Line Is Yours to Claim
Here’s the thing about life’s finish lines: they’re not always fair, but they are always yours to cross. And every stretch, every bounce, and every rebound is proof that you are more than capable of reaching it. You don’t have to do it gracefully. You don’t have to do it perfectly. But you damn well will do it unapologetically.
So here’s your permission slip, Sister Soft Life, to keep pushing but to also demand ease where you can. Delegate. Say no. Take the nap. Celebrate the small wins, not just the big finish. Because this isn’t just about the destination; it’s about reclaiming every inch of the journey.
A Community That Catches You
Let me remind you of one more thing: you’re not bouncing alone. There’s a sisterhood out here, women who are catching each other mid-air and saying, “Sis, you’re not crazy. You’re not weak. And you’re not alone.”
This is the heartbeat of movements like the Without Apology Tour, where we amplify resilience, celebrate sisterhood, and rewrite the rules. It’s not about pretending the struggle doesn’t exist—it’s about standing in it together, daring to dream, and refusing to apologize for the bounce or the grind.
The Rubber-Band Anthem
So, next time you feel the snap, don’t just recover—reclaim. Every stretch is a reminder of your strength. Every snap is a declaration of your power. And every bounce is a step closer to that soft life you’re building.
Take a breath, straighten that crown, and let the world know: “I might be the Rubber-Band Ma’am, but I’m stretching toward something bigger. And when I bounce back, I bounce up.”
Without apology. Always forward. Never backward.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Dr. Sagashus Levingston is an author, entrepreneur and PhD holder. She has two fur babies, Maya and Gracie, six children (three boys and three girls), and they all (including her partner) live in Madison, WI. She loves all things business, is committed to reminding moms of their power, and is dedicated to playing her part in closing the wealth gap for people of color and women. She believes that mothering is a practice, like yoga, and she fights daily to manage her chocolate intake. The struggle is real, y’all…and sometimes it’s beautiful.
Follow her on Instagram: @infamous.mothers