Endurance is getting through; recovery is getting better. Despite Holling’s distinction [that real ecological resilience wasn’t about snapping back, but about persistence], we have continued to confuse the two, and this confusion has consequences. Whereas endurance can be demanded of someone, recovery requires support. Glorifying endurance shifts attention away from systems and places expectations on to individuals.
You break down, repair, and rebuild something new. The challenge itself doesn’t make you stronger, your response does. No recovery, no gain. In the gym, we understand this. In life, we pretend the damage didn’t happen, and call it strength.