Breaking Toxic Resilience How Ecosystem Restorers Can Improve Their Work by Addressing Deep-Seated Trauma

Breaking Toxic Resilience How Ecosystem Restorers Can Improve Their Work by Addressing Deep-Seated Trauma

As professionals in ecosystem restoration, we often focus on the positive aspects of resilience – the ability to adapt and recover from natural disasters, human-induced crises, or social injustices. However, it's essential to acknowledge that this concept can have a dark side, particularly when it perpetuates toxic behaviors and suppresses individual and collective trauma.

In our recent conversation with Dr. Horacio Junbo Borromeo, the respected coordinator of AIM MBM class of 1980, he highlighted the need to address toxic resilience in our work as ecosystem restorers. As we strive to create more sustainable and resilient ecosystems, it's crucial that we recognize and challenge the negative impacts of toxic resilience on ourselves, our teams, and the communities we serve.

What is Toxic Resilience?

Toxic resilience refers to the ability to withstand and recover from adversity while suppressing emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This can manifest in various ways, such as

Minimizing or denying the impact of traumatic events
Suppressing emotions and feelings to cope with stress
Prioritizing efficiency over well-being and relationships

In the context of ecosystem restoration, toxic resilience can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and decreased job satisfaction. This phenomenon is not unique to our field; it's a widespread issue that affects many professionals across various disciplines.

The Consequences of Toxic Resilience

When we adopt toxic resilience as a coping mechanism, the consequences can be far-reaching

Emotional exhaustion Chronic stress and emotional suppression can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Decreased job satisfaction When we prioritize efficiency over well-being and relationships, our work-life balance suffers, leading to decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover rates.
Negative impact on team dynamics Toxic resilience can create a culture of silence, where individuals feel pressured to conform to unhealthy norms and standards.

Breaking the Cycle Strategies for Ecosystem Restorers

As professionals in ecosystem restoration, we have the power to break the cycle of toxic resilience. Here are some strategies to help you improve your work while promoting personal well-being

Acknowledge and validate emotions Recognize the emotional impact of traumatic events or chronic stress on yourself and others.
Practice self-care Engage in activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being, such as meditation, exercise, or creative pursuits.
Foster open communication Encourage a culture of transparency, honesty, and empathy within your team and organization.
Seek support networks Build relationships with colleagues, mentors, and peers who can offer emotional support and guidance.

Conclusion

As ecosystem restorers, we have a unique opportunity to create positive change in the world. By acknowledging and addressing toxic resilience, we can promote a culture of well-being, empathy, and compassion within our teams and organizations. This, in turn, will enable us to deliver high-quality work while maintaining our physical and mental health.

In 2025, let's strive to break the cycle of toxic resilience and cultivate a more sustainable and resilient approach to ecosystem restoration. Together, we can create a better future for ourselves, our communities, and the ecosystems we serve.

Keywords ecosystem restoration, toxic resilience, burnout, compassion fatigue, job satisfaction, team dynamics

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.