Fortitude: Celebrating Your Grit

Let’s talk about grit. 

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, grit can refer to rough, hard bits of sand (such as the grit which causes an oyster to create a pearl) or the strength of mind or spirit, and it’s that fortitude that we’re delving into today.

We believe in building our small business and personal foundation on three essential cornerstones: grit, grace, and gratitude.

Practicing these values enriches our life’s experience, strengthens our personal relationships, focuses us on wellness, and helps us persevere in the face of any challenges or setbacks that may come our way.

Join us as we discuss what it means to have grit, why it’s important, and how to celebrate your inner strength.


Grit, Fortitude, and Resilience


What is grit?

Professor of psychology, New York Times best-selling author, and MacArthur fellow Angela Duckworth defines grit, in short, as “perseverance and passion for very long-term goals.” The more nuanced explanation of grit includes one’s ability to overcome obstacles, to remain tenacious, to maintain courage in the face of or fear of failure, to learn from failures, and overall strength of character.

We believe that passion, commitment, and a diligent spirit are intrinsic to resilience and grit, but there’s more to it than that.

According to Forbes, there are 5 characteristics that are encompassed in the general quality we call “grit”: courage, conscientiousness, endurance, resilience, and pursuit of excellence. 

Grit is also often and more casually described as one’s ability to “stick to it”, and Duckworth asserts that it’s grit, more than talent or IQ, that allows individuals to succeed, achieve goals or dreams, and ultimately thrive.

 

Harnessing Grit and Fortitude


How do you cultivate grit and resilience?

Embracing a growth mindset is key, according to Angela Duckworth. You’ll note that courage is a key component of grit mentioned above, particularly as it pertains to failure. 

One must have the fortitude to not be paralyzed by a potential failure, but rather to view missteps as intrinsic to the learning process. These mishaps and unsuccessful detours promote growth toward long-term goals and increase the flexibility that broadens one’s potential. Adopting this growth mindset promotes positivity and strength, which helps you overcome whatever challenges may lay in your path.

An additional key mindset in cultivating grit is the pursuit of excellence in place of perfection. Perfection is rarely attainable and an unrealistic goal, which can interfere with your ability to get back up, stick with something, or keep going once you’ve experienced an initial setback. Excellence, however, refers to an outstanding and valuable quality, which is a more forgiving goal that everyone can successfully manifest.

Another key activity for developing grit is stepping outside your comfort zone, which broadens your experiences and increases self-confidence. This may also help you find new interests, which in turn can renew your passion, help you develop a new goal, or realize a dream you’d like to pursue, all of which play heavily into developing grit. 

It’s also extremely helpful to commit to a routine or practice. The more you’re able to “stick with” one specific thing, the more it will become a habit in all aspects of your life. At Grit & Grace Studio, we’re also big proponents of writing and saying a mantra each week.

We believe there is enormous power in regularly channeling your thoughts into the written word. When you commit a dream to the written word, you commit to pursuing it: Dr. Gail Matthews found that you actually become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams simply by writing them down regularly. 

Finally, find your tribe! Surrounding yourself with a support network that practices optimism, has goals of their own, and can cheer you on will do wonders toward increasing your resilience and grit. 

 

Celebrating Your Grit


Gather your tribe and join us for a Mala Workshop. During this transformative tutorial, you’ll learn how to make your own Mala Mantra Meditation Necklace, celebrate the bonds of sisterhood, set your intentions, and enjoy a guided meditation. The Mala Mantra Necklace consists of 108 beads, and the repetition of your mantra as you move through your practice will help to focus your mind and center your long-term goals. $108 per seat

 

Let our best-selling Grit Adjustable Bolo Bracelet remind you that you have the grit that it takes to create a pearl from any challenging situation. The Grit Bracelet celebrates your ability to overcome rough waters and persevere with grace and elegance. Choose from 11 distinct designs, all of which are designed to fit comfortably on any wrist. $30

 

Cultivate your grit by recording your triumphs and fortitude in the face of adversity in an inspirational leather journal. You can also use this beautiful leather journal to center your goals and manifest your hopes and dreams into the written word as you pursue your passion. The rustic leather cover is embossed with one of several motivational quotes. $45

 

Rough waters make strong mermaids, as the Moxie Sea Glass Necklace reminds you. Just as this broken shard of glass survived tumultuous waters to become a luminescent pendant, so you have the grit to emerge from any situation and let your light shine through.

Wear this pendant through storms or in smooth sailing to remember your inner strength and celebrate your resilience. The Moxie is available in 3 delicate hues and 2 varying lengths of wire-wrapped pearl chain. From $80


Grit and resilience are so important in pursuing your passion, but remember to incorporate self-care into your daily routine. Learn about the importance of a self-care practice and shop our self-care collection today.

We also offer a carefully curated selection of gift baskets to pamper and inspire you or your loved ones. Let our in-house calligraphy team add a handwritten heartfelt gift note or personalize one of our signature Gilded Oyster Ring Dishes with your favorite motivational words!

One Love & Blessings,

The Grit & Grace Family

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