Avoidance Coping: Dealing with Stress and Anxiety

Imagine a life lived perpetually on the edge of the room, never quite stepping into the vibrant center. That, in essence, is the subtle trap of avoidance, a defense mechanism as familiar as breathing itself. In moments of anxiety, it whispers a sweet promise of escape, a quick retreat from discomfort into the shallow waters of temporary relief. But this seemingly harmless strategy, this constant steering clear of the things that unsettle us, comes at a steep price.

While avoidance may feel like a lifeline in the moment, it’s actually a cleverly disguised anchor, tethering us to stagnation, preventing genuine growth, and silently eroding the very foundations of our well-being and relationships. It’s time to step out of the shadows and examine the true cost of living a life perpetually in retreat, and more importantly, to explore the pathways towards breaking free from the grip of excessive avoidance.

Introduction: Defense of the Ego by Avoiding Life Stress

During my first semester of college, I fell behind in a few classes; procrastination was the culprit. The accumulating assignments overwhelmed my first taste of self-organization. Living on my own and trying to earn enough to survive, I experienced the anxiety of existence for the first time.  The psychological load outmatched my mental resources; too proud to seek help, I dropped most of my classes. My decision to withdraw delivered immediate relief. I experienced comfort by giving-up. In psychology we refer to this aa an avoidance coping strategy.

By giving-up, we conserve mental energy, relieving anxiety; defeat is deceivingly soothing. Quitting and moving on is not always wrong, sometimes we need space to heal, instead of working at a failed cause until we collapse. But avoidance has a cost. We trade relief for accomplishment. We slowly box in our lives, limiting future opportunities for growth.

​For me, a few extra weeks of late-night work would have prevented retaking mandatory classes. Always retreating, gaining temporary relief quickly becomes a bad habit; better futures require enough grit to face tough demands. Stress is uncomfortable. And stress heightens as we extend beyond normal comfort zones. The great achievements lie beyond the valleys of stress.

What are Defense Mechanisms?

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals unconsciously use to cope with reality and protect themselves from feelings of anxiety or threats to self-esteem. These mechanisms can help individuals manage internal conflicts and maintain a sense of psychological equilibrium.

Susan David, an instructor in psychology at Harvard University, explains that coping strategies arise from “discomfort with ‘negative’ emotions” (David, 2016). Some common reasons for using defense mechanisms include avoiding uncomfortable emotions, reducing anxiety, and protecting self-esteem. Overall, defense mechanisms play a significant role in regulating emotions and maintaining mental well-being.

Dr. Jerome S. Blackman, professor of psychiatry, explains that defense mechanisms work as circuit breakers, defusing the flow of energy when the current gets to strong. He defines defenses as mental operations that “remove components of unpleasurable affects from conscious awareness” (Blackman, 2003). George E. Vaillant, psychoanalyst and research psychiatrist, wrote in his classic book Adaptation to Life, that defenses are “normal responses to abnormal circumstances.” He adds that defenses are “healthy more often than they are pathological” (Vaillant, 1998). 

See Defense Mechanisms for more on this topic

The Danger of Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms can have negative impacts on our futures in several ways. When we rely on defense mechanisms to cope with challenges or emotional distress, we may avoid addressing the root causes of our issues. This can lead to persistent problems that continue to affect us in the long term. Additionally, over-reliance on defense mechanisms can hinder personal growth and prevent the development of healthier coping strategies.

In relationships, these mechanisms can create barriers to communication and intimacy, leading to unresolved conflicts and emotional distance. Ultimately, while defense mechanisms can provide immediate relief, their long-term consequences may impede our personal development and overall well-being.

Is Stress Bad?

Stress is good; too much stress is bad according to the diathesis stress model. Improved futures require we perform with moderate stress. When we realize the connection between stress and achievements, the knowledge bolsters our resolve to march forward into the shadowy unknowns, maintaining composure when the pressure ignites fear and the still doing what we must do. Basically, avoidance often side steps the good stress.

Hans Selye (1907–1982) revolutionized concepts about stress. He theorized that stress impacted wellness in many ways. He developed the general adaptation syndrome to describe the impact of stress. Selye believed that “stress is the spice of life,” arising from both pleasant and unpleasant activities. Therefore, our goal is not freedom from all stress, but rather to keep stress in manageable portions (Krech, 2014).

See Toxic Stress for more on this topic

Avoidance as a Defense Mechanism

Avoidance is a common defense mechanism employed to protect oneself from experiencing unpleasant emotions or situations. It involves consciously or unconsciously evading or staying away from thoughts, feelings, or activities that are perceived as threatening or anxiety-provoking. For example, someone may avoid discussing a sensitive topic with a friend to prevent potential conflict, or procrastinate on a challenging task to escape feelings of inadequacy.

While avoidance can offer temporary relief, it often hinders personal growth and problem-solving. Over-reliance on avoidance as a defense mechanism can increase stress and anxiety in the long run. Therefore, finding healthier coping strategies and addressing underlying issues is crucial for overall well-being.

Avoidance is not typically listed as a primary defense mechanism in psychological literature. However, it is a behavior included in many of the other mechanisms. Leslie Greenberg explains that we can avoid in a number of ways. “People can use extreme avoidance strategies or defenses, such as numbing or disassociation; they might use more moderate avoidant processes, such as ignoring or distraction; or they might use milder ones, such as stifling tears” (Greenberg, 2015).

We unconsciously avoid events, topics and situations that we predict will bring uncomfortable emotions. We find some satisfactory excuse to protect our ego and skip out on life, happy, relaxed and stagnant. And then we wonder why opportunity keeps passing us by.

Prioritizing a life void of discomfort “often leads to a course charted by avoidances rather than zestful goals” (Erikson, 1994).

Signs that Avoidance is Interfering with Our Lives

Excessive avoidance as a defense mechanism, while initially serving to protect from discomfort or anxiety, becomes problematic when it’s rigid, pervasive, and interferes with daily life and well-being. It’s less about the occasional avoidance we all engage in, and more about a pattern of avoidance that becomes the default response to a wide range of situations and feelings.

Here’s a breakdown of signs and symptoms.

Behavioral Signs (What you might observe externally)

Social Withdrawal and Isolation:

• Consistent refusal of social invitations: Making excuses, feigning illness, or simply saying no without explanation.
• Limiting social interactions: Gradually spending less time with friends and family, becoming reclusive.
• Avoiding gatherings or public places: Feeling anxious in crowds, preferring to stay home.
• Physical distancing: Actually moving away from people in conversations, avoiding eye contact.

Procrastination and Task Avoidance:

• Chronic procrastination: Putting off important tasks, assignments, or responsibilities until the last minute or indefinitely.
• Avoidance of work or academic tasks: Calling in sick frequently, skipping classes, or consistently underperforming due to lack of engagement.
• Inability to start or complete projects: Feeling overwhelmed by even small tasks, getting stuck and unable to move forward.
• Perfectionism as avoidance: Setting impossibly high standards to avoid starting tasks for fear of not meeting them.

Emotional and Situational Avoidance:

• Avoiding specific topics of conversation: Changing the subject quickly when certain topics come up, becoming uncomfortable or shutting down discussions related to feelings, past experiences, or potential conflicts.
• Leaving situations abruptly: Walking out of conversations, meetings, or social events when discomfort arises.
• Avoiding certain places or triggers: Steering clear of locations, people, or activities associated with past negative experiences or anticipated anxiety.
• Substance use or other distractions: Using alcohol, drugs, food, excessive internet use, or other activities to numb or distract from uncomfortable feelings or situations.

Avoidance of Intimacy and Vulnerability:

• Difficulty forming or maintaining close relationships: Keeping relationships superficial, avoiding emotional depth or commitment.
• Avoiding expressing emotions: Suppressing feelings, appearing emotionally flat or detached, difficulty talking about personal struggles.
• Fear of rejection or criticism: Avoiding situations where they might be judged or evaluated, even positively.
• Sabotaging relationships: Unconsciously or consciously pushing people away to avoid potential pain or vulnerability.

Help-Seeking Avoidance:

• Resistance to seeking therapy or professional help: Believing they can handle it themselves, minimizing the problem, or fearing vulnerability with a therapist.
• Dismissing or downplaying their struggles: Saying “it’s not a big deal,” “everyone feels this way,” or “I’m fine” when they are clearly not.

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms

High Levels of Anxiety and Fear:

• Generalized anxiety: A constant underlying feeling of worry, tension, or unease.
• Specific phobias or anxieties: Avoidance driven by specific fears (social anxiety, performance anxiety, phobias of certain objects or situations).
• Fear of negative emotions: Avoiding situations that might trigger sadness, anger, guilt, shame, or other unpleasant feelings.
• Anticipatory anxiety: Feeling anxious in anticipation of future events or situations, leading to pre-emptive avoidance.

Emotional Numbing and Detachment:

• Feeling emotionally blank or disconnected: Difficulty experiencing a full range of emotions, feeling flat or apathetic.
• Emotional withdrawal: Physically present but emotionally unavailable, feeling distant or walled off.
• Suppression of emotions: Actively pushing down or ignoring feelings, leading to internal pressure or eventual emotional outbursts in inappropriate contexts.

Low Self-Esteem and Self-Doubt:

• Negative self-talk: Constantly criticizing themselves, focusing on perceived flaws and failures.
• Lack of confidence: Avoiding challenges or opportunities due to a belief in their own inadequacy.
• Feelings of helplessness or powerlessness: Believing they are unable to cope with difficult situations or emotions.
• Dependence on avoidance for self-worth: Feeling momentarily “better” when successfully avoiding, but underlying self-esteem remains low.

Cognitive Distortions:

• Catastrophizing: Exaggerating the potential negative consequences of facing a situation, imagining the worst-case scenario.
• “Should” statements: Rigid rules and expectations about how they or others should behave, leading to avoidance when these expectations are threatened.
• Minimization of positive and maximization of negative: Downplaying positive experiences and focusing excessively on perceived failures or threats.
• All-or-nothing thinking: Seeing situations in black and white, feeling unable to handle anything less than perfect, leading to avoidance of imperfection.

Feelings of Shame and Guilt:

• Shame about their avoidance: Internally criticizing themselves for being weak, cowardly, or inadequate for needing to avoid.
• Guilt about missed opportunities or responsibilities: Feeling bad for not participating, not taking action, or letting others down due to avoidance.
• Cycle of avoidance and shame: Avoidance provides temporary relief, but fuels shame and self-criticism, which in turn can increase the need for avoidance.

Important Nuances to Consider

• Context is Key: Occasional avoidance is normal and healthy. It becomes problematic when it’s excessive, rigid, and impairs functioning. The frequency, intensity, and impact of avoidance are crucial factors.
• Underlying Issues: Excessive avoidance is often a symptom of deeper issues like anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias), depression, trauma, personality disorders (avoidant personality disorder).
• Spectrum of Severity: Avoidance can range from mild (occasional procrastination) to severe (complete social isolation and functional impairment).
• Not Always Conscious: While some avoidance strategies may be consciously employed, much of it operates outside of conscious awareness as a defense mechanism.
• Individual Variation: The specific signs and symptoms will vary from person to person depending on their personality, life experiences, and the underlying issues driving the avoidance.

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If you recognize many of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it’s important to seek professional help from a mental health professional. Excessive avoidance can significantly limit life and well-being, and therapy can be very effective in helping individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and reduce their reliance on avoidance.

What Causes Patterns of Avoidance Behavior

Behaviorism

Excessive avoidance behavior, while initially arising as a defense mechanism to manage discomfort, often stems from a complex interplay of factors rooted in anxiety and fear. In behaviorism, they refer to this as fear conditioning (Murphy, 2025). Joseph LeDoux, a prominent American neuroscientist explains that fear conditioning “turns meaningless stimuli into warning signs, cues that potentially dangerous situations on the basis of past experiences with similar situations” (LeDoux, 2015).

Just as an individual learns to fear through conditioning they can also learn behavioral reaction t o relieve the fear through operant conditioning. Basically, avoidance is frequently learned as a response to perceived threat or anticipated negative experiences. Classical and operant conditioning play a significant role in this learning; if an individual encounters a situation that evokes anxiety or distress, and avoiding that situation leads to immediate relief (negative reinforcement), avoidance becomes a reinforced and favored coping strategy.

John B. Watson, a famous figure in the history of behaviorism, wrote that usually the response that “the organism makes to a stimulus brings about an adjustment, though not always.” By an adjustment, Watson means we mean that the organism moves to alter “its physiological state that the stimulus no longer arouses reaction” (Watson, 1924).

This can be further exacerbated by direct or vicarious learning where observing others reacting fearfully to certain stimuli or situations can instill a sense of danger and encourage preemptive avoidance. Thus, the fundamental drive behind excessive avoidance is often a deeply ingrained association between specific stimuli, situations, or even internal feelings, and the unpleasant experience of anxiety or fear.

See Behaviorism for more on this branch of psychology

Cognitive Distortions

Furthermore, cognitive distortions and negative belief systems significantly contribute to the maintenance and generalization of avoidance behaviors. Individuals prone to excessive avoidance often exhibit catastrophizing, imagining worst-case scenarios and exaggerating the potential negative consequences of facing feared situations. They may underestimate their coping abilities, believing they lack the resources to manage distress or navigate challenging circumstances.

Negative self-schemas, such as beliefs of inadequacy or worthlessness, can also fuel avoidance by increasing the perceived threat of social evaluation or performance failures. These cognitive biases create a lens through which the world is perceived as inherently more dangerous and demanding, thereby solidifying avoidance as a seemingly rational and necessary approach to life’s demands and social interactions.

See Cognitive Psychology for more on this branch of psychology

Developmental Trauma

Finally, experiential and developmental factors contribute significantly to the propensity for excessive avoidance. Traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood, can create a heightened sensitivity to threat and a reliance on avoidance as a primary means of self-protection. Early experiences of inconsistent or unresponsive caregiving can also foster insecurity and anxiety, predisposing individuals to avoid emotional vulnerability and close relationships to minimize potential hurt.

Personality traits like high neuroticism or behavioral inhibition can also increase an individual’s baseline anxiety and tendency to withdraw from novel or potentially stressful situations. In essence, a confluence of learned associations, distorted cognitions, and formative life experiences can solidify excessive avoidance from a protective mechanism into a pervasive and limiting pattern of behavior.

See Psychology of Trauma for more on this topic

Treating Excessive Avoidance

Lessening avoidance behaviors is a journey, not a destination. It requires conscious effort, patience, and often support. It’s about gradually shifting from a pattern of avoidance to a pattern of approach, while developing healthier coping mechanisms for discomfort and anxiety.

Here’s a breakdown of strategies, focusing on different aspects of tackling avoidance:

1. Understanding and Awareness:

• Identify Your Avoidance Patterns: Become aware of what you avoid, when you avoid, how you avoid, and why you think you avoid. Keep a journal or mental note of situations, activities, people, or emotions you tend to steer clear of.
  • Be Specific: Instead of “I avoid social situations,” break it down: “I avoid parties with large groups,” “I avoid talking to strangers,” “I avoid situations where I might be judged.”
  • Identify Triggers: What sets off your avoidance? Is it certain thoughts, feelings, places, people, or times of day?
• Understand the Function of Avoidance: Recognize that avoidance, in the short-term, does reduce anxiety and discomfort. Acknowledge its initial “benefit.” However, understand the long-term costs and limitations it creates.
  • Short-term Relief, Long-term Pain: Remind yourself that avoidance is a quick fix that ultimately makes the underlying problem worse and shrinks your life.
• Challenge Your Avoidant Thoughts: Identify the negative thoughts and beliefs that drive your avoidance. Are they realistic? Are they helpful? Often, avoidance is fueled by:
  • Catastrophizing: “If I go to this party, something terrible will happen.”
  • Appraisal Bias: This includes an overestimation of threats, “It’s too dangerous to try new things” enhanced by an underestimation of coping abilities, “I won’t be able to handle it if I get anxious.”
  • Perfectionism: “If I can’t do it perfectly, I shouldn’t do it at all.”
  • Negative Self-Talk: “I’m not good enough,” “I’m boring,” “People won’t like me.”
  • Challenge these thoughts: Ask yourself: “What’s the evidence for this thought?” “What’s the worst that could really happen?” “What are the chances of that actually happening?” “What would I tell a friend in this situation?”

2. Gradual Exposure (Behavioral Techniques):

• Create an Exposure Hierarchy: List the situations, activities, or triggers you avoid, ranking them from least anxiety-provoking to most anxiety-provoking. This is your “fear ladder.”
  • Start Small: Begin with the least anxiety-provoking item on your hierarchy. The goal is to gradually approach the feared situations, not to jump into the deep end.
  • Repeated Exposure: Engage in the chosen situation repeatedly until your anxiety level decreases. This is called habituation. Your nervous system learns that the feared situation isn’t as dangerous as your mind perceives it to be.
  • Stay in the Situation: Resist the urge to escape or avoid when anxiety arises during exposure. Allow yourself to feel the discomfort and notice that it eventually subsides, even if you don’t do anything to actively reduce it.
  • Move Up the Hierarchy: Once you feel comfortable with one step, gradually move to the next, more challenging item on your hierarchy.
  • Patience and Persistence: Exposure takes time and consistent effort. There will be ups and downs. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Celebrate small victories.

Example Exposure Hierarchy for Social Avoidance:

• Smiling at a stranger on the street.
• Saying “hello” to a cashier.
• Making small talk with a neighbor.
• Calling a store to ask a question.
• Attending a small gathering with one or two friends.
• Going to a coffee shop and ordering a drink.
• Attending a larger, casual social gathering.
• Initiating a conversation with someone you don’t know well.
• Giving a presentation in front of a small group.
• Attending a party with many strangers.

3. Developing Coping Skills (Emotional Regulation & Distress Tolerance):

• Mindfulness Techniques: Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment, without judgment. This helps you observe anxiety without reacting with avoidance.
  • Breathing Exercises: Deep, slow breaths can calm the nervous system.
  • Body Scan Meditations: Bring awareness to different parts of your body to reduce physical tension.
  • Grounding Techniques: Use your senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste) to anchor yourself in the present when feeling overwhelmed by anxiety.
• Relaxation Techniques: Learn and practice relaxation techniques to manage anxiety physically.
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Systematically tense and release different muscle groups to reduce tension.
  • Guided Imagery: Use your imagination to create calming mental images.
• Distress Tolerance Skills (if anxiety is intense): Learn skills to cope with intense emotions in the moment without resorting to avoidance. These skills are often taught in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Examples include:
  • Distraction (used sparingly): Temporarily shifting your attention to something else to reduce immediate overwhelm.
  • Self-Soothing: Engaging your senses in comforting ways (e.g., listening to music, taking a warm bath, using a comforting scent).
  • Radical Acceptance: Acknowledging and accepting the reality of the present situation, even if it’s uncomfortable, without fighting it.
• Cognitive Restructuring (Reframing Thoughts): Actively challenge and reframe negative or unhelpful thoughts. Replace them with more realistic and balanced perspectives.
  • Identify the thought: “I can’t handle this presentation, I’ll freeze up and everyone will laugh.”
  • Challenge the thought: “Is that really true? What’s the evidence? Have I handled presentations before? What’s the worst that could happen?”
  • Replace with a more balanced thought: “Giving presentations can be nerve-wracking, but I’ve prepared, and I can handle feeling anxious. Even if I’m not perfect, it will be okay.”

4. Behavioral Activation (Increasing Approach Behaviors):

• Schedule Approach Behaviors: Actively plan activities and tasks that you tend to avoid, but that are important or meaningful to you.
  • Start with Small, Achievable Steps: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Break down larger avoided tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
  • Focus on Values and Goals: Connect your approach behaviors to your values and long-term goals. Why is it important to you to overcome this avoidance? What will you gain?
  • Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your approach behaviors and how you felt. Notice your successes, even small ones.
• Reward Yourself for Approach: Acknowledge and reward yourself for taking steps toward approaching feared situations, even if they feel uncomfortable. Positive reinforcement can strengthen approach behaviors.

5. Building Self-Compassion and Reducing Self-Criticism:

• Treat Yourself with Kindness: Avoid self-criticism and harsh judgments for your avoidance behaviors. Recognize that avoidance is a coping mechanism, even if it’s become unhelpful.
• Practice Self-Compassionate Self-Talk: Talk to yourself as you would to a friend who was struggling. Offer words of encouragement, understanding, and support.
• Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Set realistic expectations for yourself. Progress isn’t always linear. Acknowledge and celebrate small steps forward.

6. Seeking Support and Professional Help:

• Therapy: Therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), are highly effective for addressing avoidance behaviors. A therapist can:
  • Provide Guidance and Support: Offer a structured approach and personalized strategies.
  • Teach Coping Skills: Help you develop the emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring skills mentioned above.
  • Facilitate Exposure Therapy: Guide you through gradual exposure in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Address Underlying Issues: Help you explore and address any underlying anxiety disorders, depression, or trauma that may be contributing to your avoidance.
• Support Groups: Connecting with others who are facing similar challenges can provide validation, encouragement, and practical tips.
• Supportive Relationships: Talk to trusted friends or family members about your struggles. Let them know how they can support you in your efforts to reduce avoidance.

Key Principles for Success:

• Gradual and Consistent: Small, consistent steps are more effective than trying to make drastic changes overnight.
• Patience and Persistence: Overcoming avoidance takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Keep practicing and keep moving forward.
• Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself throughout the process. It’s okay to feel anxious and uncomfortable.
• Focus on Approach, Not Just Avoidance Reduction: Shift your focus to building a life that is more meaningful and fulfilling, rather than just trying to eliminate avoidance.
• Professional Guidance is Invaluable: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist. They have the expertise and tools to significantly support your journey.

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Lessening avoidance is about reclaiming your life and expanding your possibilities. It’s a courageous act of self-improvement and a step towards greater well-being.

Associated Concepts

• Behavioral Activation System (BAS): This is a neurological network, regulates goal-directed behavior, motivation, and reward processing. It interacts independently with the Behavioral Inhibition System, affecting personality and psychopathology.
• Fear of Failure: This refers to the anxiety or apprehension related to the anticipation of failing at a task or in a specific situation. It can lead individuals to avoid taking risks or attempting new challenges due to the perceived negative consequences of failing.
• Maladaptive Behavior: This refers to behaviors that are not necessarily bad or ill but maladaptive to securing a particular goal. ‘Maladaptive behavior’ describes modified actions that poorly adjust to circumstances, often exchanging desired long term goals for short term relief.
• Approach-Avoidance Theory: This theory suggests that individuals are motivated to approach desirable stimuli and to avoid undesirable ones. This theory, proposed by psychologist Kurt Lewin, highlights the internal conflict people experience when they are simultaneously attracted to and repelled by the same goal or situation.
• Regulatory Fit Theory: This theory proposes that individuals are motivated by the matching of their regulatory focus (promotion or prevention) with the situational context. When an individual’s regulatory focus aligns with the situational factors, they experience a “fit” and are more likely to pursue goals effectively.
• Motivation Orientation: This refers to an individual’s underlying motivation to accomplish tasks, goals, or activities. It reflects the underlying motivations that drive a person’s behavior and influence their choices.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

We must scrutinize the impulse to escape roughness. These pulsing desires can be destructive. Whether we simply give up, shoot up, or run away, we default to devastating habits that promise a life of pain, avoiding the discomfort that offers long term blessings. Choices made unconsciously through impulsive reaction must be reevaluated for effectiveness, examining the short and long-term costs of escape.

Many of us have some unhealthy reactions to stress that impede our growth—we just don’t know it. We must dodge the ego and accept responsibility, honestly examining past choices, unveiling the nasty patterns. Sadly, without insight, we will continue to flee opportunity to avoid stress, never achieving our intentions.

​Managing stress is a skill, requiring more than grappling with pain by powering through it. Accordingly, we use tools to assist, soothing anxiety and giving hope. However, these tools shouldn’t be a surprise—meditation, exercise, healthy eating, rest and supportive friends. As we mindfully examine our lives, discovering avoidance and learn better skills that address the stress without avoiding the opportunity. With skill, we can seize more opportunities and flourish.