Monday, February 10, 2025

Kuwentong Bangtan: Tita Mars on Growth, Resilience and Our ARMY Glow Up Journey

My ARMY chingu, Tita Mars Atienza, writer and life coach, had a Kuwentuhan Sonyeondan session with our small band of Tita ARMYs to celebrate SOPE Season. Inspired by Jhope's desire to continue learning and Suga's grit and resilience, we gathered on Gmeet one Saturday night to listen to Tita Mars walk us through stories of SOPE. Needless to say, we were moved to look at our own journeys of change and growth, and discover the hidden strength we bring fort at every step and every turn. 

Taking off from that meaningful session, here is an interview with Tita Mars that lay bare the value of growth, learning and resilience from the lens of BTS and ARMY life. Through this brief interview, we hope we are able to open doors of possibilities to glow up - ARMY or otherwise.

1. Icebreaker Reflection: During the icebreaker, we had a chance to laugh and share a bit of ourselves. How do you think small activities like these contribute to building resilience in everyday life?

Laughter and shared moments, no matter how small, remind us that resilience isn’t just about pushing through the hard times. It’s also about creating space for joy, connection, and lightness. I think about how Suga and J-Hope approach their craft: Suga, with his quiet introspection, finds healing through music, while J-Hope’s vibrant energy turns even struggles into something hopeful. Their balance of playfulness and discipline teaches us that resilience isn’t just about endurance; it’s about how we pause and recharge. When we engage in small, lighthearted activities like the icebreaker that we did, we build emotional muscle memory. This teaches ourselves that even in difficult times, there’s always space for laughter, creativity, and community. 

2. Resilience and Reinvention: You talked about resilience and reinvention in our session. Can you share a personal experience where reinvention helped you overcome a significant challenge, and what lessons can we apply from your journey?

Reinvention for me is an act of courage. It’s choosing to meet ourselves again and again, even when life forces us into unfamiliar territory. One of my biggest reinventions came when I moved - and left - my place of healing, Cebu. It was terrifying, and there were moments when I questioned everything. But just like Suga, who transitioned from underground rapper to global artist by embracing every phase of his evolution, I realized that growth requires shedding old versions of ourselves. Reinvention isn’t about abandoning who we were. Moreover, it’s about allowing ourselves to expand. 

The lesson? Growth is uncomfortable, but staying stagnant is even more painful. Instead of fearing reinvention, we should ask: Who am I becomng? What new possibilities open up when I trust myself? 



3. Call to Action – Resilience Pledge: The resilience pledge was a powerful way to conclude the session. How can we ensure that the commitment we made today translates into long-term actions, even when we face setbacks?

Making a pledge is easy when we feel inspired, but true resilience is about showing up even when motivation fades. Just like how J-Hope dedicated to his craft by practicing endlessly to perfect every move, we need daily habits that reinforce our commitment:  


Anchor our pledge to something tangible. Write it down, create a vision board, or set reminders on our phones. Make it real. 

Find your hype squad/ fan club/ advocates.Whether it’s friends, a community, or a mentor, let's surround ourselves with people who uplift us and remind us of our why. 

Embrace setbacks as part of the journey. Just like artists who refine their work through trial and error, we, too, evolve through our missteps.


If you’re ready to take your resilience to the next level, I invite you to join my Women Empowerment Retreat at Villa Viram, Tagaytay on March 29. It’s an immersive experience designed to help you reclaim your power, reconnect with your authentic self, and build a life rooted in confidence, joy, and purpose. Because resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. And we all deserve that. 

Secure your spot via: https://forms.gle/G26NJqaBCf9tcTMi9


Get to know Tita Mars:

Through her book, Becoming Sheroes: Stories of Heartstrong Women

Through this Author Interview: Marissa Atienza



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