Lucas Graham
Life’s challenges can either break us or make us stronger, and some individuals seem to thrive no matter how difficult the circumstances.
What sets these people apart isn’t luck—it’s their mindset and habits.
According to psychology, resilience is often rooted in specific behaviors that help individuals navigate uncertainty, adapt to change, and come out stronger on the other side.
If you’re curious about what it takes to not just survive but thrive in tough times, these eight habits offer valuable insight:
1) Embracing change
Have you ever noticed how some people just seem to roll with the punches?
When life throws a curveball, they don’t freeze or crumble. Instead, they adapt and evolve.
According to psychology, this is one of the key habits of people who thrive during challenging situations.
This habit, known as change agility, is not about having a reckless disregard for stability.
Rather, it’s about understanding that change is part of life and having the flexibility to adjust accordingly—seeing change not as a threat but as an opportunity for growth and learning.
People who embrace change understand that staying stagnant is not an option.
They view challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.
When things don’t go as planned, they don’t wallow in self-pity.
Instead, they reassess their strategies and adjust their sails.
2) Accepting the presence of discomfort
It might seem odd, but those who excel during challenging times often have a unique relationship with discomfort—they accept it.
Instead of striving to eliminate all forms of discomfort from their lives, they see it as a natural part of the human experience.
While it’s human nature to seek comfort and avoid pain, those who thrive in challenging situations understand that discomfort can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
They don’t let the fear of discomfort hold them back from taking risks or pursuing their dreams.
These individuals are also keenly aware of their emotions, even the uncomfortable ones.
Rather than pushing these feelings away or trying to numb them, they allow themselves to feel them fully.
This emotional awareness and acceptance helps them navigate through tough times with resilience and grace.
3) Practicing mindfulness
Being present in the moment, or practicing mindfulness, is a habit that’s often seen in people who handle challenging situations well.
This isn’t about ignoring the past or future but about focusing on the here and now without judgment.
Research shows that mindfulness can reduce stress and improve emotional regulation, which in turn helps people respond to challenges more effectively.
Instead of being consumed by worry or regret, they can focus on the task at hand and make more rational decisions.
Mindfulness can be practiced in many ways—from dedicating a few minutes each day to meditation, to simply taking a moment to focus on their breath when feeling stressed.
The key is consistency.
With time and practice, mindfulness can become a natural part of their routine, helping them navigate through life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience.
4) Offering help to others
In the midst of challenges, it might seem natural to turn inward, focusing solely on their own problems.
Yet, those who thrive in tough situations often do the opposite—they extend a helping hand to others.
This isn’t about ignoring their own needs or troubles, but it’s about understanding that we’re all in this together.
When we help others, we’re not just making their lives better—we’re also enhancing our own well-being.
Helping others can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
It can shift our perspective from our own struggles to the positive impact we can make in someone else’s life.
It’s a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest times, we have the capacity to be a source of light for others.
5) Celebrating small victories
Let’s face it, we all have those days when everything seems to be going wrong.
The challenges pile up and it feels like we’re not making any progress.
It’s in these moments when the habit of celebrating small victories can make a world of difference.
Even when faced with big challenges, those who thrive often take a moment to acknowledge their small wins.
Maybe it’s completing a difficult task at work, or finally starting that project they’ve been putting off—no victory is too small to be celebrated!
Acknowledging these moments doesn’t mean they’re ignoring the larger tasks at hand.
Rather, it provides a much-needed morale boost and helps build momentum towards tackling the bigger challenges.
Every step forward, no matter how small, is still progress.
6) Learning from mistakes
We’ve all been there—a plan goes awry, an idea fails, or a decision leads to a less than ideal outcome.
It’s easy to beat ourselves up over these mistakes, but those who thrive during challenging situations choose to see these missteps as learning opportunities.
Let me give you an example: Once, a friend embarked on a new business venture.
Despite careful planning and hard work, the business didn’t take off as expected and ultimately failed. Instead of dwelling on this failure, my friend chose to see it as a valuable lesson.
They analyzed what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and used this knowledge when starting their next venture.
It’s this habit of learning from mistakes that can transform setbacks into stepping stones for success.
7) Prioritizing self-care
It’s easy to put self-care on the back burner when they’re facing difficulties, but that’s exactly when they need it the most.
Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days (though, those are nice too).
It’s about making sure they’re eating well, getting enough rest, staying physically active, and taking time out to relax and recharge—setting boundaries and saying no when necessary.
Make self-care a priority because it’s essential.
8) Cultivating a positive mindset
At the end of the day, it all comes down to one thing: One’s mindset.
How people perceive challenges, how they respond to them, and how they bounce back from them—it all depends on our mindset.
Those who thrive during challenging situations tend to cultivate a positive mindset.
They choose to see the glass as half full, rather than half empty; they see challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, rather than obstacles blocking their path.
A positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring reality or pretending that everything is fine when it’s not.
It’s about maintaining an optimistic outlook and believing in their ability to overcome challenges.
Remember, one’s mindset is a powerful tool.
Use it wisely, and people will be better equipped to navigate through any situation life throws their way.
Cultivate a positive mindset, and watch how they thrive during challenging situations.
Final thoughts
Navigating life’s challenges isn’t always easy, but it’s part of our journey as human beings.
The strategies and habits we’ve discussed here aren’t about avoiding difficulties, but rather about learning to thrive within them.
Time spent cultivating these habits is an investment in your future self.
Having the courage to embrace these habits means acknowledging your own strength and resilience.
It’s about refusing to let challenges define you, but instead using them as stepping stones towards growth.
Here’s to not just surviving, but truly thriving in the face of challenges—you’ve got this!
