Lachlan Brown
Some people think mental strength is about never feeling afraid, stressed, or overwhelmed. But the truth is, real strength comes from facing challenges head-on and coming out the other side stronger.
The hardest experiences in life often teach us the most, even if they don’t feel that way at the time. If you’ve been through certain struggles and kept going, chances are, you’re mentally tougher than most people.
Here are eight experiences that prove you’re stronger than you might realize.
1) You’ve faced failure and kept going
Failure can feel like the end of the road, but mentally strong people know it’s just a detour.
Most people fear failure so much that they avoid taking risks altogether. But if you’ve ever failed—whether in your career, relationships, or personal goals—and still found the strength to keep moving forward, that’s a sign of real resilience.
Failure isn’t what defines you. How you respond to it does. And if you’ve learned from your mistakes and kept pushing forward, you’re already ahead of most people.
2) You’ve had to walk away from someone you cared about
Letting go of someone you love is one of the hardest things you can do. But sometimes, it’s the only choice that protects your peace.
I once had a close friend who I thought would be in my life forever. But over time, I started to realize the friendship was one-sided. I was always the one reaching out, always the one making an effort. And when I really needed support, they weren’t there for me.
It took me a long time to accept it, but eventually, I had to let go. It wasn’t easy, and for a while, it hurt like hell. But in the end, I realized that choosing myself wasn’t selfish—it was necessary.
If you’ve ever had to walk away from someone you cared about because they were no longer good for you, that’s a sign of true mental strength. It takes courage to put yourself first.
3) You’ve stepped outside your comfort zone
Most people prefer to stay where things are safe and familiar. But true growth only happens when you push yourself beyond what feels comfortable.
Studies have shown that the brain actually rewires itself when we take on new challenges. This process, called neuroplasticity, helps us build resilience and adapt to new situations more easily.
If you’ve ever taken a leap into the unknown—whether by moving to a new city, starting a new job, or trying something that scared you—you’ve already proven that you can handle uncertainty. And that’s something many people struggle with.
4) You’ve learned to let go of what you can’t control
Buddhism teaches that suffering comes from attachment—holding on too tightly to things, people, or outcomes we can’t control. But letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about accepting life as it is and finding peace in the present moment.
In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I talk about how embracing impermanence can make you stronger. When you stop resisting change and start flowing with it, life becomes a lot less stressful.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where things didn’t go your way—whether it was a failed relationship, a missed opportunity, or an unexpected loss—but you chose to accept it instead of dwelling on it, that’s a major sign of mental strength. Letting go is one of the hardest things to do, but it’s also one of the most freeing.
5) You’ve kept going even when no one understood
Sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones you fight alone. When no one else sees your vision, when people doubt your choices, or when they just don’t understand why something matters so much to you—it’s easy to second-guess yourself.
There was a time when I felt completely alone in my goals. People around me didn’t get why I was making certain sacrifices or choosing a different path from what was expected. I remember questioning myself constantly, wondering if I was making a huge mistake. But deep down, I knew I had to trust myself, even if no one else did.
If you’ve ever had to push forward despite the doubt, despite the loneliness, despite the fear of failing in front of everyone—you’ve already shown more mental strength than you probably realize. It takes courage to stay true to yourself when the world doesn’t get it.
6) You’ve asked for help when you needed it
Most people think mental strength is about doing everything on your own—pushing through struggles without ever relying on anyone else. But in reality, one of the strongest things you can do is admit when you need help.
It takes real courage to be vulnerable, to say, *I can’t do this alone.* Whether it’s seeking advice, reaching out to a friend, or even going to therapy, asking for support shows self-awareness and resilience.
If you’ve ever swallowed your pride and let someone in during a tough time, that’s not weakness—that’s strength. The strongest people know they don’t have to carry everything alone.
7) You’ve had to start over from nothing
Losing everything—whether it’s a job, a relationship, or a sense of direction—can feel like the end. But those who are mentally strong know that every ending is also a new beginning.
Starting over is terrifying. It forces you to face uncertainty, rebuild from scratch, and step into the unknown. But if you’ve ever had to pick yourself up after life knocked you down, you’ve already proven your resilience.
Not everyone has the strength to begin again. But if you’ve done it—even once—you know what you’re capable of. And that makes you unstoppable.
8) You’ve learned to be kind to yourself
Life is hard enough without being your own worst enemy. But so many people are. They beat themselves up over mistakes, hold themselves to impossible standards, and speak to themselves in ways they’d never speak to a friend.
Mental strength isn’t about being tough all the time—it’s about having the wisdom to show yourself compassion. To forgive yourself. To recognize that you’re doing the best you can.
If you’ve learned how to treat yourself with kindness, even when you fall short, even when things don’t go as planned, even when you feel like you’re not enough—you’ve already won a battle most people don’t even realize they’re fighting.
Bottom line: You’re stronger than you think
Strength isn’t always loud. It’s not always about pushing through, never breaking down, or proving something to the world. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet moments—when you choose to keep going, even when no one is watching.
Mental strength isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build, one challenge at a time. And if you’ve lived through these experiences, chances are, you’ve already developed more resilience than most people.
A big part of this strength comes from learning to let go—of control, of expectations, of the need for everything to make perfect sense. In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I explore how embracing life’s uncertainties can actually make us stronger and more at peace.
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