If you’ve experienced these 7 things in your lifetime, you’re more mentally more resilient than the average person

Life has a way of testing us, often in ways we don’t anticipate.

The challenges we face can shape us, break us, or transform us into stronger versions of ourselves.

While everyone encounters difficulties, some experiences have a unique power to build mental resilience—the kind that allows you to navigate life’s storms with strength and grace.

If you’ve lived through the following seven experiences, chances are you’ve cultivated a level of resilience that sets you apart from the average person.

Let’s dive in and see what they are—how many can you relate to?

1) You’ve faced a major setback

Everyone encounters setbacks in life, but it’s about how you bounce back from it that matters.

If you’ve experienced a major setback—be it in your career, personal life or health—and have managed to rise above it, this is a clear sign of your mental resilience.

Facing adversity head-on and emerging stronger on the other side isn’t easy.

It requires an immense amount of mental strength and resilience.

Resilience doesn’t mean you won’t feel the impact of the setback as it’s completely normal to feel pain and disappointment.

What sets resilient people apart is their capability to recover faster and move forward.

2) You’ve made tough decisions

I remember when I had to make one of the toughest decisions of my life.

After years of working in a job that was no longer fulfilling and was causing me stress, I decided to quit. It was a tough call, considering the financial stability it provided.

But, I knew it was necessary for my mental health.

Taking that leap into the unknown was scary as there were sleepless nights and moments of doubt, but I stayed firm in my decision.

And guess what? It turned out to be the best decision I could have made for myself!

Making tough decisions, especially ones that involve personal risk or sacrifice, requires a high level of mental resilience.

It’s about weighing your options and making a choice despite the fear and uncertainty.

3) You don’t let failure define you

Failure is a part of life—it’s unavoidable.

But what separates the mentally resilient from others is their ability to treat failure as a stepping stone, rather than a stumbling block.

In my book, The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness, I delve into this concept in detail.

I discuss how failure can either break us or make us, depending on how we choose to react to it.

Resilient individuals understand that failure is not a reflection of their worth.

Instead, they view it as an opportunity for growth and learning; they bounce back from failures quickly and use the lessons learned to improve themselves and their approach.

If you’re interested in learning more about this, do check out my book for a deeper exploration of mental toughness and resilience.

4) You’ve learned to deal with rejection

Back in college, I had my heart set on a particular internship.

I was sure it was going to be the stepping stone into my dream career—but when the rejection letter arrived, it felt like a punch to the gut.

Instead of letting the rejection derail me, however, I used it as fuel.

I sought feedback, improved my skills, and continued to apply for other opportunities.

It was a tough pill to swallow but it taught me that rejection is not the end of the road, but rather a detour to an even better destination.

Handling rejection is not easy as it requires mental strength and resilience to bounce back from the disappointment and continue pushing forward.

Facing rejection and managing to turn it into a learning experience or a motivation for improvement is a sign that you’re more mentally resilient than the average person.

5) You’re comfortable being alone

This may seem counter-intuitive, but being comfortable with your own company can actually be a sign of mental resilience.

It’s not about isolation or shunning social interactions, but about being content and at peace when you’re alone.

Sure, it’s easy to surround ourselves with people and distractions to avoid confronting our thoughts and emotions.

Yet, mentally resilient people understand the importance of solitude because they see it as a chance to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with themselves.

Being comfortable alone means you are self-reliant and capable of self-care—two key aspects of mental resilience.

6) You’ve mastered the art of adaptability

In this ever-changing world, adaptability is a critical skill.

It’s about adjusting to new situations and changes with ease and grace.

If you’ve experienced major changes in your life—be it shifting to a new city, changing careers, or navigating through a global pandemic—and managed to adapt and thrive, it’s a testament to your mental resilience.

Adaptability is not about merely surviving the change, but about embracing it, learning from it and growing with it.

It requires flexibility, open-mindedness, and yes, a lot of mental resilience.

7) You practice self-compassion regularly

Self-compassion is the cornerstone of mental resilience.

It’s about recognizing your own struggles, acknowledging your feelings, and treating yourself with kindness.

If you have a habit of practicing self-compassion, it indicates a high level of mental resilience.

It means that you don’t beat yourself up over mistakes or setbacks, but rather, you allow yourself to be human and make mistakes.

Self-compassion allows us to rebound from adversities faster, learn from our mistakes, and continue moving forward.

It’s the most important thing you should know about mental resilience.

Final thoughts: Resilience is a journey, not a destination

Resilience isn’t something you either have or don’t have.

It’s a skill, a journey of growth and self-discovery—involving learning from your experiences and bouncing back stronger each time.

These seven points we’ve discussed are not just signs of mental resilience, but also stepping stones on the path to building it.

In my book, The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness, I delve deeper into this journey of developing resilience; I uncover strategies, share personal stories, and offer practical advice on how to cultivate mental toughness.

Remember, every setback you’ve faced, every tough decision you’ve made, every rejection you’ve overcome has contributed to your mental resilience.

Take a moment to reflect on your journey so far and acknowledge the strength it took to overcome those challenges; celebrate your resilience and remember that each experience is shaping you into a stronger, more resilient individual.

Keep growing, keep learning, and remember—resilience is a journey, not a destination!

Lucas Graham

Lucas Graham, based in Auckland, writes about the psychology behind everyday decisions and life choices. His perspective is grounded in the belief that understanding oneself is the key to better decision-making. Lucas’s articles are a mix of personal anecdotes and observations, offering readers relatable and down-to-earth advice.

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