Adrian Volenik
Sooner or later, life punches you in the face. That’s why it’s important to find the inner strength and keep going, even when things feel overwhelming.
The reality is that not everyone is able to do that. In fact, most people crumble like a house of cards when faced with life’s numerous challenges.
That’s why it’s important to learn from those who are capable of staying strong. So, in this article, we’re exploring the unique traits of people who remain strong when life gets hard and what we can learn from them.
1) They keep a positive outlook even in difficult situations
Think of any number of bad situations that you found yourself in. Now, think of what you did in those moments.
Did you freak out? Were you nervous, anxious, and couldn’t sleep for days? Or were you calm and collected and solved the issue in no time?
Optimistic people see the glass as half full instead of half empty. They’re the ones who find a silver lining in every cloud.
For example, if plans fall through, they say, “Well, at least we have more time to spend together.” Or something in that sense.
And that mindset helps them stay strong and overcome troubles in life.
2) They trust themselves
When people stay strong during tough times, one of the unique traits they often have is trusting themselves.
You see, self-confident people believe in their abilities to handle challenges effectively.
Think of a free solo rock climber scaling a cliff. They have faith in their skills and judgment, even when the path ahead looks terrifying.
Self-confidence helps us go through uncertainty and overcome self-doubt.
But trusting yourself also means being honest and authentic with yourself. You simply must acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, accept yourself for who you are, and embrace both the light and dark aspects of your being.
3) They bounce back from setbacks and challenges
Imagine someone who loses their job unexpectedly. Instead of despairing or giving up, they pick themselves up and start looking for new opportunities.
They don’t lose time and update their resume, reach out to contacts, and explore different career paths.
Even though they feel disappointed or uncertain about the future, they refuse to let this terrible situation define them.
Resilient people simply see this setback (that would devastate most people) as an opportunity to explore new career paths.
They’re also smart enough to draw conclusions from what happened to them so they can improve in the future. In short, they have grit.
4) They keep pushing forward, even when faced with obstacles
Grit is like having a never-give-up attitude. It’s the determination to pursue long-term goals despite all the bad things happening along the way.
Just think of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for his activism in South Africa.
Despite the harsh conditions and long years of imprisonment, he stayed dedicated to his commitment to bringing freedom and equality to everyone.
Mandela’s resilience and unwavering dedication to his cause inspired people around the world. It still does.
Ultimately, pushing forward is a mindset – a refusal to succumb to despair or resignation.
5) They confront their fears and take action despite them
Fearing things and even other people is perfectly normal. For example, many people have a fear of public speaking and giving interviews.
Even the celebrities you see on TV have or had this often debilitating fear. But the ones who are determined and who stay strong overcome this hefty fear and do things in spite of it.
They often start with small steps like giving a presentation at work, delivering a speech at a wedding, or speaking up in a classroom. Only later do they go on to do TV interviews and speak in front of hundreds of people.
It’s like jumping into the deep end of the pool even though you’re not the best swimmer or going on a roller coaster even though you’re terrified of heights.
They embrace the challenge and prove to themselves that they’re stronger than they think. They don’t hide from the reality but welcome it.
6) They acknowledge reality and work with what they have
Imagine you’re dealt a hand in a card game, and it’s not the best hand you could have hoped for.
Accepting reality is like looking at those cards and admitting, “Okay, this isn’t the ideal hand I wanted, but it’s what I’ve got to work with.”
Then, instead of getting frustrated or wishing for a better hand, you focus on making smart moves with the cards you have.
Let’s give another example:
You’re facing a tight budget or financial difficulties. If you’re smart, you’ll recognize that money is tight, and you need to tighten your belt for a while.
But instead of feeling defeated, you look for ways to cut expenses, maybe cook at home more often, or find creative ways to make extra income.
Strong people are resourceful and adaptable, and make the most of what they’ve got, even when things aren’t ideal.
7) They find creative solutions to problems
What is creative thinking? It’s thinking outside the box, right? People who stay strong during tough times find creative solutions to problems.
Instead of getting stuck in a rut or feeling defeated by challenges, they roll up their sleeves and get creative.
They’re always ready to try new things and approach challenges with curiosity and adventure.
Not knowing exactly how things will turn out is a good thing to them. They’re excited to see where the journey takes them, and they take on every problem as is:
They don’t overthink but apply their vast knowledge to come up with new solutions – creative ones.
8) They’re flexible and able to adjust to changing circumstances
Life is full of surprises, and adaptable people roll with the punches. They can handle surprises and setbacks without getting too stressed or frustrated.
For instance, if your car breaks down on the way to an important appointment, you just might freak out, right?
But someone who stays relentless will calmly figure out a solution, like calling a friend for a ride or rescheduling the appointment for another time.
Their mind is flexible enough to think of solutions on the spot and adapt to a surprising situation.
And let’s face it, things like the one above can happen at any time, right? If you’re not ready to deal with it, you’ll be much worse off.
9) They have a sense of meaning and direction in their lives
And finally, to stay strong when sh*t hits the fan, you need to know what’s important to you and where you’re headed.
For people who stay strong during hard times, having a clear sense of purpose gives them a reason to keep going.
When challenges arise, having that sense of meaning and direction can be like a light in the darkness.
So, think about it. What’s your meaning? Is it spending time with loved ones, pursuing your dreams, making a difference in the world, or simply finding joy in everyday moments?
It could be all of the above, but you really need to work it out in your head. Find what keeps you grounded, motivated, and resilient, no matter what comes your way.
Final thoughts
Staying strong takes a special kind of mindset. Unfortunately, if you haven’t gone through something serious in your life, you might not have this relentless spirit.
You may think you’re capable of doing brave things, but everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.
Literally and figuratively.
You may believe you’d jump into a deep river to save someone, but until you’re tested, you’ll never really know.
