Kiran Athar
If there’s one thing that saddens me, it’s seeing a woman who doesn’t realize just how strong and powerful she is.
There’s so much potential to be tapped into, but unfortunately, many women don’t realize how resilient they are – until it’s pointed out to them!
So, if you’ve got doubts that you’re a strong woman, or perhaps you want to forward this article to someone who doesn’t realize it yet, read on.
Here are 12 signs you’re a stronger woman than you think:
1) You have a resilient mindset
Mind over matter.
Women face a lot of hardships in life. From society and family pressures to having kids and going through menopause, it never seems to end!
But if you are the type of woman who goes through a rough patch but works towards making it through to the other side, there’s a good chance you’re much stronger than you realize!
After all, it’s our mindset that determines how we deal with difficult situations – if you’ve got that down, good on you!
It shows you’re able to handle whatever life throws at you and bounce back…including when it comes to dealing with other people…
2) You don’t take crap from other people
In other words, you have strong boundaries.
If you’re someone who knows what she will and won’t tolerate from other people, you’re definitely a stronger woman than you think!
Let me explain why:
Many people struggle to enforce healthy boundaries. This can be as simple as saying “no” to working overtime or as difficult as standing up for yourself against a toxic family member.
And when it comes to women in particular?
Well, unfortunately, we’re still grappling with backward attitudes at times – women should be seen not heard, remember that one?
So, if you’re able to stand up for yourself and reject other people’s B.S., you’re doing it right (not to mention sticking two fingers up to the (toxic) patriarchy while you’re at it!).
3) You prioritize yourself
Now, if you have strong boundaries, it’s because you have a little something called self-respect.
If you also:
- Practice self-care and self-love
- Invest in your current and future self
- Look after your mind, body, and emotions
- Put your well-being first
There’s no doubt in my mind you’re a stronger woman than you think!
So many women neglect themselves because life gets in the way; they’re working, looking after kids, and tending to a husband.
And you might have all those factors going on too – but if you still make time for yourself and your well-being, it shows you have your priorities right!
4) You embrace change
Change; it happens whether we like it or not.
But going back to the first point I mentioned (having a resilient mindset), if you embrace change instead of digging your heels in, it’s a good indicator you’re a strong woman.
Why?
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” — Charles Darwin
Even if you’re not physically the strongest, your resilient mindset makes up for it!
You see, whether you find yourself needing to change careers, moving on from a relationship, or dealing with loss, your approach is what makes you strong.
Not to mention, you see the value in change; with it comes new opportunities and a chance to explore your capabilities!
5) You have a positive outlook on life
Are you more of a glass-half-full or half-empty type of woman?
If it’s the former, you’re right on track!
Having a positive outlook on life means you tend to take a more optimistic approach. You don’t let little things get you down; you focus on the big picture.
Equally, you’re able to recognize that having a positive attitude actually makes life a lot easier.
When you stop focussing on the negatives, you’re able to see how much good there is in life!
If this sounds like you, don’t doubt for a second that you’re stronger than you think. Especially because in today’s world, it takes a strong person to stay positive!
6) You know your strengths and weaknesses
The truth is, many people do recognize their strengths, but they often overlook or ignore their weaknesses.
But here’s the thing:
If you aren’t able to acknowledge your shortcomings, how can you improve on them?
So, if you’re a woman who knows who she is, the good and the bad, that’s a good start.
But if you’re a woman who knows her weaknesses and ACTIVELY works on them – honey, you’ve earned a seat at the strong women’s table!
Not only does this take a considerable amount of inner work, but it forces you to be honest with yourself and others.
And that isn’t an easy feat by any means!
7) You speak your mind
Are you unafraid to share your opinions?
Are you assertive and bold when dealing with other people?
Whether it’s at home or at work, if you speak your mind, you’re a stronger woman than you realize, and for good reason!
You see, a woman who makes her voice heard shows that she values her input.
She knows her worth.
And even if other people don’t realize it, deep down they respect you for it! The truth is, it’s not always easy to speak up.
But the more you do it, the more your confidence and self-esteem grow. Not to mention, you give the green light to other women to do the same! This leads me nicely to my next point:
8) You uplift others
Maybe you haven’t realized it, but if you:
- Encourage others to follow their dreams
- Support people during hardship
- Celebrate other people’s successes
You’re a pretty strong woman!
But that’s not all…
Some women are strong, but not necessarily empathetic or kind. If you do the above, you’re a strong woman who also values helping others.
It’s like a positive double whammy!
You probably don’t even know the extent to which you’ve helped others, but trust me, you’ve made a difference in the world, something only the strongest of characters can do!
9) You choose your friends wisely
In my last point, we spoke about the importance of helping others, but there’s something strong people do before they get caught up in helping every Tom, Dick, and Harry that comes along…
They select their friends wisely.
The truth is, our friends have an incredibly huge impact on our lives. They can influence you positively or negatively. They are the ones who you turn to in your best and darkest moments.
So if you don’t allow energy vampires, toxic friends, or people who take advantage of you into your life, it’s a surefire sign you’re a strong woman!
Whether you consciously or subconsciously made this decision, something deep inside you knows that to get through life, you need genuine, good people in your circle.
This is something most people learn the hard way!
But even when you’re not out socializing…
10) You’re comfortable with your own company
That’s right, if you’re happy being alone and actually enjoy your own company, you’re not just a strong woman, you’re a complete badass!
And I say that seriously.
Sadly, many people can’t stand to be alone with themselves; they’re running from their own thoughts and limitations.
So it takes a really strong person to be able to sit with yourself and see the value in being alone from time to time!
Some of the strongest women I know are the ones who left marriages and started new lives on their own. People would often question if they felt lonely or scared without a man around, but these women valued their peace and independence more than anything!
11) You push your limits
And since you’re the type of person who isn’t scared to be with their own company, it’s likely that you’re also up for pushing your limits.
If you:
- Challenge yourself to try new things
- Go for opportunities when they present themselves
- Actively try to tackle your fears
And push yourself out of your comfort zone, my friend, you’re much stronger than most of the population!
Why?
Because comfortability is a trap too many people fall into.
It takes real guts to face your fears and step out of your comfort zone!
So if this is you, well done. You’re not only investing in yourself by adopting this mindset but you’re also paving the way for other women to do the same!
12) You take responsibility for yourself
There are no two ways about this point:
If you take responsibility for yourself, you’re more likely to reflect and adapt your behavior to be a better person.
If you’re someone who palms the responsibility onto others, you’re likely to adopt a victim mindsight and never truly progress as a person.
Which category do you fall into?
If it’s the first, well, there’s no denying you’re stronger than you realize! You see, taking accountability and responsibility for yourself isn’t always easy.
No one enjoys putting their hands up and saying, “I messed up.”
And whilst it’s uncomfortable, it’s so very essential if you want to grow as a person!
So if you’re able to do this, kudos to you. Not only are you a strong woman, but you’re also pretty wise!
We’ve now covered 12 signs you’re a stronger woman than you think…I hope this article has shed light on the many resilient and powerful qualities you possess. Let’s make self-doubt something of the past – you’ve got this!
