Life can be tough, but so can we. I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a student of mindfulness and Buddhism. I’ve come to understand that there are certain life experiences that can make us stronger, more resilient, and mentally tougher than the average person.
In this article, we’ll delve into ten of these experiences. If you’ve weathered these storms, then trust me, you’re one hardy individual. You’ve got a mental toughness that’s a cut above the rest.
This isn’t about bragging rights or superiority. It’s about acknowledging your strength, celebrating your resilience, and using that knowledge to continue growing and thriving.
Let’s get started.
1) You’ve faced significant adversity
Life is full of challenges and hardships. But it’s how we respond to these trials that truly defines us.
If you’ve faced significant adversity in your life, it’s likely that you’ve been forced to develop a certain level of mental toughness just to get through it. Whether it was a serious health issue, a financial struggle, or a heartbreaking personal loss, these experiences tend to push us to our limits.
But here’s the thing about adversity—it’s also a fantastic teacher. It forces us to confront our fears, to adapt, and to grow in ways we never thought possible.
From a mindfulness perspective, facing adversity can be considered an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. It teaches us to be present with our pain, to acknowledge our emotions without judgment, and to cultivate resilience and compassion.
2) You’ve managed to stay calm in the storm
In my journey through mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve learned that one of the greatest indicators of mental toughness is the ability to remain calm in the midst of chaos.
Life often throws curveballs our way, and it’s not uncommon to find ourselves in situations that are stressful, overwhelming, or downright frightening. Yet, if you’ve managed to keep your cool during these times, it’s a clear sign of your mental strength.
When everything around you is in turmoil, staying calm allows you to think clearly, make rational decisions, and navigate through the chaos effectively. This ability doesn’t come easy; it’s a testament to your resilience and grit.
3) You’ve learned to let go
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned, both in my personal life and in my studies of mindfulness and Buddhism, is the art of letting go.
Life has a way of clinging onto us— past regrets, future anxieties, failed relationships, missed opportunities. If you’ve mastered the ability to release these burdens, it’s a surefire sign of your mental toughness.
Letting go requires courage. It means facing your fears, accepting the reality, and making peace with it. It’s about understanding that some things are beyond our control, and that’s perfectly okay.
We often hold onto things because we fear change or the unknown. But as I’ve learned, growth often lies just beyond our comfort zones.
4) You’ve experienced failure and bounced back
Who hasn’t tasted the bitter pill of failure? But it’s not the failure itself that shapes us—it’s how we respond to it.
If you’ve experienced significant failure and have managed to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on the horse, then you have a level of mental toughness that sets you apart from the crowd.
As the great inventor Thomas Edison once said: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Failure is nothing more than a stepping stone on the path to success. It’s an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to become better.
You see, it’s easy to feel upbeat and confident when things are going your way. But true strength lies in your ability to stay positive and keep going when things don’t go as planned.
5) You’ve chosen happiness amidst the chaos
One thing I’ve learned on my mindfulness journey, and from building Hack Spirit, is that happiness is a choice. Sounds cliché, I know. But hear me out.
Life is chaotic, unpredictable and yes, messy. If you’ve managed to consistently choose happiness amidst this tumult, you’ve got a level of mental toughness that’s truly admirable.
Choosing happiness doesn’t mean ignoring life’s challenges or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about finding joy in the simple things, cultivating gratitude, and striving for inner peace amidst life’s storms.
If you’re looking to build a happier life in our often messy world, I highly recommend checking out Life Transition Coach Jeanette Brown’s book, A Toolkit for Building a Happier Life in a Messy World. It’s an excellent resource packed with practical tips and insights.
6) You’ve learned to say no
Saying “no” is simple in theory, but it can be incredibly challenging in practice. If you’ve mastered the art of saying “no” when necessary, you possess a level of mental toughness that many people struggle to achieve.
Saying “no” requires courage and self-respect. It means standing up for yourself and your values. It means prioritizing your time and energy for what really matters to you.
It’s easy to get caught up in the habit of people-pleasing or overcommitting ourselves. But learning to say “no” is an essential part of self-care and mental well-being.
7) You’ve practiced mindfulness in difficult times
Mindfulness is a tool I’ve come to deeply appreciate in my journey. It’s not just about meditating or focusing on the present—it’s about embracing our experiences, good and bad, with an open and non-judgmental attitude.
If you’ve been able to apply mindfulness during life’s difficult moments, it’s a testament to your mental toughness. It means you’ve learned to sit with discomfort, to face your fears, and to accept life as it is, not as you wish it to be.
Practicing mindfulness in tough times allows us to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. It helps us to cultivate inner peace and resilience, and it deepens our understanding of ourselves.
8) You’ve embraced change
Change is a constant in life. But as humans, we often resist it because it pushes us out of our comfort zone and into the unknown.
If you’ve not only accepted but embraced change in your life, it’s a clear indication of your mental toughness.
As the renowned British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said: “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Embracing change means you’re open to learning, growing, and improving. It means you’re adaptable and flexible in the face of uncertainty.
Change can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity for personal growth and new experiences.
9) You’ve asked for help when needed
Now, this might seem counterintuitive. Often, we associate mental toughness with a “go it alone” attitude. But in my experience, both personally and through founding Hack Spirit, asking for help when you need it is a true sign of mental strength.
It takes courage to admit our vulnerabilities and to reach out to others. It requires humility to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers and that we can benefit from others’ wisdom and experience.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re wise enough to recognize your limitations and strong enough to overcome them. It’s about understanding that we’re all connected, that it’s okay to lean on others, just as they lean on us.
10) You’ve maintained a positive outlook
Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Yet, if you’ve managed to maintain a positive outlook even during the difficult times, it’s a clear sign of your mental toughness.
Keeping positive doesn’t mean ignoring the negative or pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about focusing on the good, being optimistic about the future, and believing in your ability to overcome obstacles.
A positive outlook gives us the strength to keep going, even when times are tough. It boosts our resilience, our determination, and our ability to bounce back from setbacks.
Conclusion
Mental toughness isn’t about being impervious to pain or adversity. It’s about how we respond to life’s challenges, how we grow from them, and how we continue to strive for happiness and peace amidst the chaos.
If you’ve experienced these ten things in life, there’s no doubt about it—you’re mentally tougher than the average person. You’ve faced adversity, embraced change, cultivated mindfulness, and chosen happiness in a world that can often be messy.
Your mental toughness is a testament to your resilience and your strength of character. It’s a tool you can continue to sharpen and use to build a happier life.
For those seeking practical guidance on building such a life, I highly recommend A Toolkit for Building a Happier Life in a Messy World by Life Transition Coach Jeanette Brown.
Keep fostering resilience, practicing mindfulness, and choosing happiness—you’re tougher than you think!
