Life’s no picnic. It throws curveballs at us, and sometimes, they hit hard. But if you’ve weathered these storms and come out stronger, you’re probably tougher than you think.
Going through certain experiences can forge our emotional resilience like a blacksmith shapes iron. These experiences don’t just shape us – they test us, and if we come out the other side, we’re stronger for it.
This article is about recognizing those experiences and acknowledging our emotional strength.
If you’ve experienced these 9 things in life, let me tell you – you’re emotionally tougher than the average person.
Let’s get started.
1) You’ve experienced significant loss
Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us, and sometimes, those curveballs come in the form of significant loss. This could be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, or even the loss of a cherished dream.
Experiencing loss can be gut-wrenching and heart-breaking. But if you’ve gone through it, picked yourself up, and continued moving forward, it’s a testament to your emotional strength.
Loss has a way of making us reevaluate everything. It forces us to confront our deepest fears, our most profound sadness. And coming out on the other side of that – still standing, still fighting – shows an emotional toughness that’s far beyond average.
If you’ve experienced significant loss, and you’re still here, still pushing forward – give yourself some credit. You’re emotionally tougher than you might think.
2) You’ve faced serious health challenges
Health is something many of us take for granted, until it’s compromised. I know firsthand how a serious health issue can shake your world to its core.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. It was as if the rug was pulled out from under my feet. Suddenly, everything that I had planned, everything that I thought was certain, became a question mark.
But as I navigated medical appointments, treatments, and the rollercoaster of emotions that came with it, I realized something important – I was tougher than I thought. Each challenge I faced and overcame made me more resilient. Every setback that I bounced back from proved my emotional strength.
Facing a serious health challenge is not easy. But if you’ve been through it and managed to keep going despite the odds, you’re emotionally stronger than you realize.
3) You’ve survived financial hardship
When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it can feel like you’re constantly trying to keep your head above water.
Financial hardship can bring about a myriad of emotions – stress, anxiety, fear. It can feel like a heavy weight that’s always present, always pressing down.
Dealing with financial hurdles requires patience, determination, and emotional strength.
The pressure of figuring out how to make ends meet can be crushing, but if you’ve been through it and come out the other side, it’s a testament to your emotional toughness.
4) You’ve encountered failure
Failure. It’s a word that’s often loaded with negative connotations. But experiencing failure – and learning how to bounce back from it – can be one of the most emotionally strengthening experiences in life.
We’ve all encountered failures, big and small. Maybe it was not getting that job you really wanted. Or perhaps it was a failed relationship or a project that didn’t pan out the way you’d hoped.
But if you’ve encountered failure, picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and kept going – you’ve got emotional toughness in spades.
Bouncing back from failure requires resilience, perseverance, and a whole lot of emotional strength.
5) You’ve been through a tough breakup
Love can be beautiful, but it can also be messy and complicated. A tough breakup can feel like your world is crashing down around you. The person you thought you’d be with forever is suddenly out of your life.
Going through a tough breakup requires not only emotional strength but also the ability to let go and move on. It’s about facing the pain, the heartbreak, and ultimately learning to heal.
If you’ve been through a tough breakup and managed to pick up the pieces and rebuild your life, that’s a clear sign of emotional toughness. It shows you’re capable of weathering emotional storms and coming out stronger on the other side.
6) You’ve witnessed the suffering of a loved one
There’s a unique kind of pain that comes from watching someone you love suffer. Whether it’s due to illness, addiction, or any other form of hardship, it’s a heart-wrenching experience that can leave you feeling helpless and emotionally drained.
Being there for a loved one during their darkest hours requires immense emotional strength. It’s about offering your unwavering support and love, even when the situation seems bleak.
If you’ve been in this situation, and managed to provide comfort and support to your loved one while also taking care of your own emotional wellbeing, that’s no small feat. It speaks volumes about your emotional resilience.
Witnessing the suffering of a loved one is an incredibly tough experience. But if you’ve been through it and come out stronger, know this – you’re emotionally tougher than the average person.
7) You’ve faced rejection
Rejection stings, there’s no two ways about it. Whether it’s from a job, a friend, or a romantic interest, it can make you question your worth and bring on feelings of inadequacy.
I remember once applying for a job that I was extremely passionate about. I was certain I was the perfect fit and thought I nailed the interview. But then, the rejection letter came. It hit me hard, and for a while, it knocked my confidence.
But looking back now, I see how that rejection helped shape me. It made me take a hard look at myself, my skills, and where I could improve. It also taught me that rejection is not the end of the world – it’s just a part of life.
If you’ve faced rejection and managed to rise above it, that’s proof of your emotional toughness. It shows that you can handle disappointment and keep going, which is far more than what the average person can do.
8) You’ve made tough decisions
Life is full of decisions, and some of them can be incredibly tough to make. Whether it’s deciding to end a long-term relationship, moving to a new city, or changing career paths, these decisions can cause a whirlwind of emotions.
Making tough decisions requires courage, determination, and emotional toughness. It’s about weighing the pros and cons, trusting your instincts, and ultimately taking that leap of faith.
If you’ve made tough decisions in your life and stood by them, irrespective of the outcome, that’s a clear sign of emotional toughness. It means you’re not afraid to take charge of your life and make the choices that are right for you – even when they’re not easy. So pat yourself on the back – you’re emotionally tougher than most people.
9) You’ve found the strength to forgive
Forgiveness is one of the most challenging things to offer, especially when you’ve been deeply hurt. It requires a level of emotional maturity and resilience that goes beyond the norm.
Forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting what they did or condoning their actions. It’s about releasing the burden of anger and resentment that’s weighing you down.
If you’ve found the strength to forgive, even when it seemed impossible, that’s perhaps the most significant sign of emotional toughness. It shows you have the ability to heal and move forward, demonstrating an emotional strength that’s truly commendable.
