In a world where emotions often dictate our actions and digital evolution has exposed our lives beyond our close circle of friends and family, we frequently find ourselves buried under a mountain of complications that begin to take a toll on our mental health. What’s more, not everyone is fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who contribute to their emotional strength. Something as natural as having an opinion often comes at a price—the risk of being judged or confronted. It’s difficult to accept that not all your thoughts will be respected or understood, and that learning to live with that is part of emotional growth.
As a child, you might have been told that crying over small things was a sign of weakness. But as you grew older and realized that some emotions are too overwhelming to suppress, you came to understand that it’s perfectly okay to express how you feel every now and then.
Here’s your guide to becoming mentally stronger each day—and to remind yourself that you are much more than just someone who experiences a wide range of emotions.
1. They Do Not Feel Sorry for Themselves
The more you pity yourself, the more it becomes an excuse to avoid your problems. Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates this. There’s a man who works as a gardener for many houses in my locality, including one of my neighbors, and he has been doing so for years. Recently, I discovered that he has a hearing disability, which shocked me because I had no idea.
Despite his condition, he is one of the hardest-working members of our society’s maintenance team. The fact that he never let his disability become an excuse for self-pity was truly inspiring. People like him give us a reason to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and instead celebrate the small blessings life offers.
2. They Don’t Give Away Their Power to Others
You are an individual, and if you want to avoid being dominated by others, you need to build your own authority. When you let someone control or influence your decisions, you give away your power, which weakens you mentally. Don’t let anyone dictate your actions because how they treat you should be based on how you want to be treated.
3. They Are Patient and Don’t Expect Immediate Results
Expectations can hurt, especially when they go unmet. “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” It takes countless attempts before a child takes their first step. Don’t give up after a single failure. Patience is a true measure of mental strength, while impatience only weakens it. Every successful person—from Albert Einstein to Leonardo DiCaprio to Steven Spielberg—faced struggles before leaving a lasting impact on the world. Patience is the foundation of your mental strength.
4. They Understand That the World Doesn’t Owe Them Anything
If you’re always seeking recognition for everything you do for others, it’s time to reassess your approach. Recognition is important, but you must accept that not everyone will appreciate your efforts. If you’ve been there for someone during their tough times and they didn’t value your support, that’s simply life showing you that the world doesn’t owe you anything. Ultimately, you are the only one who truly needs you, and it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself first.
5. They Never Fear Alone Time
Spending time alone can help you build mental strength. It gives you the opportunity to understand yourself better. That doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself completely, but alone time is a valuable asset. Recognize its importance and use it wisely.
6. They Consider Regret Their Biggest Enemy
Regret is like slow poison. We all make mistakes, but dwelling on them doesn’t help. Once a mistake is made, it’s important to acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on. Regret, whether from fights, breakups, or business losses, will test your mental strength. It’s up to you to accept it and keep moving forward.
7. They Never Resent Other People’s Success and Never Make It Their Benchmark
Jealousy can lead to mistakes that cannot be undone. It drains your happiness and fosters resentment. Don’t let someone else’s success become your benchmark. It might push you to work harder, but it won’t make you happy. Instead, focus on your own journey and strive to be an inspiration to others.
8. They Don’t Dwell on the Past
Don’t let the past consume you. The present moment is what truly matters. Believe that you are stronger today than you were yesterday, and remember that the past has shaped your present, not defined it.
9. They Don’t Try to Please Anyone
Being a people-pleaser may bring short-term rewards, like an invite to a party or extra points at work, but it will ultimately lower your self-esteem. You don’t need to please anyone. Respect yourself, and others will respect you in return. No promotion or accolade is worth sacrificing your self-respect.
10. They Consider Change Their Ticket to Success – They Embrace It, Not Fear It
I spent 15 years of my childhood in a very small house. When my family moved to a larger one, I struggled to adapt. Having grown up in the same school and neighborhood, I missed the memories tied to the old place. However, that phase opened my eyes to the fact that change, though difficult, is often for the better. It helped me adjust when I later moved to a new city for higher education. Change is a part of life and a key to success.
I’m not the perfect person who possesses immense mental strength and can overcome everything that comes her way. I’m just a girl who often feels like giving up when things don’t seem to work out. It takes immense support and belief to keep going in life. But that’s exactly what adds to the spice, isn’t it?