You’ve been through the wringer, haven’t you?

Life’s handed you a whole mess of experiences that would have flattened most people but you’re still here, still standing. You’ve stared adversity in the face and said “not today”.

It’s not always a grand showdown with destiny. You’ve just found yourself in these situations, time and time again, that demand every ounce of strength and resilience you possess.

That nagging feeling you have, that you’re somehow tougher than the lot? It’s not just a feeling.

Here’s how to know for sure that if you’ve weathered these 8 situations and are still on your feet, you’re more mentally resilient than 98% of the population.

Buckle up, because we’re about to take a deep dive into the world of mental resilience, and you might just find out that you’re a lot stronger than you thought.

1) You’ve faced a major setback and bounced back

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Life throws a curveball and suddenly everything you’ve built seems to crumble around you. It could be a job loss, a failed project, a health issue, or even a heartbreak.

Most people would be knocked down by such a blow. But not you. You’ve been through this kind of storm and here you are, still standing.

This isn’t about shrugging it off or pretending it doesn’t hurt. It’s about feeling the pain, acknowledging the loss, and then picking yourself up and moving forward anyway.

That’s not just resilience, that’s superhuman strength. And if you’ve done this, give yourself a pat on the back because you’re stronger than 98% of people out there.

2) You’ve navigated through a personal crisis

When I was in my late twenties, I got divorced. Our marriage was short, but the fallout felt like it lasted a lifetime. The experience shook me to my core.

Yet, here I am – intact, thriving, and stronger than ever.

Personal crises like these don’t just test your mental resilience; they put it under a microscope and examine it from every angle. They strip away all your defenses and leave you raw and vulnerable.

You’re left with two choices – to stay down or get back up. And if you’ve experienced a personal crisis and chosen to get back up?

Then you’re tougher than most people. You’ve weathered the storm and come out the other side, stronger and more resilient. That’s not just commendable, it’s awe-inspiring.

3) You’ve grappled with failure and still dared to try again

Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This quote resonates with me because it speaks to the heart of resilience – the willingness to try again despite failure.

Failure is a part of life, and it’s a hard pill to swallow. We’ve all stumbled, fallen flat on our faces, made mistakes, and yes, failed. But the real test of mental resilience isn’t in the falling – it’s in the getting up and trying again.

If you’ve faced failure and still had the courage to dust yourself off and give it another shot, then my friend, you’re in the top echelon of mental resilience. It’s easy to quit when things get tough, but it takes a certain kind of strength to look failure in the eye and say, “I’m not done yet.”

And if you’ve done that? You’re stronger than 98% of people out there.

4) You’ve lived through a period of intense change and adjusted accordingly

Did you know that according to a study, human beings are hardwired to resist change? It’s true – our brains are designed to keep us safe and comfortable, which means they naturally resist anything that disrupts our status quo.

But life is all about change, isn’t it? Whether it’s moving to a new city, starting a new job, or even adjusting to a new way of life during a global pandemic, change is inevitable.

If you’ve lived through a period of intense change and have managed to adjust and adapt, then you’re doing something that goes against our very nature as human beings.

You’re not just surviving; you’re thriving in the face of adversity. And that makes you more mentally resilient than 98% of people out there.

5) You’ve faced your fears and come out the other side

It’s no secret that fear can be paralyzing. It can keep us stuck in place, unable to move forward. It’s one thing to feel fear – we all do – but it’s quite another to face it head on and push through it.

I’m talking about the kind of fears that make your heart race and your palms sweat. The kind of fears that keep you up at night, questioning everything.

If you’ve faced these kinds of fears and still managed to keep going, then you’re not just mentally resilient, you’re fearless.

Don’t underestimate the power of this. It’s a testament to your strength, your courage, and your unwavering determination. And that makes you stronger than 98% of people out there.

6) You’ve carried the weight of others’ expectations and still stayed true to yourself

We all know that feeling, don’t we? The pressure to live up to the expectations of others – parents, partners, employers, society. It’s a heavy weight to bear.

Yet, in the midst of all this noise and pressure, you’ve managed to stay true to yourself. You’ve navigated the tricky waters of external expectations while holding on to your own values, dreams, and identity.

That’s not easy. It takes a certain kind of mental resilience to resist the urge to conform and instead, choose authenticity.

If you’ve done this, then you’re not just mentally resilient, you’re a testament to the power of self-belief. And that makes you stronger than 98% of people out there.

7) You’ve experienced loss and found a way to keep going

Loss. It’s a word that carries so much weight. It could be the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or even a part of yourself. No matter the form, it’s an experience that changes you.

Yet, here you are. You’ve felt the profound pain of loss and still found a way to keep going. You’ve allowed yourself to grieve, to feel the depth of your sorrow, and then found the strength to move forward.

This is more than just resilience; it’s a testament to your indomitable spirit.

If you’ve done this, then you’re not just still standing, you’re soaring, and that makes you more mentally resilient than 98% of people out there.

8) You’ve endured the weight of your own self-doubt and still believed in yourself

Let’s face it, we are often our own worst critics. We doubt our abilities, question our worth, and limit our potential with negative self-talk.

Yet, despite the nagging voice of self-doubt, you’ve found a way to believe in yourself. You’ve experienced those moments of uncertainty and insecurity, and still chosen to trust your capabilities.

It takes an enormous amount of mental resilience to challenge your own self-doubt and to keep believing in yourself.

If you’ve been able to do this, then you’re not just mentally resilient, you’re a force to be reckoned with. And that makes you stronger than 98% of people out there.

The final takeaway

If you’ve found yourself relating to these points, it’s clear that you’ve been through some of life’s toughest trials and come out stronger on the other side. Your resilience is not just remarkable, it’s inspiring.

But here’s something crucial – your experiences don’t have to define you. They shape you, mold you, and make you stronger, but they’re not your entire story.

You are more than your hardships. You’re a survivor, a fighter, a beacon of resilience in a world that can often be tough and unforgiving.

When faced with adversity again – as life inevitably will bring – remember this: You’ve weathered storms before, and you’ll weather them again. You’re stronger than 98% of people out there.

And most importantly, know that your resilience is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It’s a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, we have the power to stand tall, dust ourselves off, and keep moving forward.

So here’s to you – to your strength, your courage, and your unwavering resilience. You’re not just still standing; you’re a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who know you.