Ever heard the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?” It’s more than just a catchy phrase – it actually holds some truth.

Life, with all its ups and downs, has a knack for throwing curveballs that can either break us or make us more resilient.

This resilience, this mental strength – it’s not something that you either have or you don’t. It’s often forged in the crucible of life’s trials and tribulations.

If you’ve been through some rough patches, don’t be too hard on yourself. You might be mentally stronger than you give yourself credit for.

In fact, there are certain experiences that, although difficult at the time, can be indicators of mental fortitude.

Ready to find out what they are?

In this article, we’re going to explore seven life experiences that suggest you have more mental strength than you think. None of these experiences are necessarily enjoyable, but each one has the potential to build resilience.

Let’s dive in and uncover these less-obvious signs of mental strength. Who knows? You might just come out of this read realizing that you’re a lot tougher than you imagined.

1) You’ve navigated through failure

Failure, though difficult to swallow, is a part of life.

No one enjoys failing – it’s uncomfortable, it’s bruising to our ego, but it’s also an incredible teacher.

If you’ve experienced failure and, more importantly, managed to pick yourself up again, that’s a clear sign of mental strength.

You see, it’s easy to ride the wave when everything is going smoothly, but the real test of mental fortitude comes when things don’t go as planned.

Dealing with failure requires resilience. It means having the capacity to keep going, to learn from your mistakes, and not let them define you.

It’s about understanding that failure is not the end of the road but a detour on the path to success.

If this resonates with you, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re stronger than you think.

2) You’ve survived heartbreak

Heartbreak is tough. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that can leave you feeling empty and lost.

Speaking from personal experience, I remember the first time I went through a significant breakup. The pain was visceral, it felt like my world was collapsing around me.

But here’s the thing.

Despite the pain, I picked myself up. I pushed through the heartache and came out the other side a stronger person.

I learned a lot about myself during that period – what I valued in a relationship, what I needed for my own happiness, and how capable I was of standing on my own two feet.

Experiencing heartbreak and coming through it demonstrates an incredible amount of mental strength. It shows that you can face intense emotional distress and still move forward.

If you’ve gone through something similar, remember – it didn’t break you, it built you. You’re mentally stronger than you may believe.

3) You’ve faced your fears

Fears, they’re our personal demons that we often prefer to keep hidden in the shadows.

I’m not talking about the fear of spiders or heights. I’m referring to those deep, gut-wrenching fears that can paralyze us – fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being alone.

Facing these fears, staring them down and choosing to act despite them – this is no small feat. It takes a level of courage and mental strength that many don’t realize they possess.

For example, you might have been terrified of public speaking, but you took on a role that required it.

The first few times, your voice may have trembled, your palms sweated. But you did it. And you continued to do it until that fear no longer controlled you.

That’s mental strength. You took control over your fear instead of letting it control you.

If you’ve faced your fears, no matter how small they might seem now, recognize the mental strength it took to do so. You’re stronger than you think.

4) You’ve endured loss

Loss is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier to bear.

Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the end of a long-standing friendship, or even the loss of a cherished dream, these experiences can leave us feeling shattered.

Yet here you are. You faced the loss, you felt the pain and grief, and you’re still standing.

Enduring loss requires an immense amount of mental strength. It involves accepting the reality of the situation, allowing yourself to feel the pain, and then finding a way to move forward.

If you’ve been through this, you have demonstrated a resilience that is not to be underestimated. It’s proof that no matter how tough things get, you have the strength to keep going.

5) You’ve challenged the status quo

Stepping outside the norm and challenging the status quo isn’t always popular. It can invite criticism, judgment, and even isolation.

Individuals who challenge conventional wisdom often demonstrate higher levels of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

If you’ve dared to question established norms or practices, if you’ve stood up for what you believe in despite opposition, you’ve showcased not only courage but also mental strength.

Going against the grain requires a firm belief in oneself and the mental fortitude to withstand potential backlash.

If you’ve ever found yourself swimming upstream against popular opinion or societal expectations, recognize the strength it took to do so. You’re mentally stronger than you might give yourself credit for.

6) You’ve shown empathy in difficult situations

Empathy is often misunderstood. Some see it as a weakness, as it involves opening yourself up to the feelings and experiences of others. But let me tell you – empathy requires immense mental strength.

It’s easy to react with anger or indifference when someone hurts us. It’s much harder to put yourself in their shoes, to extend understanding and compassion even when it’s undeserved.

Perhaps you’ve been in a situation where you could have easily lashed out or walked away, but instead, you chose to empathize. You chose to understand where the other person was coming from, even if you didn’t agree with them.

That’s not weakness. That’s strength.

It takes a strong person to show kindness when it’s easier to show anger. So, if you’ve done this, don’t underestimate your mental fortitude. You’re stronger than you may realize.

7) You’ve persevered in the face of adversity

When life gets tough, it’s tempting to throw in the towel. To give up. To let the wave of adversity wash over us and surrender to its force.

But if you’re here, reading this, chances are you didn’t. You faced the storm head-on. No matter how fierce the winds or how high the waves, you kept going.

Perseverance is perhaps the most evident sign of mental strength. It’s about having the tenacity to keep moving forward, even when every fiber of your being is screaming at you to stop.

If you’ve persevered in the face of adversity, then let me tell you – you are mentally stronger than you think.

The journey may have been hard, and it may have left scars, but it also left you with an inner strength that can weather any storm.

Final thoughts

If you’ve found yourself nodding along to these examples, take a moment to acknowledge your mental strength.

You see, mental fortitude isn’t about never experiencing hardships, it’s about how we respond to them. It’s about getting knocked down seven times and standing up eight.

Remember, it’s not the smooth seas that make skillful sailors, but the turbulent waters.

Each challenge you’ve faced has equipped you with a unique set of skills and resilience. So don’t underestimate the strength within you.

And if you’re currently going through tough times, remember this – it’s often in our darkest hours that we discover our true strength.

Take a moment to reflect on the challenges you’ve overcome and the resilience you’ve shown. You are stronger than you think.

Life is a journey of growth and self-discovery, and every experience, good or bad, contributes to shaping who we are. So embrace your journey, celebrate your strengths, and remember – you are stronger than you think.