Growing up without much support is hard, but it can also teach you how to fend for yourself.

You learn to adapt, become resilient, and develop unique survival habits. And often, these traits can make you stronger than those who’ve had a more cushioned upbringing.

In this article, we’ll unveil the eight survival habits that people who have grown up with little support often possess. This isn’t about glorifying struggling, but celebrating the strength and resilience that can emerge from adversity.

Here’s a sneak peep into the world of those who’ve turned their trials into triumphs.

1) Independence is key

Growing up with little support often comes with its challenges. But one silver lining? It can nurture a sense of independence incredibly early on.

Imagine a child with limited adult guidance. They quickly learn to solve problems on their own without consistently looking to others for assistance.

While others might describe this as a hardship, it’s important not to overlook the benefits. This early exposure to problem-solving can lead to a lifelong habit of independence.

This doesn’t mean they shun help or never lean on others, they just have a tendency to put on their thinking cap first before asking for input. It’s a survival habit they’ve developed pertaining to their surrounding circumstances.

So when confronted with a challenge, those who grew up with little support are usually the first ones to roll up their sleeves and dive in. After all, they’ve had plenty of practice.

2) The art of resilience

Growing up without much support taught me to be resilient in ways I didn’t realize until later in life. It certainly wasn’t an overnight transformation, nor an easy one.

One of my earliest memories of this was when I was eleven, thrown into the wild world of middle school. One crisp autumn afternoon, I had come home from school to an empty house, very typical of my upbringing.

I shuffled through a sea of envelopes on the table, and amongst them was a notice for a parent-teacher meeting. No one was around to attend it on my behalf, so I decided to do something about it. I put on my bravest face and went to the meeting myself.

Yeah, you read that right. I sat amongst a sea of adults with trepidation in my heart, but a steely resolve. Thankfully, my teachers were understanding and supportive. They admired my courage, turning what could have been an embarrassing moment into a proud one for me.

In retrospect, this experience was a pivotal point of my life that showcased my resilience. It demonstrated a survival habit that’s common amongst those who grew up with little support. We learn how to bounce back, face challenges head-on, and turn obstacles into opportunities.

3) Mastering adaptability

Did you know the octopus, one of the ocean’s most intriguing creatures, has a unique survival ability? When faced with danger, it can change its color, shape, and even behavior to blend in with its environment. Now, that’s the ultimate display of adaptability!

Similar to the octopus, those who experience little support in their upbringing also learn to become highly adaptable. In uncertain circumstances, they learn to embrace change, rather than fear it.

They often become chameleons, able to seamlessly adjust to various situations, jobs, and socio-cultural environments. Once seen as a means to survive, adaptability can eventually become a valued asset in their personal and professional lives. It’s a testament to the age-old adage – ‘Change is the only constant’.

4) Embracing self-reliance

The concept of self-reliance isn’t foreign to those who grow up with little support. In fact, it often becomes a trusted ally.

They learn to rely on their own abilities to meet their needs instead of depending on others. Simple things like cooking a meal, managing finances, or fixing a broken faucet aren’t daunting tasks, but everyday realities.

This early responsibility fosters a can-do attitude, where they figure out ways around problems before seeking help. It’s not about carrying the world on their shoulders, rather, about trusting their own strengths and capabilities.

The beauty of self-reliance is its universality. It’s applicable in every walk of life, from personal to professional situations, making it a key survival habit of those who grew up with less support.

5) Cherishing relationships

When you grow up without much support, every connection you make becomes a treasured one.

Many of us who have experienced this understand the worth of a helping hand, a sympathetic ear or a genuine smile. It’s these connections that help us navigate life’s ups and downs and they end up meaning more to us than most people can imagine.

We learn very early on to not take the support of others for granted. Whether it’s a friend who becomes family, a teacher who imparts not just education, but real-world lessons, or a mentor who guides us – each and every relationship holds deep value.

Nurturing and cherishing these relationships becomes second nature to us. It isn’t really a survival instinct, it’s more a way of honouring the love and support we’ve received.

In remembering those who have stood by us, we learn to extend our own hands of support as well. It’s a beautiful cycle of give-and-take, learned in the wake of struggle, that is truly worth cherishing.

6) Valuing education

I distinctly remember, as a child, how much I clung to my books. They were my refuge, my escape and my hope. They introduced me to worldviews and possibilities I’d never considered.

Growing up without a wealth of support naturally bred in me a deep reverence for learning. I found that education wasn’t just about classrooms and textbooks, but about understanding the world and how it works.

I treated every opportunity to learn as a lifeline. Whether it was picking up practical skills or immersing myself in different topics, I yearned for knowledge. Education, in many ways, became my ticket to a world bigger than the one I was in.

Many who have grown up with little support share a similar sentiment about education. It’s viewed not just as a journey, but also as an empowering tool to navigate through life. This reverence for knowledge often remains with us, influencing our decisions and carving our paths.

7) Prioritizing self-care

What happens when you’re constantly having to worry about survival or making ends meet? It becomes very easy to put your own needs on the back burner.

Many people who lack support during childhood develop an extraordinarily strong work ethic. They push themselves hard, often overlooking the critical need for rest and rejuvenation.

But through experience and time, they learn that it’s essential to prioritize self-care. The realisation sets in that managing your own well-being is not a luxury, but a necessity.

They start acknowledging their limitations, taking time to relax, engaging in activities they love and looking after their physical, mental, and emotional health. This conscious nurturing of self becomes a vital survival habit, balancing out their hard work with much-needed care.

8) Harnessing strength from adversity

Here’s the crux of it all. Those who grow up with minimal support learn to draw strength from their adversities. It’s as if challenges become a whetstone, sharpening their fortitude and resilience with every encounter.

They don’t just ‘get by’. They transform the raw, scarring experiences into powerful life lessons, borrowing wisdom from each one. This adversity-derived strength often serves as their backbone, standing them in good stead throughout life.

So remember this – when life throws stones, they learn to build bridges. Not because they have to, but because they know they can. And that, dear reader, is courage at its finest.

The strength in struggle

Wrestling with life’s challenges shapes an individual in profound ways. And for those who grow up with little support, these struggles often etch survival habits that are unique, resilient, and beyond impressive.

Renowned author, Maya Angelou articulated this perfectly when she said, “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”

This sums up the ethos of these survival habits. From fostering independence to cherishing relationships, from valuing education to harnessing strength from adversity – it’s all a testament to human resilience.

These habits are born out of necessity, but over time, they evolve into powerful life skills. The transformative journey from struggling to thriving speaks not just to survival, but to an indomitable will and an unwavering spirit.

So, wherever you are on your own journey, remember – it’s not the adversity that defines you, but how you rise from it. And if you’re someone who grew up with little support, know that your experiences have woven a strength in you that’s more than just survival – it’s triumphant resilience.