If you’ve experienced these 7 things in life, you’re stronger than 99% of people
Life’s journey isn’t all sunshine and rainbows; it’s more like a rollercoaster ride with its fair share of twists and turns.
But you know what they say: what doesn’t break you makes you stronger—and truer words were never spoken.
There are certain life experiences that act as crucibles, forging you into a person of extraordinary resilience and fortitude.
They’re not always pleasant, but they’re essential for your growth and development.
In this article, we’ll explore those experiences—the ones that set you apart from the crowd and make you part of the elite one percent in terms of strength and resilience.
Without much further ado, let’s dive right in.
1) Life’s toughest battles
We’ve all heard that old adage, “God gives the toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.” And you know what?
There’s a nugget of truth in those words.
If you’ve weathered significant hardships in your life—whether it’s grappling with a serious illness, grieving the loss of a loved one, or triumphing over addiction—then you’ve stared down one of life’s fiercest foes.
These experiences push us to our limits, urging us to tap into reservoirs of strength we never knew existed.
It’s in these crucibles of adversity that we discover just how resilient we truly are.
Bottom line—if you’ve faced down a major battle in your life and emerged victorious, take a moment to acknowledge your strength.
You’ve proven yourself to be tougher than nails, stronger than you ever imagined.
2) Embracing failure
It might sound counterintuitive, but failure is a potent catalyst for strength.
Here’s the deal: failure isn’t just an inevitable part of life; it’s a crucial component of growth.
Each stumble along the way presents an opportunity to learn, to refine ourselves, and to emerge even stronger.
If you’ve weathered significant failures and kept forging ahead, you’ve mastered one of life’s most essential skills: resilience.
Instead of viewing failure as a roadblock, see it as evidence of your inner fortitude and determination.
Because here’s the truth: it’s not about how many times you fall; it’s about how many times you rise again.
If you’ve faced failure head-on and bounced back, you’re part of a resilient minority—a group of individuals stronger than 99% of the population.
3) Surviving toxic relationships
Navigating through a toxic relationship and coming out on the other side is one of the most challenging experiences anyone can go through.
It takes immense strength to recognize the toxicity, protect your mental health, and finally, break free.
I’ve delved deep into this topic in my book Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship.
It’s a guide to understanding how we sometimes lose ourselves in relationships and how we can rebuild our lives after.
But I digress. The main point here is that if you’ve survived a toxic relationship, you’ve showcased courage and resilience that’s hard to come by.
You’ve made difficult decisions, prioritized your mental health, and come out stronger.
This is a testament to your strength, a strength that makes you part of an elite group that’s stronger than 99% of people out there.
4) Learning to love yourself
In a world that often seems determined to make us feel inadequate, embracing self-love can feel like scaling Mount Everest.
We’re constantly bombarded with messages telling us we need to be thinner, smarter, richer—the list never seems to end.
But here’s the truth: loving yourself is a journey, not a destination.
It’s about embarking on a path of self-discovery, forgiveness, and above all, patience. And let’s be real—it’s not always easy.
Yet, once you’ve reached a place of genuine appreciation and acceptance for yourself, flaws and all, you unlock a reservoir of inner strength that’s truly remarkable.
As the brilliant Oscar Wilde once said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
And he was right.
When you learn to love yourself, you become invincible.
5) Championing solitude
Here’s the kicker: solitude isn’t synonymous with loneliness.
It’s about embracing the art of being content in your own skin, finding peace in your own presence, and savoring the moments of quiet introspection.
I’ve had my own journey with solitude.
There were times when I sought the buzz and bustle of social gatherings, simply to escape the discomfort of being alone with my thoughts.
But as time passed, I came to realize that solitude wasn’t something to be feared—it was something to be embraced.
Being able to relish time spent alone, enjoying your own company, and finding serenity in solitude speaks volumes about your strength and self-assurance.
If you’ve reached this place, you’re part of an extraordinary group—a group of individuals stronger than 99% of the population.
And that, my friend, is something truly remarkable.
6) Saying no to things that don’t serve you
The ability to say ‘no’ to things that don’t serve your happiness, growth or well-being is an underrated strength.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing, putting others’ needs before our own. I know, because I’ve been there.
But as the wise Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
Learning to set boundaries and prioritize your own needs demonstrates a level of self-respect and courage that sets you apart.
It’s not about being selfish, it’s about self-preservation.
And if you’ve mastered the art of saying ‘no’, then congratulations. You’re stronger than 99% of people out there.
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7) Living through loss
Loss hits hard. Whether it’s saying goodbye to a loved one, a relationship, or a dream close to your heart, the pain cuts deep.
Enduring loss changes you. It knocks you down, leaving you feeling utterly shattered and lost.
Yet, within that raw, vulnerable space lies an opportunity for renewal. To forge a new path forward.
Surviving loss and emerging stronger demands nothing short of sheer grit. It requires resilience, courage, and an unwavering resolve.
By the same token, if you’ve walked through the fire of loss and still find yourself standing tall, take a moment to honor your resilience.
You’ve braved one of life’s fiercest storms and emerged on the other side. That strength within you?
It sets you apart, making you a force to be reckoned with. And that, my friend, is something truly remarkable.
Realizing your strength
In the grand scheme of life, the struggles we face are not to break us, but to shape us.
They mold us into individuals of immense strength and resilience.
Recognizing that you’re stronger than 99% of people isn’t about arrogance or superiority—it’s about acknowledging your journey and the strength you’ve gained from it.
Now that we’ve explored these seven life experiences that prove your strength, it’s time to dig a little deeper.
Here’s a video by Justin Brown that I believe will help you explore more deeply the key things we’ve been discussing in this article.
It’s a personal reflection on being single and lonely in a big city, but it applies to all of us, no matter where we live.
Remember, strength isn’t just about surviving the toughest battles; it’s also about thriving in spite of them.
It’s about finding peace in solitude, embracing failure as an opportunity for growth, and learning to love yourself unconditionally.
You are stronger than you think. And that’s something to celebrate every day.
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