Growing up in a broken family can be tough, but it’s not all bad news. When your family’s broken, you learn to fend for yourself. 

You become your own person because you’ve had to figure things out on your own.

You’ve also been through some rough patches, so you know what it’s like to struggle. That makes you more understanding and compassionate towards others who are going through tough times.

And if you come from a broken family, you often develop many other unique traits as an adult. So, let’s explore them together. 

1) They learn to do things by themselves from a young age

Growing up in a broken family, you realize early on that you have to rely on yourself. You can’t always count on others to have your back, so you start standing on your own two feet.

That sucks when you’re just a kid, but it makes you a stronger adult and one who doesn’t fall apart when sh*t hits the fan.

You become resourceful, and that makes you a better boss, employee, entrepreneur, and partner.

2) They become tough because they’ve faced a lot of tough stuff

Life throws a lot of curveballs when your family isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. But you also learn to bounce back from tough times because you’ve been through them before. 

You’re building up a tough skin that helps you handle whatever comes your way. So, for example, you were bullied at school because your family situation wasn’t like everyone else’s. 

Kids can be mean, and they don’t always understand what you’re going through. But instead of letting their words get to you, you stand up for yourself and show them that you’re not someone to be messed with.

You become tough because you’ve faced judgment and criticism and learned to rise above it with confidence.

3) They’re good at understanding how other people feel

When you’ve seen your fair share of struggles, you tend to understand what others are going through. 

You become more sensitive to people’s feelings because you know how much it can hurt when things aren’t going right.

That’s been my experience, at least. Unfortunately, some people go down the other route and lack any and all regard for others. 

4) They’re always able to adjust to new situations

Things change a lot in a broken family. You might have to move around, deal with new people coming in and out of your life, or adjust to different living situations. 

So, you start to roll with the punches and adapt to whatever life throws at you. You know that almost nothing in life is permanent, and that’s how you deal with situations and people in your life. 

For better or worse, of course. 

5) They figure things out on their own

You understand pretty quickly that if you want something done, you often have to do it yourself. 

Whether it’s chores around the house or making decisions about your future, you become the captain of your own ship.

And that makes you independent AF later in life, too, as you don’t like to depend on others anymore because that’s left a sour taste in your mouth since as long as you can remember. 

6) They know that hard work pays off

Nothing comes easy when your family life is a bit of a mess. You know that if you want something, you’ve got to work your butt off to get it. 

That’s why you put in the effort and don’t give up when things get tough. If you can just put your head down and do the work, you’re damn sure things are gonna be on the up and up.

You don’t understand how others can be so lazy and entitled when they have two perfectly good hands and can make something out of themselves if they want. 

7) They’re pretty good at thinking outside the box

Sometimes, you’ve got to think outside the box to make things work in a broken family. You have to come up with all sorts of creative solutions to problems because you have to find a way to make things happen with what you’ve got.

And those skills don’t just disappear once you grow up. In fact, they often become even more valuable in adulthood. 

Being able to think creatively and adapt to different situations can help you succeed in your career, relationships, and life in general. 

So, while growing up in a broken family presents its own set of challenges, it can also equip you with the tools you need to thrive in the real world.

8) They know themselves quite well

When your family life isn’t picture-perfect, you tend to do a lot of soul-searching. You get to know a lot about yourself and what you want out of life because you’ve had to figure things out on your own.

You develop a clear sense of your strengths, weaknesses, and values. You know what you’re capable of, what you stand for, and what you want to achieve in life. 

This self-awareness is incredibly empowering and can guide you in making important decisions as you enter adulthood.

9) They’re good at letting go of grudges

Let’s face it, there’s usually a lot of drama in a broken family. But you remember to let go of grudges and move forward because holding onto anger and resentment just weighs you down.

You understand that holding onto anger only harms yourself, not the person you’re angry with. 

By releasing those grudges, you free yourself from the burden of negativity. In other words, you create space for healing and growth.

10) They can make something out of nothing

You make the most of what you have because you often have little to work with. 

Whether it’s stretching a tight budget or finding creative ways to solve problems, you become a master at making things work.

This skill doesn’t just apply to material possessions. It extends to all aspects of life. You find solutions to problems even when resources are scarce or the odds seem stacked against you.

11) They know when to give people space

In a broken family, personal space and emotions can be touchy subjects. That’s why you now respect other people’s boundaries and expect the same in return because it’s important to have that mutual respect.

Everyone needs their own time and place to process their thoughts and feelings without feeling crowded or pressured.

12) They really value having a stable life

When your family life is anything but stable, you start to crave it like nobody’s business. You appreciate the little things that bring a sense of normalcy to your life because you know how precious they are.

For that reason, you’ve decided to create a family that’s as cookie-cutter as it can be. You’ll be there for your partner and your kids whenever they need you because that’s something you perhaps didn’t have enough of.  

13) They stick by the people they care about

Family might be a bit complicated in a broken family, but you stick by the people who matter most to you. 

Whether they’re blood relatives or close friends who feel like family, you’ve got their backs through thick and thin.

You now know and appreciate that blood isn’t water and that you need to be there for them even if they never stood by you completely. 

14) They’re always looking to make things better

And lastly, you’re determined to break the cycle and create a better life for yourself and your future family. 

You’ve seen the struggles firsthand, and you’re not about to let history repeat itself. So, you work hard every day to build a brighter future.

Final thoughts

Growing up in a broken family is undoubtedly challenging, but it’s also an experience that can shape you in profound and meaningful ways. 

Despite the hardships, people who grow up in broken families often develop a unique set of strengths and skills that serve them well throughout their lives.