7 signs of someone who has always had it easy and never experienced true hardship

Avatar by Justin Brown | November 1, 2024, 11:16 pm

Imagine you’ve never faced a significant challenge—everything has always gone your way.

No financial worries, no personal crises, and success comes effortlessly.

Sounds ideal, right? Not exactly.

A life devoid of hardship can actually leave a person unprepared for the realities of adulthood.

People who have always had it easy may develop traits that make it harder for them to cope with life’s inevitable ups and downs.

In fact, there are several telltale signs that indicate when someone has been shielded from adversity.

In this article, we’ll dive into seven traits commonly found in those who’ve never experienced true hardship.

Let’s get started.

1) Lack of empathy

Empathy is often born from personal hardship. It’s through our struggles that we learn to understand and share the feelings of others.

But what about those who’ve always had it easy?

When life has always been a smooth sail, it can be challenging to understand the storms that others face.

This lack of personal adversity can sometimes result in a diminished capacity for empathy.

Consider this scenario: A person who has never faced financial difficulties may find it hard to relate to someone struggling to pay their bills.

They may even unintentionally belittle the other’s problems, simply because they’ve never known what it feels like to have money problems. 

It’s important to note that this isn’t necessarily a character flaw, but rather a byproduct of an unchallenged life.

Empathy can be cultivated, and those who’ve had it easy have the capacity to develop this essential human trait.

2) Fear of failure

When you’ve always had it easy, the prospect of failure can seem terrifying.

After all, you’ve never really tasted defeat, and the unknown can be deeply unsettling.

In my own experience, I’ve noticed that those who haven’t faced significant hardships often display an intense fear of failure.

This fear can become paralyzing, preventing them from taking risks and exploring their full potential.

The irony is that failure, in moderation, is a crucial ingredient for personal growth.

It’s through our failures that we learn, adapt and innovate. We become more resilient and creative in the face of adversity.

As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Embracing failure as a part of life’s journey is a sign of maturity and wisdom that often comes from experiencing hardship.

Those who’ve always had it easy might struggle with this concept.

3) Unfamiliar with self-reflection

Self-reflection is often a product of hardship.

When we face challenges, we are compelled to look within ourselves and question our choices, values, and behaviors.

However, for those who’ve always had it easy, this introspective journey may not be a familiar one.

They might be unaccustomed to questioning their actions or beliefs simply because they’ve never been forced to confront the consequences of their decisions.

To illustrate this point, I share in my video below the science behind why breakups hurt so intensely, and I offer a path towards healing which includes, yes, a significant amount of self-reflection.

This is an important skill that can lead to personal growth and resilience, yet it can be lacking in those who’ve never experienced significant adversity.

YouTube video

If you find these insights valuable and want to join 30,000 others in exploring a life with more purpose and freedom, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel here.

4) Struggle with genuine relationships

Deep, meaningful relationships often spring from shared struggles and challenges.

It’s in these moments that we bear our souls, reveal our vulnerabilities, and connect on a profound level.

However, those who’ve always had it easy might find it difficult to establish these kinds of relationships.

Without personal hardships to share, they may struggle to form connections that go beyond the surface level.

This isn’t to say that they can’t have genuine relationships.

However, their lack of personal adversity might make it harder for them to relate to others on a deeper level.

This ties directly into one of my core beliefs – the profound importance of authentic relationships.

It’s through our shared experiences, including our struggles and challenges, that we form bonds that last a lifetime.

Those who’ve always had it easy might need to work a bit harder to cultivate these connections, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

5) Difficulty handling criticism

Another thing I’ve noticed in those who’ve always had it easy is that they really struggle with handling negative feedback.

Criticism can be a hard pill to swallow in itself, even more so if you’re not used to facing adversity.

So they may become defensive or dismissive, unwilling or unable to see criticism as an opportunity for growth.

Real talk — it’s through confronting our weaknesses and limitations that we evolve and become better versions of ourselves.

But for this transformation to happen, we need to be open to criticism and willing to learn from our mistakes.

6) Overconfidence in abilities

Confidence is generally seen as a positive trait.

It allows us to take risks, face challenges head-on, and advocate for ourselves in personal and professional situations.

However, when someone has always had it easy, their confidence might tip over into overconfidence.

Overconfidence can lead to complacency and a lack of self-awareness, preventing individuals from recognizing their own limitations or the need for growth.

They may assume that they can handle anything life throws at them, without considering the possibility of failure or the need for assistance.

In essence, just like resistance to criticism, overconfidence can become a barrier to personal growth.

It’s only by acknowledging our weaknesses and embracing our vulnerabilities that we can truly evolve and become stronger individuals. 

7) Struggle with independence

When you’ve always had it easy, you may not have had many opportunities to stand on your own two feet.

Maybe your parents always stepped in to fix your problems, or you always had people around to do favors for you. 

This might lead to a struggle with independence.

You may find yourself overly reliant on others or unable to make decisions without external validation.

Independence is about more than just being able to do things on your own.

It’s about being able to:

In other words, it’s about knowing that you can rely on yourself when things get tough.

For those who’ve always had it easy, this level of self-reliance might be unfamiliar territory.

But it’s a crucial aspect of personal growth and resilience.

After all, true empowerment comes from taking full responsibility for our lives, focusing on what we can control – our attitudes, actions, and responses.

Building independence might be a challenging journey for those who’ve always had it easy, but it’s an essential part of living a fulfilling and authentic life.

Understanding, not judgement

Recognizing these signs in others, or even in ourselves, is not a call to judge. Instead, it’s an invitation to understand and empathize.

It’s a chance to acknowledge the diverse experiences that contribute to our individual perspectives on life.

Having it easy doesn’t make someone less deserving of compassion or respect. Rather, it offers a different set of lessons and challenges.

Everyone has their journey, and each journey is valuable in its own unique way.

For those who’ve always had it easy, recognizing these signs might be the first step towards personal growth.

It might be the nudge they need to step out of their comfort zone and embrace a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Want to explore more topics like this and gain insights into living a life with more purpose and freedom?

You can subscribe to my YouTube channel here where I delve into such topics in-depth.