Do you ever come across someone, and after spending some time with them, your first thought is, “Wow, what a confident person!”? Like they ooze self-confidence. In today’s post, we are going to talk about what mentally strong people do and what they don’t do.
It’s not just that they are confident or that they have mental toughness or a strong mind. But they have this incredible mental strength that sets them apart from the rest. But what gives them that mental strength?
I’ll share with you some things mentally strong people do that you’re probably not doing, but you most certainly can do!!
How Can I Become a Mentally Strong Person?
The million-dollar question. Don’t we all wish we could be mentally (or maybe even more physically stronger) stronger? So many people ask me this question.
“Iva, how can I become a strong person like you”?
Well, first of all, I wasn’t born with mental strength. To be honest, I’ve always been a bit of a wimp. But then I got tired of being walked on and disrespected all the time and hanging with people who were just no good for me.
Another thing that helped me was all the personal loss I suffered most of my life. The bad experiences I went through, bad mental habits I maintained. Oy. You grow from that.
For the first time of my life, I decided what kind of life I wanted to live, how I wanted to live it, and what type of people I wanted to live it with. My own experiences showed me who I didn’t want to be.
The best thing I ever did for myself was decide to change. I couldn’t keep letting my past events and negative thoughts rule my life anymore.
Mental strength, just like physical strength and regular exercise, needs to be done and worked on daily.
You have to decide that you are ready for some serious changes in your life. You have to decide that the life you have right now doesn’t make you happy or that you yearn for more. Whatever more is for you.
You have also to realize that anyone can become a stronger person. It’s up to you to want to be so. There are no magic pills or secret formulas.
You just do it, and while you won’t get immediate results, you will notice a difference each day.
19 Things Mentally Strong People Do
In order to become mentally strong, we have to understand some of their habits. I have listed 19 here, but there are probably a million more. I found these 19 to be pretty important and actually quite easy to adopt, like right now!
And then I want to list a few things mentally strong people don’t do. You’re gonna love that one.
In no particular order of importance, here they are:
1. They aren’t set back by past mistakes
Mentally strong people try things and challenge themselves. They’re aren’t sure if something will work the first try and they’re ok with that. They’ll keep at it until they either come up with a better plan or realize it simply won’t work and move on to something else.
And they’re ok with that too!! They also don’t let their past mistakes deter them from trying new things and new ways.
2. They take big risks
They realize they may have to take risks, really big risks, in order to achieve something and they will.
It’s not that they aren’t afraid of taking risks or stepping out of the comfort zone, they just realize that it is something they MUST do in order to attain/learn/achieve something.
They know that taking risks also brings about new opportunities too! Embrace change is their motto!
3. Take responsibility for their actions
Not everything works and they aren’t right all the time and sometimes they mess up. They know this. They aren’t perfect.
They will admit to wrongdoings and take full responsibility for a situation if it was their fault.
4. Look at the whole picture
They will take a situation or issue and see both sides of the problem before they make a decision or form an opinion. They are not quick to judge or throw a fit.
They will take a step back and look at the whole picture before a conclusion or resolve is reached.
5. Practice kindness
If someone is being mean, rude or ignorant to them or anyone else for that matter, they won’t lash back with the same rudeness. They will kill someone with kindness, smile and walk away.
They know that hate doesn’t cure hate, love does. Mentally strong people know this. They can control their emotions in tough situations.
6. They’re not afraid to ask for help
In order to have great mental strength, you will know when you have to swallow your pride and either ask for help or admit you’re wrong. Swallowing your pride is a great character trait for many people and something you should practice doing so more often.
People will tend to have more respect for you when you can do this. Not only that, when we have the right support systems in place, we all win!
7. Don’t quit when the going gets tough
Let’s face it, we all have moments where we want to throw in the towel and walk away from something that is causing us too much frustration. One of the most important things mentally strong people do is ‘not quit or give up’.
They keep at it and learn what they need to in order to move ahead. Remember, not everything is going to go our way. And that’s ok.
8. They set firm boundary lines
They have no problem setting a strong and firm boundary line around themselves.
They know it’s totally ok to say no to others and yes to themselves. They aren’t people pleasers. They are wise and self-respecting. They know that their mental health and happiness comes first before anyone else’s.
And, they don’t put up with anyone’s crap. Even if it’s a family member.
9. Help others succeed
They know life isn’t a competition and the only person they are in competition with is the person they were yesterday. They understand that we are all in this together and there is great strength in numbers.
They want others to succeed too! We all remember our first failure and what it feels like. The achievements of others truly makes them happy and brings them great joy.
They cheer people on, lift them up, encourage them and do whatever it takes to help another person. We celebrate other people’s success with them!
10. They practice gratitude daily
They know. They know how vital daily gratitude is. They remember to stop and take a look around them to see how blessed they truly are.
Whether they journal their gratitude daily or do gratitude meditations, or simply whisper to God or the Universe, “thank you”, they make sure to do it each and every day.
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11. They leave the past behind
Mentally strong people know they won’t succeed in life, in any area of life, if they drag their past and all the negative emotions that go with it, into the present and future. For many of us, our pasts are pretty ugly.
Instead, they will deal with the demons from the past, any way they can, and let them go. They know the past has no place in their life right now.
12. Forgive the people who hurt them
They don’t hold grudges, anger, resentment or any other ill feelings towards the people who hurt them. Like the past (and leaving it behind), they know it’s important to let go of all hurt and anger in order to move forward.
Mentally strong people don’t become strong by holding onto grudges. They let it all go and move on.
13. Take some alone time
Self reflection and peace is super important to them whether they want to take time and sit quietly or take themselves on a solo road trip, mentally strong people make sure to pencil in some alone time.
Being with friends and family and loved ones is great but it’s so important to decompress and recharge away from all the chatter clatter and noise.
14. Continue their education
They know learning is important and they take any opportunity to learn new things, no matter how hard it is.
Whether they are going to University to get a degree or taking an online course to learn programming or maybe even another language, mentally strong people embrace learning.
15. Practice compassion and have empathy
Life is tough for so many of us not to mention that the past two years really hit some of us super hard. People who are mentally strong understand this and know what tough times feel like.
They show compassion and have great empathy for people who are going through hard times now. And they do it with grace.
16. They maintain their integrity
Mentally strong people will honor their word, respect others, treat others kindly, and maintain their integrity.
Integrity is important to them as it is their business card if you will. It is one of the admiral things people will notice about them.
17. Work on their weaknesses
They know their weaknesses. They also know how to learn and grow from them. Someone who has great mental strength will take the time to work on their weakness.
We all have strengths and weaknesses and though you may not strengthen all of yours before you die, at least trying to makes a big difference.
18. Drop bad habits
Whether it be smoking, drinking, biting your nails, eating bad food, whatever it is, mentally strong people will definitely take time to work on dropping their bad habit.
Having unhealthy habits is fairly normal and common. We practically all have one but it’s the really detrimental ones that need to be worked on. And a mentally strong person will do that.
19. Accept people as they are-no judging
We are all equal and we all deserve to be treated equally, with respect and compassion/kindness. We are all battling demons no one knows about.
A mentally strong person doesn’t judge or point fingers at anyone. They give respect to everyone they meet and accept people for exactly who they are, as they are.
Mentally strong people just know
They just know. Most mentally strong people use to be really weak. Yup. That’s how and why they finally took time to build their mental strength. Being weak didn’t interest them anymore.
They just know that being weak is a terrible way to live life. They just know that they deserve respect and they deserve to be happy.
They just know that inner peace is more important than being right all the time. They know that they are tired of being treated like a doormat.
Being walked all over didn’t interest them anymore.
Always feeling like a failure didn’t interest them anymore.
They knew something had to change and that something was them. That’s where building mental strength begins.
When you finally decide you don’t want to be weak anymore you work on becoming strong so the next time they come across tough times, they can handle it.
It will take time
And more time and more time. It’s a work in progress and as you grow stronger, you will find that you love yourself more and you love others more too. You become more forgiving and more accepting.
You will have better relationships with everyone in your circle, and be on your own path to a whole new life.
Your whole mindset changes and it’s a really beautiful thing. I think the best part of becoming mentally stronger is that you just have a lot more self confidence and finally realize your self worth and you never settle for less again.
Ever.
Your greatest potential lies in change.
Some tips on becoming a mentally strong person
So how can you become a mentally strong person? Well if you followed this list above and still need more info, here are a few more tips to help you become a mentally strong person.
You can be just about anything you want to be, but you have to decide that you want it. Trust me when I tell you it’s the right decision too.
Anyone can become mentally strong but it takes practicing new daily habits and lots of work.
Here are a few things that helped me become stronger:
- guided meditations to release anger and fear
- journaled about gratitude
- listened to motivational speakers
- wrote out my feelings to release them
- practiced saying no to people
- stopped sweating all the small stuff
- How to Start Over at 50 With Nothing
- 11 Ways to Stop Thinking You’re Not Good Enough
- 80 Things I Love About Myself: A Self-Care Checklist For Every Woman
- 10 Things Women Over 50 Should Never Wear
6 things mentally strong people don’t do!
I thought you might like this list too.
- gossip
- judge
- belittle others
- get angry over little things
- give up
- lie
Those are just a few things though I’m sure there are a million more things mentally strong people don’t do. Don’t worry if you do any of those things. You can change all that!
Like, starting today. The worst thing that will happen is that you do nothing and stay the same. Put in a little bit of hard work, on your own mental strength journey and I promise you it won’t waste time at all and it will be time well spent!!!
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Peace and love
ox iva xo
