Life can throw a bunch of curveballs our way, and it’s during these challenging times we truly discover our strength.
Sure, toughness is hard to measure. Yet, some experiences we go through serve as ultimate tests of our mettle.
If you have faced any of these eight experiences, odds are you’re made of some strong stuff. In fact, you might just be tougher than 98% of people out there.
Below is the introduction to “If you’ve lived through these 8 experiences, you’re tougher than 98% of people”. Buckle up, because it’s time for a little self-discovery.
1) Surviving a personal tragedy
Life is full of surprises, and unfortunately, they’re not all pleasant ones.
When tragedy strikes, be it the loss of a loved one, a life-changing accident, or some other form of personal devastation, life often seems to stand still.
People in such situations are forced to sink or swim. The pain in these moments feels insurmountable. Yet, if you’ve lived through this, if you’ve come out the other side still swimming, you’re a testament to resilience.
Finding the strength to not just survive, but continue living after such an ordeal is proof of extreme toughness, even if you may not realize it.
This isn’t an attempt to glorify suffering or tragedy. Rather it’s recognizing the exceptional strength people showcase while facing it.
You’ve faced the unthinkable and you’re still here. That makes you tougher than you know, and undoubtedly, tougher than most.
2) Confronting personal fears
Fear can be a powerful force, often guiding our choices and actions. When we’re faced with our deepest fears, it feels as if we’re up against a wall.
Yet, when we muster the courage to face a fear head-on, we’ve earned a stripe most people don’t get.
Let me share an example from my own life.
All my life, I’ve been haunted by a fear of heights. Even a trip up an escalator could turn my stomach. On a vacation a few years back, a friend suggested we try bungee jumping. I was initially reluctant.
But then I remembered, few things in life feel better than overcoming something that scares you. I decided to face my fear. Yes, it was terrifying. And yes, that leap was the longest leap of faith I’ve ever taken. But it was also one of the most liberating experiences I’ve ever had.
So, if you’ve ever summoned the courage to confront your fears directly, no matter the outcome, take comfort in knowing that you’re a tough cookie. You’ve shown a kind of bravery that sets you apart from the crowd.
3) Making it through financial hardship
Life can be a monetary tightrope, with many of us just one paycheck away from disaster. Financial stability feels like a dream for millions of people worldwide.
Whether it’s making it through chronic poverty, a period of unemployment, or an unforeseen medical expense, living through financial hardship is a test of willpower and resourcefulness.
Studies show that economic stress can lead to substantial negative impacts on physical and mental health. But if you’ve climbed up from the depths of a financial pit, you’re part of a minority that’s had to harness exceptional toughness to survive.
Bouncing back from financial despair showcases a unique kind of resilience. You’ve encountered misfortune, faced it head-on and emerged stronger. That’s a sign you’re tougher than you think.
4) Overcoming a debilitating illness
Illness can tax our bodies, minds, and spirits in unimaginable ways. It’s a harsh reality endured by countless people.
Whether it’s tackling a physical illness or staying afloat amid mental health struggles, wrestling with ill health is an uphill battle. It’s a fight the majority never have to face.
Emerging from this storm requires not only physical endurance but fantastic mental and emotional fortitude. You’ve got to navigate not just the pain and confusion, but also the isolation that a serious health issue brings into play.
If you’ve managed to walk through the flames of illness and have emerged on the other side, know that you’ve exhibited a kind of strength that most can only speculate about. It’s a testament to your grit and resilience which underlines your toughness.
5) Living through a heartbreak
Let’s talk about heartbreaks — those seismic shifts in our emotional landscapes that can feel like end of the world. Many of us have been there, nursing a heart shattered into a million pieces.
Whether it’s a romantic relationship gone sour, the death of a dream, or a deep-seated disappointment, heartbreak is universal, yet distinctively personal.
In such moments, the pain seems endless, the world feels grey, and life loses a bit of its flavor. Yet, here you are, reading this, made it through.
When your heart has been broken and you not only survive but find the strength to piece it back together, you’re resilient in a way that’s truly remarkable. You’ve journeyed an emotional road less traveled, a road that proves your mettle and showcases your toughness.
Remember, withstanding a heartbreak is a testament to your endurance, an affirmation that you’re built of tough stuff. Something that many aren’t forced to find out about themselves.
6) Navigating loneliness
Loneliness, profound and all-consuming, can be one of the toughest things to endure.
I moved cities for college, leaving behind the life I knew, and just about everyone who mattered to me. There were some nights when the quietude would wrap around me so tightly that even breathing felt arduous.
Living through such isolation engraves endurance deep into one’s being. I learned to dwell in my aloneness, to appreciate solitude, to discover a side of myself I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
If you’ve weathered periods of intense solitude, where you felt alone even in a crowded space, you’ll know what I mean. The strength you garner from living through this isolation, can’t be acquired any other way.
You emerge from loneliness, not just tougher, but with a newfound understanding of yourself — and that’s something only a handful have the opportunity to experience.
7) Taking a leap of faith
Sometimes, life requires us to take risks. It challenges us to step into the unknown, to shatter complacency, and leap into uncertainty.
From starting a new career or moving to a brand new city, to ending a toxic relationship or standing up against injustice, taking the uncharted path requires a certain degree of toughness.
The fear of the unknown could be paralyzing, but if you’ve ever taken a leap of faith, embraced change and faced the new challenges it possibly brought, you’ve unlocked a level of toughness inherent to only the daring.
Such leaps aren’t always grand, dramatic shifts. Sometimes, they are small, courageous steps towards self-improvement or self-acceptance. All equally valuable, all testament to your strength, all proof you’re more resilient than most.
8) Standing up for what’s right
Few tests reveal character better than this one. Standing up for what’s right, against the odds, is a display of indomitable strength.
Whether it’s putting a spotlight on an uncomfortable truth, fighting against injustice, challenging the status quo, or even standing up against friends or family when they’re wrong, this takes courage.
This show of moral toughness puts you miles ahead in terms of strength. It takes grit, integrity, and a healthy dose of courage to stay true to one’s principles when things get tough.
Most people may just go along to get along. But you didn’t. You stood tall.
And that, my friend, sets you apart as tougher than 98% of folks out there.