8 signs you’re handling life better than you give yourself credit for

by Lachlan Brown | November 10, 2025, 8:56 pm

When life hands you lemons, you’re not just making lemonade – you’re setting up a thriving lemonade stand. But often, we’re so hard on ourselves we don’t even notice.

Unbeknown to us, we’re handling life better than we think.

This is the case more often than not, with many of us overlooking our small daily victories.

Here are signs that you’re actually doing way better than you give yourself credit for.

Just like proofreading a manuscript or editing a business proposal, recognising these signs requires a keen eye and patience.

But once you start noticing them, you’ll see that you’re truly smashing this thing called life.

1) You’re bouncing back from setbacks

Life is a crazy roller-coaster ride. Sometimes, it feels like you’re constantly being thrown off track.

But here’s the thing, you always find a way back. You dust yourself off, learn from the experience and move forward.

That’s resilience and it’s a clear sign you’re handling life better than you think.

It’s like when you’re writing a book or an academic paper.

You get feedback, your work gets edited and proofread, and there are times when you have to rewrite entire sections. It’s tough, but you get through it because that’s what success requires.

If you’re bouncing back from setbacks, pat yourself on the back. You’re doing great!

2) You’re taking care of your mental health

Believe me, I know how easy it is to get lost in the hustle and bustle of life.

There was a time when I would push through my days, ignoring the signs of burnout just to meet deadlines and keep up appearances.

But then I realized that taking care of your mental health is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Just as you would take a break when you’re physically exhausted, your mind also needs time to relax and recharge.

Now, I make sure to set aside time for myself each day.

Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book or even just sitting quietly with a cup of tea – these small acts of self-care have made a huge difference in how I handle life’s challenges.

If you’re doing the same, trust me, you’re handling life better than you think.

3) You’re setting and achieving small goals

Think about the last time you set a goal and achieved it. It doesn’t have to be something big like finishing a novel or securing a major business deal.

Even something as simple as finishing a book you’ve been meaning to read or finally organizing that messy desk of yours counts.

And here’s the thing: the brain loves goal-setting. It releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone, each time we achieve a goal, no matter how small.

This not only makes us feel good but also motivates us to keep going.

If you’re setting and achieving small goals, give yourself some credit. Every little victory is a step towards handling life better.

4) You’re taking responsibility for your actions

It’s easy to play the blame game when things go wrong. But you know what’s really brave? Owning up to your mistakes and taking responsibility for your actions.

Just like when editing a document, it’s about seeing the errors, acknowledging them, and making the necessary corrections.

It may be uncomfortable in the moment, but in the long run, it leads to growth and improvement.

If you’re doing this – taking responsibility instead of passing the buck – then you’re definitely handling life better than you think.

It’s a sign of maturity and wisdom, and it shows that you’re not afraid to learn from your mistakes.

5) You’re not afraid to ask for help

I remember a time when I thought asking for help was a sign of weakness. I would struggle on my own, trying to solve everything by myself.

But I quickly realized that this approach was not only exhausting but also counterproductive.

Now, I understand that we all need a helping hand from time to time.

Whether it’s asking a colleague to help with a challenging task or seeking advice from a mentor, reaching out to others is actually a sign of strength.

If you’re doing the same, then believe me, you’re handling life better than you think.

It shows that you value collaboration and aren’t too proud to learn from others.

6) You’re okay with saying ‘No’

In a world that often glorifies busyness, saying ‘No’ can seem like a failure. But it’s actually quite the opposite.

Being able to turn down opportunities or requests that don’t align with your values or priorities is a clear sign of self-awareness and strength.

Just like an editor who rejects a manuscript that doesn’t fit their publishing house’s vision, saying ‘No’ allows you to focus on what truly matters to you.

If you’re comfortable with saying ‘No’ when needed, then you’re definitely handling life better than you think. It shows you value your time and energy, and are confident in your choices.

7) You’re constantly learning and growing

Life is a never-ending learning process.

Every day offers new lessons and opportunities for growth, whether it’s from a challenging task at work or a personal interaction.

Just like the process of writing and revising a manuscript, our lives are also works in progress.

As we learn, we edit and refine our thoughts, actions and behaviours to become better versions of ourselves.

If you’re open to learning and growing every day, then you’re definitely handling life better than you think. It’s a sign of an open mind and a resilient spirit.

Give yourself the credit you deserve!

8) You’re practicing gratitude

At the end of the day, it all comes down to gratitude.

Being thankful for what you have, instead of consistently focusing on what you don’t, is perhaps the clearest sign that you’re handling life better than you think.

Gratitude shifts our perspective, allowing us to see the good in our lives and appreciate our achievements, no matter how small.

It’s not about ignoring the challenges, but acknowledging the positives alongside them.

If you’re practicing gratitude, then trust me, you’re doing a great job at this thing called life.

Embrace your strengths and victories

If you’ve come this far, hopefully you’ve realized that you’re doing better than you think.

These signs aren’t just markers of success, they’re testament to your resilience, your adaptability, and your willingness to grow.

Acknowledging your strengths doesn’t mean ignoring your struggles.

It’s about recognizing that amidst all the challenges and setbacks, you are making progress. You are adapting. And most importantly, you’re surviving.

As Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Next time you find yourself being too hard on yourself, take a step back and look at how far you’ve come. You might be surprised at what you find.

After all, life isn’t always about being at the finish line. It’s about appreciating the journey that gets us there.

Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Brown Brothers Media, a digital publishing network reaching tens of millions of readers monthly. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, though his real education came afterward: a warehouse job shifting TVs, a stretch of anxiety in his mid-twenties, and the slow discovery that studying the mind is not the same as learning how to live well. He started experimenting with Buddhist principles during breaks at the warehouse and eventually began writing about what he was learning. That writing became Hack Spirit, a widely read personal development site, and his book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism became a bestseller. His work breaks down complex ideas into frameworks people can apply immediately, whether they are navigating a career change, a difficult relationship, or the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Lachlan splits his time between Singapore and Saigon. He writes about high-performance routines, decision-making under pressure, digital innovation, and the intersection of Eastern philosophy with modern life. His perspective comes from having built things from scratch, failed at some of them, and learned that clarity comes from practice, not theory.