If you’ve lived through these 8 experiences, you’re more resilient than the average person

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with; it’s built from the experiences you’ve had. It’s how you bounce back from life’s curveballs. And let’s face it, some curveballs are harder to recover from than others.

If you’ve been through certain life experiences, chances are, you’re more resilient than the average person. You might not even realize it yourself but trust me, it’s there.

Here are 8 experiences that typically contribute to building resilience. If you’ve lived through any of these, give yourself a pat on the back – you’re doing better than you think.

1) Personal loss or trauma

Experiencing personal loss or trauma is one of the most challenging experiences that life can throw at you. It could be the death of a loved one, a serious injury, or a traumatic event.

These experiences can break you, but they can also make you stronger. They force you to confront your deepest fears and pain, and in doing so, they give you the opportunity to grow in resilience.

When you’ve lived through personal loss or trauma, you learn to cope with extreme emotions and distressing situations. You learn to survive the unthinkable. You learn to pick up the pieces and rebuild your life.

And that, my friend, is the epitome of resilience.

So if this sounds like something you’ve gone through, know that it’s shaped you into a stronger, more resilient person than you might realize.

2) Financial hardship

If you’ve ever found yourself scraping pennies together to make ends meet, you know just how tough financial hardship can be.

I remember a time when I was living paycheck to paycheck, unsure if I’d be able to pay for the basic necessities. It felt like I was constantly fighting a losing battle, and it was one of the most stressful periods of my life.

But guess what? I made it through. It wasn’t easy, but I learned a lot about myself and about life during that time.

I learned how to manage my money better, true, but more importantly, I learned how to stay positive and hopeful even when things seemed bleak. I learned how to be resourceful, creative, and determined.

Looking back now, I realize that this period of financial hardship actually made me a more resilient person. So if you’ve been through something similar, know that you too have developed resilience from your experiences.

3) Living or working abroad

Taking the plunge to live or work in a foreign country is no small feat. It means stepping out of your comfort zone, navigating different cultures, and often, dealing with language barriers.

But did you know that expatriates are generally more resilient than those who have never lived abroad?

That’s right. Living or working in a different country forces you to adapt to new surroundings and circumstances. You have to learn new ways of doing things, understand different perspectives, and develop a tolerance for ambiguity.

This experience can not only broaden your horizons but also significantly boost your resilience. So if you’ve had the chance to live or work abroad, count it as an experience that has made you stronger.

4) Overcoming a health challenge

Health challenges, whether physical or mental, can test our strength in unimaginable ways. Facing a serious illness or injury, or battling with mental health issues, can feel like you’re climbing a mountain with no peak in sight.

But here’s the thing: making it through such a challenge changes you. It forces you to develop coping strategies, to find inner strength you didn’t know you had, and to discover resilience within yourself.

If you’ve dealt with a significant health challenge and come out the other side, you’re stronger than you might give yourself credit for. You’ve faced one of life’s toughest battles and emerged victorious – that’s resilience in action.

5) Enduring a tough breakup

Heartbreak is a universal experience. Whether it’s a romantic relationship, a friendship, or even a professional partnership, the end of a significant relationship can be deeply painful.

But amidst the tears and the heartache, there’s also an opportunity for growth. It’s in these moments of vulnerability that we begin to see our own strength, our capacity to heal, and our ability to bounce back.

A tough breakup can feel like the end of the world. But if you’ve been through it and you’re standing here today, know this: you’ve weathered the storm. You’ve shown resilience in the face of adversity, and that’s something to be proud of.

6) Failing at something you deeply cared about

There’s a saying that goes, “failure is the stepping stone to success.” I used to roll my eyes at this phrase, especially when I failed at launching my own business. I put my heart and soul into it, only to watch it crumble.

But in retrospect, that failure was one of the best things to happen to me. It taught me how to pick myself up and dust myself off. It taught me the importance of resilience.

Failing at something you’re passionate about can feel devastating. But remember, it’s also an opportunity for growth and learning. If you’ve experienced this kind of failure and kept going, you have resilience in spades.

7) Being a caregiver

Caring for a sick or elderly loved one is a tough job. It’s emotionally, physically, and sometimes even financially draining.

Yet, amidst all the exhaustion, there’s a powerful lesson to be learned – the lesson of resilience. Caregivers learn to stay strong amidst adversity. They learn to keep going even when they’re tired, stressed, and overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever been a caregiver, take a moment to give yourself some credit. You’ve shown remarkable resilience in the face of challenges and that makes you stronger than most.

8) Surviving a natural disaster

The sheer force and unpredictability of nature can leave us feeling vulnerable and powerless. Surviving a natural disaster can be a terrifying experience – one that pushes us to our limits.

But if you’ve lived through such an event, and managed to rebuild your life in its aftermath, you’ve demonstrated an incredible amount of resilience. The ability to stand strong in the face of such adversity is a testament to your inner strength and perseverance. It’s proof that no matter what life throws at you, you have the power to overcome it.

Embrace your resilience

It’s crucial to understand that resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. It’s about learning from our experiences and using them to grow stronger.

American novelist, F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” This quote encapsulates the essence of resilience. It’s the ability to keep going, to keep bouncing back, regardless of the setbacks.

Each of the eight experiences we discussed is a testament to your resilience. They show that you’ve faced adversity and come out stronger at the other end. You’ve been tested, and you’ve proven your strength.

So next time life throws a curveball your way, remember your journey. Remember the battles you’ve fought and won. Remember the strength you have within you. You are resilient, and that is something truly remarkable.

Let’s not just survive, let’s thrive.