Do you describe yourself as a resilient person?
When asked to share more about ourselves we hardly give ourselves credit for being resilient because we may think that we aren’t worthy of this label.
But if you were to observe your life, you’d be surprised at how much stronger and resilient you think yourself to be.
Resilience is not solely about being able to overcome life’s challenges, it’s also about being able to stand up again after failing time and time again.
Today we’ll explore 6 signs that you’re actually becoming a stronger person, according to psychology.
1) You’re willing to ask for help.
This may confuse some, but being willing to ask for help is actually a good indicator that you’re a strong and resilient person.
In fact, psychology states that maintaining a strong support network shows that you exhibit resilience. It involves actively developing and maintaining a trusted community of friends and family who support you.
But it’s one thing to maintain this network and another to actively seek help when you need it. You’d be surprised at how many people aren’t willing to do so for fear of being judged or perceived as weak.
While it’s good to be self-reliant and resourceful when we’re facing challenges, it’s also equally important to seek help when we need it – and resilient people understand this.
They acknowledge that inviting the guidance of people who may be more experienced or able to see things from another perspective can benefit their lives and alleviate whatever problems they’re facing.
By leaning on pillars of support, they’re better positioned mentally and emotionally to face whatever life throws their way.
2) You’re more optimistic about life.
Maintaining an attitude of positivity can be tough, especially in a world full of conflict and negativity.
When we are going through struggles and aren’t able to see the end of it, it’s nearly impossible to embrace optimism because it feels as if nothing is going our way.
However, people who are stronger and more resilient than others are able to cling to silver linings because these help them push through their challenges.
The thing is, if we focus too much on the negative aspects of things, it will inevitably influence our ability to address issues in life. We may get increasingly disillusioned and disinterested in overcoming the problems we’re facing, and may instead admit defeat.
Optimism, therefore, is what sets resilient people apart from the rest. But, this is not talking about blind optimism – they’re also able to be practical and see reality for what it is.
Instead, they face challenges with the mindset that this is only temporary while approaching tough situations in life with the belief that they can overcome them.
3) You maintain a sense of control in your life.
Blindly going through life may get you to a certain point, but when challenges start coming your way, it may take more than going through the motions to overcome struggles.
Instead, it’s important to have a strong sense of control that guides your decisions, regulates your emotions, and helps you frame your responses to difficult situations.
Are you someone who blames circumstances for the struggles you face? Or do you perceive that you have everything under control?
Resilient people generally have what psychologists call an internal locus of control, where they firmly believe that the actions they take will affect the outcome of an event.
They’re keenly aware that there are things outside their control, and will not pay much attention to these, as it distracts from their goal of controlling what they can – like their emotions, actions, and choices.
Worrying about things that they aren’t able to control will also cast doubt on their abilities, which will hinder their journey toward overcoming struggles.
4) You see setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Another key trait of strong or resilient people is their ability to see setbacks as opportunities for growth.
It’s normal to be overwhelmed by disappointment when we try so hard but end up unsuccessful in what we set out to do.
But what sets resilient people apart is that they pick themselves up and see these failed experiences as learning opportunities. Every closed door, to them, is one step closer to success.
They don’t compare themselves with others as they know that each person is on their individual journey towards success. Instead, they choose to focus on themselves and the steps they will be taking to reach their goal.
Moreover, resilient people are also able to adjust their responses and react to situations in order to produce positive consequences. In addition to reframing their perspectives on failure, they also know how to learn from their mistakes.
As such, they gain a better understanding of their limitations and capabilities to become more reliable and consistent in the actions that they take in the future.
5) You’re okay with not being perfect.
Accepting one’s limitations is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it helps you become a much stronger person as you acknowledge that you aren’t perfect.
When setbacks or failures come your way, you’re able to show yourself some compassion, because you don’t hold yourself to a standard that’s impossible to attain.
Most people have this idea that they have to be perfect in every way because this is how they define success.
But we’re all created differently, being better at certain things while not as great in others.
And that’s okay because it’s what gives us our unique personalities and characteristics.
Therefore, people who are resilient understand that perfection should not be the goal in life. Instead, being able to pursue growth and improvement is what they focus on instead.
6) You’re able to problem solve.
Problem-solving is an essential skill to have in order to address a multitude of scenarios across different situations in all aspects of life.
It comprises the ability to be objective, and to evaluate choices and circumstances better while remaining focused on the goal at hand.
Resilient people know how to assess a situation from multiple angles and identify solutions that will lead to the best outcome.
On the contrary, people who aren’t as resilient may be too narrow-minded to take note of important details and fail to capitalize on opportunities.
Therefore, honing problem-solving capabilities will enable and empower a person to become more resilient in life and help improve their abilities to navigate through challenges and solve problems.
Concluding thoughts
The idea of being a resilient person is enticing for some, but actually learning how to become a stronger person takes a lot more effort.
It involves being aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and be willing to get better, while accepting that you’re not alone.
After reading through this article, do you feel like you’re actually a much stronger person than you thought yourself to be? If so, continue learning how to strengthen your resilience, as this will empower you to overcome it.
