What do you think it means to be mentally strong? Contrary to what most people think, it isn’t really about being able to do anything and everything. Mental strength involves setting healthy boundaries, and that includes saying no to certain things. Mentally strong people are essentialists who organize their priorities, and their own needs and goals are at the top. They recognize that there's no point in wasting their valuable energy on things that don't really matter. With that in mind, here are seven things mentally strong people don't do:
1 - Worrying About What Others Think
Worrying about what other people think impacts your decisions. From the little things, like how you dress, to the big ones, like how you parent your kids, that anxiety can start to control you. When you constantly fear judgment, you begin to live your life for others, not for you. If you live your life avoiding things that could result in criticism or rejection, you'll rarely take risks that could benefit you, like applying for a job you want, or telling someone how you really feel. Other people's emotions are not your responsibility, and mentally strong people know that. They have self-confidence. Knowing what they want out of life helps them keep their goals and values in order. And they focus on those goals, regardless of what others think.
2 - Overthinking Things
Have you ever experienced analysis paralysis? If you have, you know that overthinking leads to freezing up and worrying. Mentally strong people choose not to give any energy to that negativity. They rather think critically and take logical action. Of course, they know that there are always risks and consequences, no matter what choice they make. After all, there is no 'perfect' decision. Nonetheless, they have confidence that no matter what happens, they'll be okay.
3 - Beating Themselves Up
While mentally strong people hold themselves accountable for their behaviour, they refuse to entertain toxic self-criticism. They don't beat themselves up when they fail or make mistakes, because they know it only harms them in the end. Instead, they choose a path of growth and compassion, always forgiving themselves and learning from their mistakes.
4 - Wishing Things Were Different
Wishing that things were different than they are can be painful. Whether you wish your parents were different, you didn't have so much on your plate, or your living situation was better, dwelling on things will only cause resentment, regret, worry, and missed opportunities. Mentally strong people don't sit around ‘wishing’ for a better life. They use their energy to do the best they can in any situation.
5 - Feeling Sorry For Themselves
Although mentally strong people aren’t afraid of negative emotions like sadness, they don't allow themselves to fall into despair or hopelessness, and they never pity themselves. Rather than letting negative emotions consume them, they cope with discomfort in healthy ways. This could be journaling, going for a walk, or problem-solving. Even in the worst situations, there is still room for hope and gratitude. During hard times, mentally strong people shift their focus on what they have, instead of thinking about what they don’t have and insisting they deserve more.
6 - Complaining To People Who Can't Help
If you find yourself in an unfair or unsatisfactory situation, you might feel that you need to vent to process your emotions. But complaining to people who have no power to help you isn't all that productive. That's why mentally strong people don't waste their energy complaining, it doesn’t do any good. They rather do something about the situation, by bringing their concerns to people who actually have the power to change it or do something about it. Whether that means bringing a problem to a supervisor’s attention or expressing their feelings to a friend who hurt them, mentally strong people use their words to create change, not complain.