Resilient daisy flower on a sandy desert, demonstrating the concept of traits of mentally strong people

Have you ever stumbled upon a life-changing article that just blew your mind?

That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Amy Morin’s viral piece, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.

With over 50 million reads, I can’t believe it took me so long to find this goldmine of wisdom!

Back then, my life was far from a personal growth journey, but hey, better late than never, right?

Since then, I’ve been on a wild ride of self-discovery, constantly learning new things, reevaluating my choices, and making impactful changes.

As I develop and transform, I feel compelled to share these life-changing insights with fellow personal growth enthusiasts like you.

If you haven’t come across Morin’s “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” buckle up, my dear reader – I’m about to introduce you to a game-changer.

She even wrote a book with the same title!

(Disclosure: If you purchase through the link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog, my dear reader!)

I’ve always been fascinated by mentally strong individuals like David Goggins, so this topic instantly set my curiosity on fire.

Don’t forget to watch Morin’s TED Talk below so you can have a taste of her work.

The Power of Amy Morin’s 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do

Jocko Willink quote about being tougher, capturing traits of mentally strong people

If you want to be tougher mentally, it is simple: be tougher. Don’t meditate on it.

Jocko Willink

Embracing the Traits of Mentally Strong People

Inspired by Morin’s insights, I dove into the 13 things mentally strong people don’t do and added my personal touch.

These lessons have transformed the way I approach my personal growth, helping me see the world through a more positive lens.

So get ready, because we’re about to explore the incredible power of mental strength together!

1. They Don’t Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves

Mentally strong individuals fully accept the consequences of their decisions without blaming circumstances or other people.

They don’t wallow in self-pity; instead, they rise to the occasion, utilising their available resources to overcome adversity.

I must admit, I was a massive self-pity partygoer back in the day.

But guess what?

I realised it didn’t help one bit.

Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, I decided to take charge of my life, and with that decision came a newfound sense of empowerment.

2. They Don’t Give Away Their Power

Mentally strong people refuse to be controlled by others.

Be it a demanding boss or irate customers, they don’t allow external forces to dictate their emotions.

Recognising they can’t change others, they assert their power by adjusting their reactions to situations rather than succumbing to external pressure.

We’ve all been there, trying to please everyone around us.

In the end, it’s a losing battle.

Learning to take control of our emotions and reactions is a powerful lesson in personal growth.

3. They Don’t Shy Away from Change

Text EMBRACE CHANGE on a notepad, showing the concept of traits of mentally strong people

Change fosters mental strength by pushing individuals out of their comfort zones and compelling them to face new challenges.

Although change can be daunting, it trains the mind to be adaptable, resilient, and robust.

Mentally strong people defy the status quo, embrace change, and grow tougher in the process.

The more we expose ourselves to change, the deeper our resilience grows.

Change can give us that extra push to explore new horizons.

It’s that initial fear that holds us back, but when we finally take the plunge, we often find that change brings us incredible opportunities.

4. They Don’t Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control

The Serenity Prayer speaks to the wisdom of mentally strong people:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Mentally strong individuals discern what’s within their control and what’s not, understanding that fixating on the uncontrollable is a futile endeavour.

If you find yourself worrying about things beyond your control, try reading The Serenity Prayer a number of times until you memorise it.

It’ll do you a world of good – it certainly did for me.

The more you recite it, the more it sinks in.

Besides, think about all the time you wasted worrying; now you can effectively replace that with this empowering mantra.

5. They Don’t Worry About Pleasing Everyone

Being preoccupied with pleasing everyone is a drain on time and energy.

It’s essential to prioritise self-care and happiness first, as that’s the only way to genuinely love others.

Mentally strong people don’t seek validation from others or attempt to appease everyone.

They’re unafraid to forge their own paths, even if it creates conflict or discomfort for some.

One thing I remind myself of is this: no one can live my life for me, and I can’t live anyone else’s life for them.

So, why should we bend over backward to please everyone, right?

6. They Don’t Fear Taking Calculated Risks

Climber at peak looking off into the distance, demonstrating the concept of traits of mentally strong people, taking calculated risks

Fear can dictate whether we thrive or merely survive.

Many people remain trapped within their comfort zones, never realising their full potential.

In contrast, mentally strong individuals actively pursue their desires despite their fears.

They carefully evaluate their options and take calculated risks.

With risks come potential rewards.

If you don’t dare step out of your comfort zone, you’ll never discover what you’re truly capable of achieving.

Have a backup plan, take that leap of faith, and see where it leads you.

Chances are, when you look back, you’ll be grateful for the journey.

7. They Don’t Dwell on the Past

While reflecting on the past is crucial for making better choices and personal growth, mentally strong people avoid getting stuck in a loop of past experiences.

They learn from their past, apply their lessons, and move forward.

We all have memories that haunt us, but the difference between dwelling and learning is crucial.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in personal growth is that action makes a difference.

Dwelling on the past keeps you stuck, but when I became an action-oriented person, my life truly changed.

8. They Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over

Albert Einstein quote about Insanity being doing the same thing, expecting different results

Albert Einstein once said,

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Mentally strong people learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating them.

I must admit, I made the same mistake a few times before I finally learned.

Sometimes, you just can’t help it.

But when we’re faced with similar situations, we need a new way of thinking.

Deliberately avoiding doing the same thing or taking the same approach has helped me grow immensely.

9. They Don’t Resent Other People’s Success

Mentally strong individuals possess self-confidence and belief in their abilities.

They’re able to genuinely admire and congratulate others on their successes without feeling inferior or resentful.

They recognise that they, too, can achieve greatness.

I see so many ordinary folks like me achieving extraordinary things.

Inspiring stories are everywhere.

Who has time for resentment when you’re so awed by these amazing achievements?

Each story tells a tale of possibility.

If someone else can do it, so can you.

10. They Don’t Give Up After the First Failure

Mentally strong people understand that failure is part of the journey to success.

They learn from their setbacks, fail forward, and emerge stronger and more resilient.

Everyone has setbacks, and I like to think of life as a series of games we play.

The point isn’t winning every game, but rather winning enough to achieve overall success.

Don’t let setbacks and failures define you.

It was just one game—you have plenty more to play, and you’ll win more often than you think.

11. They Don’t Fear Alone Time

Woman enjoying alone time relaxing at home, demonstrating traits of mentally strong people

Being comfortable with solitude allows individuals to find happiness within themselves and truly enjoy the company of others.

Mentally strong people appreciate their alone time and cherish their own company.

I know a friend who just can’t stand being alone.

She goes out every weekend because she can’t find happiness in solitude.

It’s good to enjoy others’ company, but you can’t rely on others for your happiness all the time.

If you aren’t comfortable in your own skin, it’s hard to feel confident.

Learn to appreciate your alone time, and you’ll thrive in any situation.

12. They Don’t Feel the World Owes Them Anything

Mentally strong individuals recognise that nobody is entitled to success or an easy life.

They understand the importance of hard work, perseverance, and making their mark on the world.

It reminds me of Mark Twain’s quote,

Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

I’ve learned from an early age that I am solely responsible for my own life.

Nothing is guaranteed, but it’s true that we reap what we sow.

We may not be entitled to success, but we’ll certainly increase our chances when we put in the work.

Life can be fair like that.

13. They Don’t Expect Immediate Results

Mentally strong people know that worthwhile achievements take time, effort, and patience.

It can be hard when you don’t see results right away.

I almost gave up blogging a couple of times because progress seemed so slow.

But every time I felt like throwing in the towel, I’d see successful bloggers who were once in my shoes.

Reading their stories reminded me that great accomplishments take time and perseverance.

Anything worthwhile takes patience and persistence.

Don’t give up too soon because you never know how close you are to a breakthrough.

Find a way to recharge yourself.

It could be taking a short break, connecting with friends, or enjoying a hobby.

You may not know how close you are to achieving your goals; just keep pushing forward, and you might be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Watch Amy Morin’s Inspiring TED Talk on Mental Strength

Before we wrap up, I highly recommend watching Amy Morin’s TED Talk on mental strength.

In her engaging presentation, she shares her personal story and delves deeper into the 13 habits of mentally strong people.

Morin’s insights and anecdotes will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to cultivate your own mental strength.

Take a few minutes to watch the video below – trust me, it’s worth your time!

The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong | Amy Morin | TEDxOcala

Final Thoughts on the Traits of Mentally Strong People

Amy Morin’s “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” serves as a powerful reminder that we all have the capacity to develop mental strength.

Remember, mentally strong people aren’t born that way; they cultivate these habits over time.

Start small, making one positive decision at a time, and watch your mental strength grow.

As we mentioned earlier, former Navy SEAL Commander Jocko Willink put it succinctly:

If you want to be tougher mentally, it is simple: be tougher. Don’t meditate on it.

So, let’s circle back to that quote and take it to heart.

Embrace these 13 habits and unlock your inner mental strength.

You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve when you commit to building your mental resilience.

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3 Comments

  1. This is awesome! The reward doesn’t always come immediately. I like the point on how mentally strong people don’t expect immediate results. -Ryan

  2. Great article 🙂 Helped me a lot

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