Developing mental strength was the topic of a conversation that I had with Amy Morin, author of the 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do series. Up until a few years ago, I never thought about mental strength or the role it played in my life. I just lived, moment to moment, blindly existing. It wasn’t until my life literally imploded and I came out the other side that I started to wonder how I made it through those challenges, relatively unscathed.

Most people have trouble getting through any one of life’s transitions, but I was hit with the biggies (death, divorce, abandonment, financial upheaval, empty nest, self esteem) all at once, in a period of six months. One day I had a familiar life, and the next it was gone!

There was a long period of time when I didn’t think I would survive. But, as it turns out, not only did I survive, I thrived. Those experiences catapulted me to a higher, more insightful level of living. And while I wish I didn’t have to go through them to get here, I am grateful for the wisdom.

Listening to Amy, I learned that I instinctually exhibited habits that got me through that difficult time. Perhaps these traits were taught to me by my parents, perhaps they were innate. Whatever the origin, I had them and utilized most of these to move forward.

With this knowledge I now know that I can build upon my strengths and allow them to carry me forward. And, you can too.

Here’s Amy’s list of the 13 things mentally strong people don’t do:
They don’t waste time feeling sorry for themselves.
They don’t give away their power.
They don’t shy away from change.
They don’t waste energy on things they can’t control.
They don’t worry about pleasing everyone.
They don’t fear taking calculated risks.
They don’t dwell on the past.
They don’t make the same mistakes over and over.
They don’t resent other people’s success.
They don’t give up after the first failure.
They don’t fear alone time.
They don’t feel the world owes them anything.
They don’t expect immediate results.