13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success

by Amy Morin

I knew I couldn’t be effective at helping other people unless I was able to productively deal with my own feelings.

I knew that time doesn’t heal anything; it’s how we deal with that time that determines the speed at which we heal.

you’re only as good as your worst habits.

Developing mental strength is about improving your ability to regulate your emotions, manage your thoughts, and behave in a positive manner, despite your circumstances.

Instead of pitying ourselves for what we lost, we choose to feel grateful for what we had.

Anytime you don’t set healthy emotional and physical boundaries for yourself, you risk giving away your power to other people.

Choosing to forgive someone who has hurt you, either emotionally or physically, doesn’t mean you have to excuse the other person’s behavior, but letting go of your anger frees you to focus your energy on a more worthwhile cause.

Just because one person thinks something, it doesn’t make it true. Don’t give one person’s opinion of you the power to determine who you are.

Simply reminding yourself that you have a choice in everything you do, think, and feel can be very freeing.

Choosing to do something different requires you to adapt your thinking and your behavior, which will likely bring up some uncomfortable emotions. But that doesn’t mean you should shy away from change.

Doing something different means giving something up.

If you start by changing your life, you can begin to make a difference in the lives of other people.

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. —lao tzu

Most spiritual guidance encourages us to be bold enough to live according to our values, even when doing so displeases some people.

Just because it’s a popular choice doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.

Accept that some people will just never be pleased, and it isn’t your job to make them happy.

Your words and your behavior must be in line with your beliefs before you can begin to enjoy a truly authentic life.

The more emotional you feel, the less logical your thoughts will be.