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littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 04:33 AM Nov 2018

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do
~by Amy Morin, LCSW

Mentally strong people have healthy habits. They manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that set them up for success in life. Check out these things that mentally strong people don’t do so that you too can become more mentally strong.

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

Mentally strong people don’t sit around feeling sorry about their circumstances or how others have treated them. Instead, they take responsibility for their role in life and understand that life isn’t always easy or fair.

2. They Don’t Give Away Their Power

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do The Wall Street Journal BestSellerThey don’t allow others to control them, and they don’t give someone else power over them. They don’t say things like, “My boss makes me feel bad,” because they understand that they are in control over their own emotions and they have a choice in how they respond.

3. They Don’t Shy Away from Change

Mentally strong people don’t try to avoid change. Instead, they welcome positive change and are willing to be flexible. They understand that change is inevitable and believe in their abilities to adapt.

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

You won’t hear a mentally strong person complaining over lost luggage or traffic jams. Instead, they focus on what they can control in their lives. They recognize that sometimes, the only thing they can control is their attitude.

5. They Don’t Worry About Pleasing Everyone

Mentally strong people recognize that they don’t need to please everyone all the time. They’re not afraid to say no or speak up when necessary. They strive to be kind and fair, but can handle other people being upset if they didn’t make them happy.

6. They Don’t Fear Taking Calculated Risks

They don’t take reckless or foolish risks, but don’t mind taking calculated risks. Mentally strong people spend time weighing the risks and benefits before making a big decision, and they’re fully informed of the potential downsides before they take action.

7. They Don’t Dwell on the Past

Mentally strong people don’t waste time dwelling on the past and wishing things could be different. They acknowledge their past and can say what they’ve learned from it. However, they don’t constantly relive bad experiences or fantasize about the glory days. Instead, they live for the present and plan for the future.

More at link:
https://amymorinlcsw.com/mentally-strong-people/

Print copy of article: https://www.amymorinlcsw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/13-Things-Mentally-Strong-People-Dont-Do-by-Amy-Morin.pdf

TEDxTalk



Link to book:
13 THINGS MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE DON’T DO
By Amy Morin
https://amymorinlcsw.com/book/

Additional article:

10 Strategies to Make Yourself Mentally Stronger

When most people set out to become fitter in the New Year, they're thinking about their physical fitness: Getting in better physical shape tops the list of New Year's resolutions. According to a Nielson survey, 37 percent of people aim to stay fit and healthy in the new year, while 32 percent of people want to lose weight. Sadly, most people will never achieve those goals. Statistically speaking, only about 8 percent of people keep their resolution.

If more people focused on their mental fitness, however, they'd likely become more successful in achieving the goals they set for themselves—physical fitness or otherwise. After all, your body won't do what your mind doesn't tell it. Building mental muscle is the key to self-discipline, delayed gratification, grit, and perseverance. And those are the skills you need to become the best physical and mental version of yourself.

1. I will spend at least 15 minutes a day in quiet reflection.

A few minutes of quiet time gives you an opportunity to reflect on your progress and think about what you want to do better. Schedule a few minutes every day to recharge your batteries with a little bit of solitude. It will help you gain clarity and renew your motivation to reach your goals.

2. I will do at least one tough thing every week.

Whether you sign up for a photography class or join toastmasters, do something that forces you to step outside your comfort zone. Facing your fears head-on can shift the way you see yourself. Rather than assume you need to avoid hard things because you might fail or because you can't tolerate the stress, you'll chip away at your self-limiting beliefs.

3. I'll write in a gratitude journal.

Write down three things you're grateful for every day and you'll change the way you see the world. Studies link gratitude to a multitude of benefits, from better sleep to reduced psychological distress. It only takes a few minutes each day, but it's an easy way to boost your mental strength.

More at link.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201701/10-strategies-make-yourself-mentally-stronger

♡ lmsp
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do (Original Post) littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 OP
Thanks for posting Sherman A1 Nov 2018 #1
I like watching them too. Unfortunately my exercise bike is in need of some maintenance. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #3
Thankful for this!! secondwind Nov 2018 #2
I'm so glad. I'm thankful that you're thankful, secondwind. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #4
Made a copy. Thanks empedocles Nov 2018 #5
You're welcome, empedocles. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #14
Today I work as Poll Challenger duhneece Nov 2018 #6
Thank you, duhneece. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #11
Great article. llmart Nov 2018 #7
Thanks for the reply, llmart. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #12
They don't waste energy on things they can't control Martin Eden Nov 2018 #8
I understand your position, Martin Eden. littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #13
I know you meant well, but there are negative implications here. Tobin S. Nov 2018 #9
I don't agree with your bias. But you are certainly entitled to littlemissmartypants Nov 2018 #10
Yes, I was disappointed with my therapist this week TexasBushwhacker Jun 2019 #16
Looks like I'm a total failure when it comes to "Mentally Strong." hunter Nov 2018 #15
This is really good, thanks for posting. wendyb-NC Nov 2019 #17
You're welcome, wendyb-NC. ❤ nt littlemissmartypants Nov 2019 #18

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
1. Thanks for posting
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 05:03 AM
Nov 2018

I enjoy TED Talks as I ride the exercise bike in the early morning in my quiet time before Mrs. Sherman A1 gets up.

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
3. I like watching them too. Unfortunately my exercise bike is in need of some maintenance.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 05:19 AM
Nov 2018

So, I won't be exercising but I'd like to be. Thanks for the reply. Keep the faith.

duhneece

(4,239 posts)
6. Today I work as Poll Challenger
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:37 AM
Nov 2018

Tomorrow we celebrate our wins.
Thursday, we are back to work...remembering what you've shared with us.
Thank you.

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
11. Thank you, duhneece.
Fri Nov 9, 2018, 11:02 AM
Nov 2018

We tried our best and the next two years will go by faster than we think. I'm ready to go again. Having a sense of purpose is good for the soul.

Keep the faith.

♡ lmsp

llmart

(16,331 posts)
7. Great article.
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:37 AM
Nov 2018

I have bookmarked it as a daily reminder. For me, #2 is the most important for me to remember. I have found that as I age, it's more difficult for me to get outside of my comfort zone even though historically I've been someone who doesn't fear much. I do #3 quite often as I have so much to be grateful for.

Martin Eden

(13,462 posts)
8. They don't waste energy on things they can't control
Tue Nov 6, 2018, 07:42 AM
Nov 2018

That's the only point I take some issue with.

Many millions believe they can't control what our government does and that may be true from an individual standpoint, but real positive change requires people to fight the good fight for causes which logically seem futile and hopeless.

Even in failure, their example may provide inspiration for others who follow. This applies to more than just US elections. Jews in the Warsaw ghetto had no chance against the Nazis, but who among us think they didn't make the strong intelligent choice?

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
13. I understand your position, Martin Eden.
Fri Nov 9, 2018, 11:18 AM
Nov 2018

The myth of Sysiphus speaks to many people for that very reason. Though intended as a punishment, the hope that persistence itself, may at some point become the reward, may be why we persist, even in the absence of control.

Thanks for the reply.

♡ lmsp

Tobin S.

(10,420 posts)
9. I know you meant well, but there are negative implications here.
Thu Nov 8, 2018, 03:27 PM
Nov 2018

And that is that mentally ill people are weak. Another implication that's a negative stereotype of the mentally ill is that they can somehow think their way out of what ails them. Those two things are implied in the material you've posted in OP.

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
10. I don't agree with your bias. But you are certainly entitled to
Fri Nov 9, 2018, 10:58 AM
Nov 2018

Your interpretation of the article. Thanks for the reply, Tobin S.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,672 posts)
16. Yes, I was disappointed with my therapist this week
Sun Jun 2, 2019, 02:07 PM
Jun 2019

He's a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and said his goal was to get me off all psychoactive medications. While that sounds nice, I've been on various antidepressants for 40 years. I had a depressed mother and a bipolar father, so I got a genetic double whammy. I think his goal is unrealistic and told him so. I'll do my best with diet, exercise and CBT techniques, but I'm in no hurry to quit medication. Every time I've tried, I've crashed.

hunter

(38,933 posts)
15. Looks like I'm a total failure when it comes to "Mentally Strong."
Fri Nov 16, 2018, 09:15 PM
Nov 2018

But I've accepted that.

I've seen too many people crash and burn, sometimes fatally, striving to be "strong."

My mom has always been a promoter of the "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" meme, and maybe as an octogenarian she might know something, but I abandoned that guilt a long time ago in a 'seventies dumpster behind the Taco Bell.

Free food!


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