I’m going to preface this by saying that I’ve been there. I have sat in my car and cried after work because my entire life felt like it was sh*tting me down.
Mornings were miserable because I’d wake up thinking, “How am I going to make it through today?”
But looking back, that was when I realized something…
You’re NOT going to avoid pain and struggle in life. But you can build resilience from the inside out that no storm can tear down.
So if you’re currently facing difficult circumstances (death of a loved one, financial hardship, stress, burnout, exhaustion)—you’re not alone. You’ll survive this. And you can emerge from this stronger than ever.
Below, you’ll learn 8 ways to stay strong during hard times.
I’ll reach right into your mess and pull you through because I promise you hope.
I won’t preach at you. But I will show you how to dig yourself out of dark holes.
How To Stay Strong And Survive Tough Times – 8 Tips
1. Accept What Is Without Resistance
Acceptance. Simply accepting your situation and the circumstances that got you here will allow you to move forward.
Resisting reality will only drain your energy.
Trying to change your current situation when you have no control will leave you bitter, exhausted, and stuck in the mud.
Acceptance doesn’t mean you like your situation or give up trying to improve it. It just means you accept that:
- “This is happening.”
- “I can’t change it (yet).”
- “I need to make the best of the situation.”
Accepting your current situation empowers you to stop wasting time and energy crying over what you can’t control, and allows you to look for solutions.
Read also: 9 Ways to Have a Strong Mind
2. Focus on What You Can Control
When things get hard, it’s easy to feel like you’re not in control of your life.
But there’s ALWAYS something you can control:
- Your responses
- Your daily routines
- Who you allow into your life
- Your attitude
You may not be able to control the storm, but you can control how you weather it.
Focus on what you can control by:
- Waking up at the same time every day
- Creating daily routines (work blocks, meal planning, meditation, exercise, etc.)
- Building boundaries
Control what you can, and release what you can’t.
Read also: How to Take Control of Your Life
3. Create Structure to Ground Yourself
We love tips and advice that tell you to “just meditate on xyz” or “watch your thoughts drift by.”
But when your mind is a jumbled storm of frustrations, meditation isn’t going to cut it.
Your new greatest ally is routine.
Creating structure for your day will keep you grounded when everything around you is falling apart.
Here are some ideas:
- Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day
- Schedule time for meals or work blocks
- Add times of meditation or journaling
- Schedule calls with friends or family
While routine won’t fix your problems, it will provide you with a sense of normalcy and keep you grounded.
4. Connect With the People You Trust
Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who gets it.
You don’t have to go through hard times by yourself.
Connecting with friends, family, mentors, or even an online group can help you gain clarity, get encouragement, and remind you that you’re not battling life all on your own.
Trust me, picking up the phone or sending a text to someone you trust changes your entire mindset.
Social interaction actually reduces stress and anxiety.
5. Practice Self-Care
When life gets hard, the last thing we want to do is cook a meal, go to sleep at a reasonable hour, or take a walk.
But self-care is ESPECIALLY important during times of stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Here are a few things you can start today:
- Get good sleep (try to get 7–8 consistent hours per night)
- Eat balanced meals (don’t worry about “dieting”—just eat real food)
- Move your body (even a light workout releases tension and builds resilience)
Taking care of your body is foundational. You can have the brightest mindset in the world, but if your body is lacking, you’ll crumble faster.
6. Build Mental Toughness by Shifting Your Perspective
Hard times can feel like they’ll last forever.
But if you change your perspective, even the worst situations become tolerable.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What can I learn from this?
- Will this matter in 5 years?
- What strength can I gain from this?
Building mental toughness doesn’t mean ignoring your emotions or what you’re going through. Instead, reframe tough times into lessons that you can grow from.
Journaling your past hardships can help you realize you’ve made it through hard times before. And that alone can give you strength.
7. Have Patience and Show Yourself Grace
Trust me, healing and growing through tough times is not a neat and tidy process.
You will have good days and bad days. You’ll take two steps forward and one step back.
It’s okay.
What’s important is you remember to:
- Be patient with the process and allow life to unfold.
- Show yourself grace. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you’re feeling emotional or you mess up.
You are your own worst critic. One of the best things you can do for yourself is show yourself some grace.
Tough times are not here to punish you. They’re here to teach you and make you wiser.
8. Take Action (Even If It’s Baby Steps)
Lastly, take action.
I cannot stress how important movement is.
Yes, even when you’re tired. Even when you’re defeated. Do something that moves you one step forward.
It doesn’t have to be big to count as progress.
- Apply for that job, even if you think you might not get it
- Make your bed
- Send an encouraging message to a friend
- Start working on a side hustle
Do something. Anything. Momentum is key.
Final Thoughts
Life isn’t going to let up on throwing you curveballs.
Some will break your heart. Others will steal your sleep.
But life isn’t about avoiding pain. It’s about how you react and respond to pain.
Accept your current situation, focus on what you can control, find a support system, and take care of yourself. Your mental and physical strength will skyrocket.
And each time you survive the storm, you’ll grow mentally tougher, more resilient, and more confident than you were the day before.
Storms don’t last forever, but the strength you build during a storm will last a lifetime.
FAQs
How can I stay strong when I feel like giving up?
Begin by taking small steps. What can you do today to improve your situation? Focus on what you can control and spend time with people who lift you up. Over time, small steps create momentum.
How do I stay strong when everything is falling apart?
Accept your situation, practice self-care, and connect with the people you trust. Remember that it’s okay to have bad days, but each day you’ll slowly chip away at the stone until life feels normal again.
Is it normal to feel numb during hard times?
Yes! It’s normal to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, angry, or any combination of emotions when you’re going through a stressful time. Acknowledge your emotions without letting them control you.
How do I stop burnout during stressful times?
Stick to your routine as much as possible. Get enough sleep, exercise, and set boundaries. Small daily healthy habits will preserve your mental and physical energy.
Isn’t pain supposed to teach me something?
Yes and no. Pain is only there to teach you if you allow it to. Let hardship make you mentally stronger by building your perspective, not by tearing you down.
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