By 
Life can throw you some serious curveballs. But it’s not the experiences themselves that define us, it’s how we respond to them.
As a man, you’ve probably had your fair share of challenges. Some of these experiences may have been tough, but they’ve also likely made you stronger and more resilient.
Here are seven life experiences that tend to build grit and tenacity in men. If you’ve faced these challenges and come out the other side, there’s a good chance you’re a stronger and more resilient man than you realize.
We’ll delve into them shortly, but first, let’s consider what it really means to be strong and resilient.
1) You’ve faced failure
Failure is an inevitable part of life. It’s not something we typically look forward to, but it’s a reality we all have to deal with.
If you’ve faced a significant failure in your life, whether it was in your personal or professional life, it’s probably made you stronger and more resilient.
Facing failure isn’t easy. It can shake your confidence and make you question your abilities. But the way you respond to failure says a lot about your character.
The most resilient men are those who can face failure, learn from it, and come back stronger. They don’t let failure define them, but rather they see it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
So if you’ve been knocked down and managed to get back up again, congratulations. You’re probably a lot stronger and more resilient than you give yourself credit for.
2) You’ve had to start over
Starting over in life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
I remember when I lost my job unexpectedly a few years back. It was a major blow. Not only did I lose my source of income, but it felt like I was starting from scratch.
It was a challenging time, to say the least. But looking back, I realize that it was an opportunity in disguise. I found strength I didn’t know I had. I learned to adapt, to be resourceful, and to keep pushing forward, even when things were tough.
Being forced to start over, whether it’s in your career, in a new city, or after a significant life event, can be incredibly daunting. But if you’ve been through this and come out the other side, it’s a testament to your resilience and fortitude.
That experience of starting over has made me much stronger and more resilient than I ever thought possible. If you’ve also had a similar experience of starting from scratch, odds are you’re pretty tough too.
3) You’ve experienced a major health setback
Health setbacks can be incredibly jarring. One day you’re feeling fit and healthy, and the next, you’re dealing with a serious health issue.
Interestingly, research has shown that individuals who have successfully navigated a major health setback often exhibit higher levels of resilience. The process of healing and recovery can instill a sense of inner strength and self-reliance.
If you’ve ever had to battle a serious illness or injury and fought your way back to health, it’s likely made you stronger in more ways than one. Overcoming these challenges often gives us a new perspective on life and our own abilities, making us more resilient in the face of future adversity.
4) You’ve weathered a financial storm
Money issues can be one of the most stressful life experiences. Whether it’s losing a job, facing unexpected expenses, or struggling with debt, financial hardships can feel overwhelming.
But if you’ve been through a financial crisis and came out the other side, you’ve demonstrated an incredible amount of resilience. The process of climbing out of a financial hole requires discipline, determination, and a whole lot of grit.
Dealing with financial adversity often forces us to become more resourceful, to rethink our priorities and to find new ways to solve problems. So if you’ve weathered a financial storm and rebuilt your security, you’re likely stronger and more resilient for it.
5) You’ve navigated a difficult relationship
Relationships can be complex. I once found myself in a relationship that was emotionally draining. It was a tough period, filled with confusion and self-doubt. But it also taught me a lot about myself and what I wanted from my relationships.
If you’ve ever been in a difficult relationship, you’ll know how hard it can be to navigate the ups and downs. It could be a romantic relationship, a family relationship, or a difficult friendship – they all come with their own set of challenges.
But surviving these challenging relationships often requires us to develop emotional strength and resilience. We learn how to set boundaries, stand up for ourselves, and make tough decisions for our own well-being.
So, if you’ve navigated a difficult relationship and come out the other side, it’s likely made you a stronger and more resilient man.
6) You’ve survived a career crisis
A career crisis can come in many forms. It could be an unexpected job loss, a failed business, or dealing with a toxic work environment. These situations can shake your confidence and leave you feeling uncertain about your future.
But if you’ve faced a career crisis and managed to navigate your way through it, it’s a clear testament to your strength and resilience. It takes courage to pick yourself up after a professional setback, reassess your goals, and start moving forward again.
A career crisis can be the catalyst for major personal growth. It can push you out of your comfort zone, force you to learn new skills, and ultimately make you more resilient in the face of future challenges. If you’ve survived a career crisis, you’re likely stronger than you think.
7) You’ve overcome a personal loss
Personal loss is one of the most difficult things we can experience. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a cherished relationship, or something else that was deeply important to us, these losses can leave us feeling shattered.
But it’s also in these moments of profound grief and loss that we often discover our true strength and resilience. The process of healing and moving forward after a loss requires immense inner strength.
Overcoming a personal loss changes us fundamentally. It forces us to confront our deepest fears and vulnerabilities, and in doing so, we often discover a well of strength and resilience we didn’t know we had. So if you’ve faced this kind of deep personal loss and found a way to keep going, know this: you are stronger and more resilient than most.
Final thoughts: It’s about growth
The true essence of being strong and resilient isn’t just about enduring hardship. It’s about the growth that comes from these experiences.
Every challenge, every setback, every failure and heartbreak…they all have something to teach us. They force us to dig deep, to discover parts of ourselves we might never have known existed.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” These words ring true for all the experiences we’ve discussed.
If you’ve encountered any, or all, of these seven life experiences, you’ve not only survived but grown stronger and more resilient because of them.
So take a moment to reflect on your past struggles. Honor the strength it took for you to overcome them. And know that whatever life throws at you in the future, you’re well-equipped to handle it with grace and resilience.