Weirdly enough, it’s when life is at its lowest point that you tend to learn the most.
Whether you’re dealing with a loss, are struggling with your mental health, or are just facing some uphill battles without feeling like you’re making much progress, it’s tempting to give up hope. However, when you keep persevering and refuse to give up, certain things make themselves clear to you in ways that are enlightening and heartening. These are just a few of the insights you only tend to receive when you’re having the toughest time.
1. You’re stronger than you think.
When you’re in the thick of a struggle, it’s easy to feel weak or overwhelmed. But as you push through, you discover reserves of strength you didn’t know you had. Every time you get through a tough situation, you prove to yourself that you can handle more than you ever imagined. You don’t realise it in the moment, but it’s exactly this strength that makes the next battle you feel just a little easier to win.
2. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Struggles often teach you that no one gets through life alone. Reaching out to friends, family, or even professionals can be transformative. It’s in those vulnerable moments that you realise seeking support isn’t a sign of failure but a courageous step toward healing or growth. After all, we’re all only human, and leaning on one another when we need a hand is one of the beautiful things about being alive. Embracing that rather than fighting it is an amazing thing.
3. Small victories matter more than you thought.
When life feels overwhelming, even the tiniest wins — having a shower, finishing a task, or actually eating a decent meal — become monumental. Struggles remind you to celebrate these small steps, as they’re often the building blocks of bigger achievements. You don’t have to be accomplishing anything major to pat yourself on the back. Sometimes even getting out of bed in the morning feels like a win, and sometimes it is. Celebrate that, no matter how silly it feels.
4. True friends reveal themselves in hard times.
Tough times have a way of highlighting who’s really there for you. While some people may drift away, others step up in ways you didn’t expect. These moments teach you who truly has your back and help you focus on nurturing those meaningful relationships. While it can be painful to realise people you’ve invested time and energy in over the years aren’t prepared to do the same for you, it’s incredibly touching to see those who truly love and care for you go the extra mile to make sure you’re okay.
5. Your perspective shapes your experience.
Hard times force you to see the power of your mindset. While you can’t always control what happens to you, you can control how you react. Adopting a positive or resilient outlook can turn even the worst struggles into opportunities for growth. Of course, you also realise that this takes a lot of practise, and you’ll fail more than you succeed at this at first. Over time, however, it becomes easier to see the bright side and expect good things to happen rather than bad ones.
6. You don’t need as much as you thought to be happy.
When you’re struggling, life often strips away the unnecessary, leaving you with a clearer view of what truly matters. You begin to realise that happiness doesn’t come from material things but from meaningful connections, inner peace, and small joys. While you can feel foolish at first realising how much time you wasted chasing things that are ultimately meaningless, the clarity of the things that are truly worth holding dear to your heart makes up for it.
7. Self-compassion is critical for survival.
Struggling shows you the importance of being kind to yourself. Beating yourself up only adds to the weight, while self-compassion gives you the space to heal and move forward. Learning to treat yourself like you would a friend is a game-changer. You’re the only one you’ve got, and it’s up to you to show yourself some compassion, especially since the world often won’t.
8. Resilience is built, not given.
Resilience doesn’t just come to you out of nowhere — it’s forged in the fires of tough experiences. Every time you get back up after a setback, you’re building emotional and mental strength. Struggles teach you that resilience is a skill you can grow over time. While it would be nice not to need so much strength, the fact that you’ve got a well of it to keep you going is inspiring and worth being proud of.
9. Letting go can be liberating.
Hard times often force you to release what’s no longer serving you, whether it’s a toxic relationship, an unfulfilling job, or unrealistic expectations. While letting go can be painful, it also creates space for new opportunities and growth. When you start to experience the weight being lifted from your shoulders, suddenly, walking away from the things that don’t serve you becomes a whole lot easier.
10. Gratitude becomes more powerful during tough times.
In the middle of a struggle, even the smallest blessings can feel huge. Struggles teach you to appreciate what you have and remind you that gratitude can shift your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. It’s not always easy to be thankful, especially when you’re at your lowest, but looking for something to appreciate snaps you out of your funk a bit and makes it possible to keep going.
11. Failure is a necessary pit stop on the way to success.
Struggles remind you that failing isn’t the end; it’s part of the process. Each setback holds lessons that can guide you to a better path. Success often grows from the seeds of failure, and struggles give you the chance to plant them. Unfortunately, you can’t go straight from the bottom to the top — you’ve got to make a few uncomfortable stops along the way.
12. You learn to be present in the moment.
When life feels overwhelming, focusing on the present can be grounding. Struggles teach you to take things one step at a time, reminding you that the future is built on the choices you make today. Staying present helps you find peace, even in chaos.
13. Change is uncomfortable but necessary.
Struggles often come with change, which can be scary. But they also show you that growth rarely happens in comfort zones. Embracing change, even when it’s painful, is a vital part of moving forward and evolving into a stronger version of yourself. The less you fight it and the more you truly embrace it, the better your life becomes.
14. Your struggles can inspire other people.
As you work through tough times, you never know who’s watching and learning from your perseverance. Sharing your journey can give others hope and show them that they’re not alone. Struggles may be personal, but their impact can reach far beyond you.
