People Who Are Getting Mentally & Emotionally Stronger Say 9 Phrases To Themselves Almost Every Day
Ann Haritonenko | Shutterstock One of the best ways for people to become mentally and emotionally stronger is to leave their critical thoughts behind and talk to themselves with the same kindness they would give a friend.
Positive self-talk might sound pointless to some people, but those who are getting stronger every day say things to build themselves up so they can keep making progress.
People say these phrases to themselves almost daily when they’re getting mentally and emotionally stronger:
1. ‘I don’t have to explain myself to anyone’
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People usually do way too much to explain themselves because they think it’s the only way to keep everyone happy. It’s a huge step when someone realizes they can leave this habit in the past.
You can’t get stronger by worrying about other people’s opinions and always putting their feelings first. Refusing to explain themselves is the first step people take when they want to take their lives back and live them on their own terms.
2. ‘There’s nothing wrong with saying no’
A lot of people feel guilty when they tell someone no, so they never do. Soon they find out that the consequences of not having any boundaries are even more uncomfortable than saying no.
Leaving this kind of people-pleasing behavior behind is a major sign someone is becoming stronger. After putting everyone else first for as long as they can remember, they’re finally doing what’s best for them, and they aren’t feeling bad about it.
3. ‘Taking care of myself isn’t selfish’
For some reason, our culture teaches us that our top priority should be taking care of everyone else. Choosing to put yourself first isn’t a selfish decision, though. You can’t pour into others if your own cup is empty, so it’s actually necessary.
It takes time to get used to this idea since it’s so different from what the world says. Being able to do that, or at least trying to, means someone is growing much stronger than they were before.
4. ‘I only need to focus on what’s happening right now’
It’s normal to worry about the future, and it’s not something that anyone can just automatically stop doing. People who say this phrase haven’t figured out some magical way to never feel anxious, but they are reminding themselves of what's most important.
There’s very little that people can do to control anything outside of the present moment, and trying to will make them feel like they’re never at peace. Attempting to reclaim that narrative means someone is making progress.
5. ‘What other people think doesn’t define me’
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Worrying about other people’s opinions is another thing that it’s not really possible to turn off, but people can choose to reframe it in a really powerful way.
Everyone has opinions about everyone they meet. People who dwell on that are destroying their self-esteem. Instead, strong people accept that as the truth, but don’t obsess about what’s on others’ minds and try to make them like them more.
6. ‘I can learn from my mistakes’
No one is perfect, but people are still way too hard on themselves when they mess up. They treat every mistake as some kind of life-defining failure instead of a learning opportunity.
Research has shown that people who are able to turn that idea around and use their mistakes as something they can learn from are actually more likely to learn more in general, whether it’s related to their mistakes or not. That might be the best way for people to become stronger in every aspect of their lives.
7. ‘I’m still growing, even when it feels uncomfortable’
Trying to avoid anything that hurts is a natural human response. It’s not hard to understand why that feels like the right thing to do. No one wants to put themselves through pain on purpose. Unfortunately, that instinct holds a lot of people back.
There’s really no way to grow in any area of life without feeling really uncomfortable in the process. No one can get stronger if they’re always trying to protect themselves. It’s not easy, but people who are willing to go on that journey regularly remind themselves that it’s worth it.
8. ‘Not everything deserves a response’
The strongest people are the ones who can accept that some things simply don’t need to be dignified with a response. If someone starts a rumor or makes an accusation, most people want to get defensive and tell their side of the story.
The idea that silence can speak louder than words isn’t just a cliché, though. Being strong is about knowing when to pick your battles. Some people just don’t need to be acknowledged at all.
9. ‘I can love someone without losing sight of myself’
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Many people confuse being committed to any kind of relationship with letting go of themselves. Unconditional love doesn’t mean someone has to give up their whole life, though. They shouldn’t convince themselves their own needs aren’t important so they can be there for someone else.
This is a hard lesson to learn, but people who do really are gaining a level of mental and emotional strength that the average person just can’t understand.
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics.
