How to Stay Mentally Strong When the World Feels Unstable
In my writing, I dig into what keeps individuals going when circumstances change. I’ve become interested in what sustains them when everything familiar seems to shift beneath their feet.
In my novels 'Scattered to the Winds' and 'Wings above the Wind,' (Grace's story.)
I chronicled families who lived through wars, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and personal tragedies that would test anyone’s resolve. What struck me most wasn’t their immunity to fear or doubt, but their ability to maintain their essential selves, their kindness, their purpose, their connections; even when the world around them felt fundamentally unreliable.
Mental strength, I’ve discovered, isn’t about developing an impenetrable shell against life’s uncertainties. Instead, it’s about cultivating the internal resources that allow us to remain steady and responsive rather than reactive when external circumstances feel chaotic. The strongest people I’ve written about understand that while they cannot control the storms, they can influence how they weather them.
Building Your Foundation Before the Storm
The families I’ve written about who showed the greatest mental strength during tough times all had one thing in common: they’d built up their mental strength way before things got too hard. Like Grace Murphy, whose daily rhythms of caring for her family and maintaining her home, or Gee Gerald's nightly cup of tea before bed, this is the foundation they built on when mental strength isn’t instantly available during a crisis. It’s built through countless small choices made during ordinary days.
This foundation begins with identifying what remains constant in your life regardless of external circumstances. It might be your morning routine that centres you before facing the day’s uncertainties, or a nightly routine acknowledging your gratitude for the day’s achievements, no matter how small. Perhaps it’s the relationships that endure regardless of what’s happening in the broader world. For many, including me, it’s the work or creative expression that provides meaning beyond immediate circumstances.
When I explored Dean Murphy’s journey in my novel, ‘Wings above the Wind’, I showed that he stayed grounded even when life got tough. The seasonal rhythms of farming, the daily care of animals, and the long-term perspective required for growing crops provided a sense of continuity that sustained him through personal losses and economic pressures. He was finding comfort in turning his attention to everyday routines.
The key is developing these anchor points intentionally, before you desperately need them. Consider what activities, relationships, or practices help you feel most like yourself. These become your refuge not because they shield you from difficulty, but because they remind you who you are when everything else feels uncertain.
What daily practices or routines currently serve as anchor points in your life, providing stability during uncertain times?
Key Takeaways
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Mental strength develops through practicing stability in small, everyday behaviours rather than waiting for major dilemmas to occur.
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Develop anchor points intentionally, before you desperately need them.