Signs Someone’s NOT Mentally Strong, Just Acting Tough

We all love putting up a tough front, acting like nothing in this world has the power to bring us down. Although it is great, one can’t help but admit that for most people that’s all that it is.; an act. A false sense of high self-confidence. So how do we identify if it’s mental strength or just another false pretense?

In today’s article let’s take a look at some signs that will help us identify when someone is just acting tough and isn’t mentally strong.

Disclaimer- This article is for educational purposes and is based on personal opinions. This article is not a substitute for professional advice, but general guidance. We advise you to always listen to your intuition and always do what is right for you. If you can relate to any of these signs, please do not take this feedback as an attack on your character. This article is meant to be a self-improvement guide for those of you who have been feeling a little stuck.

Their self-worth depends purely on what others think of them.

Have you ever come across people who are constantly looking for reflective surfaces to make sure they look good just to please other people around them? No matter the context, these people are constantly worried about how others will perceive them.

People who put on a tough front, actually tend to care a lot about how they walk, talk, act, look, etc. Their self-worth is entirely based on what other people think of them.

Mentally strong people, on the other hand, aren’t concerned with proving themselves to anyone other than themselves. They are not trying to waste their time just to impress everyone around them. They’re not afraid to ask for help or appear different in front of someone. They’re motivated by a desire to get stronger and better.

They think that they can do anything.

In life, there are several different kinds of people, some who believe in themselves and know they can do anything and some others who only ‘think’ that they can do anything. People who are just acting tough happen to fall under the latter category of people.

While having a good sense of self-assurance is beneficial, acting ‘tough’ entails making sweeping declarations like, “I can do anything.” Acting tough leads to an overestimation of one’s talents and an underestimation of the effort required to achieve one’s objectives.

People that are mentally strong are well-prepared to face the realities of any situation. They’re aware of the various roadblocks they’ll face and the amount of effort they’ll need to put in to overcome them. They make well-calculated decisions and know their limits.

Hiding your insecurities.

It’s not to say that mentally strong people aren’t insecure, everyone has their own insecurities. However, the difference lies in the fact that someone who is mentally strong doesn’t have to hide their insecurities. Instead of suppressing their insecurities, mentally strong people will work on them.

Someone who is just acting tough will tend to hide behind a thick mask while they are pretending to be tough, as they are terrified of displaying their weakness or flaws.

It’s a mistake to believe that this is the simplest way to deal with their fears and insecurities because they’ll only be wasting their time attempting to hide their flaws.

woman applying makeup — Photo by Adrienn on Pexels.com

They don’t always express how they truly feel.

Acting tough entails being overly optimistic and confident and putting up with a false persona, which sooner or later, will backfire, especially when they are caught off guard by the realities they will face.

Even in difficult conditions, mentally strong people will find a good balance between being positive, negative, or realistic.

They try to control others.

People who act tough have a tendency to exert control over those around them. They will be bossy, demanding, and they will like having power over others.

People that are mentally strong also desire to be in charge of themselves. They are only interested in controlling their own thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and will never be interested in controlling external circumstances or people.

If you recognized any of these signs in yourself or in someone else you may find this article helpful: