At age 99,Charlie Munger shared something simple yet profound: “The iron rule of life is: Everybody struggles … If you soldier through, you can get through almost anything. And it’s your only option.” He didn’t sugar-coat things—he acknowledged heartbreaking losses, such as the death of his young son and the loss of his eyesight—but he also insisted that grief, pain, and difficulty are part of life. As he put it in another interview, “you can be walking the streets, crying for a few hours a day … but you can’t quit” (Benzinga).

Psychology and resilience research echo Munger’s mindset. Studies published in Psychological Science show that people who reappraise adversity—seeing hardships as challenges rather than purely as threats—exhibit more emotional stability and less depression over time. A meta-analysis on post-traumatic growth indicates that reflecting on difficult life events can lead to stronger purpose, more compassion, and greater life satisfaction. Neuroscience also shows that resilient people rewire their brain’s stress response, building stronger prefrontal regulation and lowering chronic anxiety. Munger’s advice to “soldier through” mirrors findings that tolerating vulnerability—not suppressing it—helps you survive and grow.

Adopting a “soldier through” attitude doesn’t mean grim stoicism. It means being active in your resilience. Give yourself permission to feel by naming your emotions; journaling is powerful here, and apps likeDay One orPenzu offer private spaces to process loss, frustration, and grief. Find what you can learn from hardship by asking “What do I value now that I might not have before?” or “What relationships or strengths have emerged?” Cognitive reappraisal like this has been shown to reduce stress and improve well-being. Build a resilience toolkit that works for you—mindfulness or meditation apps likeHeadspace,Calm, orInsight Timer, gratitude practices throughGrateful orFive Minute Journal, and consistent physical movement to regulate mood and boost resilience.

Sharing grief or struggle can feel risky, but it often reduces the burden. Seek out support groups, therapists, or trusted friends. Even one person you check in with regularly can make a difference. Online platforms like7 Cups orTherapyDen help you connect with professionals or peers. When everything feels overwhelming, set tiny, doable goals—getting out of bed, completing a task, praying or meditating, or cooking a meal. These small wins build momentum. Over time, you’ll have created a habit of “soldiering through.”

Midlife and later years bring transitions: aging parents, health shifts, loss, changing careers or identity. It’s easy to mistake those times for signs that your best years are behind you. But research on aging shows that many people report higher life satisfaction in later decades when they embrace their full life story—including the struggle. They tend to show higher psychological well-being when they accept regrets, forgive themselves or others, and find purpose through adversity. Munger’s life models this: he lost loved ones, experienced setbacks, but continued to invest—not only financially but in ideas, philanthropy, and partnership. His repeated reminder, “Everybody struggles … You can cry all right … but you can’t quit” (Benzinga), reflects a mindset of acceptance paired with persistence.

You don’t have to be a billionaire to apply this mindset. You can be you, with your own losses, your own small victories. You can face hardship, feel grief, allow tears, but still stand up each morning and take the next step. That is resilience. That is purpose. What struggle are you experiencing right now, and what’s one tiny thing you can do today to “soldier through” it—feel the pain, see the lesson, and not give up?Join our community and share your story in the Age Brilliantly forum to connect with others building strength through life’s challenges.