30 Other Ways to Say ‘Hanging in There’ (With Examples)

Last updated: November 7, 2025 at 2:49 pm by Usman Bhatti

When someone asks how you’re doing during tough times, saying “hanging in there” often feels like the easiest way to respond. It expresses quiet resilience and the ability to keep going despite challenges. But sometimes, you want to say something a little more personal or heartfelt. That’s where this list of 30 other ways to say “hanging in there” can help — whether you’re writing to a friend, checking in at work, or offering comfort to someone who needs encouragement. These alternatives make your message sound more caring, sincere, and human.

What Does “Hanging in There” Mean?

The phrase “hanging in there” means doing your best to cope with a difficult situation, even if things aren’t easy. It shows strength, endurance, and quiet determination — the idea that you’re still standing, even when life is tough.

Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Hanging in There”?

Yes — “hanging in there” can be polite and professional, especially when used in casual workplace conversations. However, it may sound a little informal or emotionally distant in more serious settings. That’s why using other expressions can help you sound more thoughtful and empathetic, depending on the situation.

Pros or Cons of Saying “Hanging in There”

Pros:

• Shows quiet strength and persistence.
• Feels real and relatable.
• Works in both personal and casual professional contexts.

Cons:

• May sound overused or vague.
• Doesn’t fully express emotional depth.
• Might come off as dismissive in sensitive moments.

Synonyms For Hanging in There

1. Taking It One Day at a Time
2. Doing My Best
3. Managing Somehow
4. Holding On
5. Keeping My Head Above Water
6. Surviving the Chaos
7. Making It Through
8. Getting By
9. Staying Strong
10. Pushing Through
11. Hanging On
12. Coping as Best I Can
13. Still Standing
14. Taking It Slow
15. Doing Okay, All Things Considered
16. Keeping It Together
17. Staying Afloat
18. Getting Through It
19. Keeping My Chin Up
20. Staying Positive
21. Weathering the Storm
22. Staying Grounded
23. Keeping My Spirit Up
24. Still Going Strong
25. Taking It as It Comes
26. Moving Forward
27. Keeping Hope Alive
28. Staying on My Feet
29. Getting Back Up
30. Finding My Balance

1. Taking It One Day at a Time

Scenario: When life feels overwhelming and you’re focusing on small steps forward.

Examples:

• “I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
• “She’s taking it one day at a time and doing her best.”
• “We’re all taking it one day at a time right now.”

Tone: Calm and grounded.

Explanation: This phrase shows patience and acceptance, emphasizing steady progress without pressure.

2. Doing My Best

Scenario: When you’re trying hard despite difficulties.

Examples:

• “I’m doing my best to stay positive.”
• “He’s doing his best, and that’s what matters.”
• “We’re doing our best to keep things going.”

Tone: Honest and humble.

Explanation: A gentle and self-compassionate way to express effort without pretending everything’s fine.

3. Managing Somehow

Scenario: When things are tough, but you’re holding on.

Examples:

• “I’m managing somehow, thanks for asking.”
• “We’re managing somehow through all this chaos.”
• “She’s managing somehow, even with everything happening.”

Tone: Realistic and empathetic.

Explanation: Suggests quiet endurance and emotional honesty.

4. Holding On

Scenario: When you’re staying strong in challenging times.

Examples:

• “Just holding on and hoping for better days.”
• “He’s holding on through the struggle.”
• “We’re holding on together.”

Tone: Encouraging and hopeful.

Explanation: Expresses strength and determination in difficult moments.

5. Keeping My Head Above Water

Scenario: When you’re busy or stressed but still pushing through.

Examples:

• “Just keeping my head above water with work lately.”
• “She’s doing her best to keep her head above water.”
• “We’re barely keeping our heads above water, but we’ll get there.”

Tone: Honest and relatable.

Explanation: Perfect for when life feels like a lot but you’re surviving it.

6. Surviving the Chaos

Scenario: When life feels messy but you’re pushing through with humor.

Examples:

• “Just surviving the chaos of daily life.”
• “We’re surviving the chaos one cup of coffee at a time.”
• “She’s surviving the chaos with a smile.”

Tone: Lighthearted yet real.

Explanation: Adds a touch of humor while still acknowledging struggle.

7. Making It Through

Scenario: When you’re enduring a long or hard phase.

Examples:

• “Just making it through one challenge at a time.”
• “He’s making it through the tough days.”
• “We’re making it through, slowly but surely.”

Tone: Hopeful and steady.

Explanation: Highlights perseverance and faith in better days.

8. Getting By

Scenario: When things aren’t perfect, but you’re managing.

Examples:

• “I’m getting by, thanks for checking in.”
• “We’re getting by as best we can.”
• “She’s getting by, one day at a time.”

Tone: Simple and relatable.

Explanation: Honest but not overly emotional.

9. Staying Strong

Scenario: When you want to sound resilient and motivated.

Examples:

• “Just staying strong through it all.”
• “He’s staying strong for his family.”
• “We’re staying strong together.”

Tone: Empowering and positive.

Explanation: Great for encouraging yourself or others.

10. Pushing Through

Scenario: When facing a challenge but staying determined.

Examples:

• “I’m pushing through the tough times.”
• “We’re pushing through together.”
• “She’s pushing through despite the pain.”

Tone: Motivational.

Explanation: Reflects action, willpower, and focus.

11. Hanging On

Scenario: When you’re just managing to keep going.

Examples:

• “Just hanging on and waiting for better days.”
• “He’s hanging on by faith.”
• “We’re hanging on together.”

Tone: Gentle and heartfelt.

Explanation: A softer, more emotional version of “hanging in there.”

12. Coping as Best I Can

Scenario: When you’re being real about your emotional state.

Examples:

• “I’m coping as best I can.”
• “She’s coping as best she can with everything going on.”
• “We’re all coping as best we can.”

Tone: Honest and empathetic.

Explanation: Expresses vulnerability and effort.

13. Still Standing

Scenario: When you’ve been through a lot but remain strong.

Examples:

• “Still standing after all that.”
• “He’s still standing tall despite it all.”
• “We’re still standing together.”

Tone: Resilient and proud.

Explanation: Reflects strength and victory over hardship.

14. Taking It Slow

Scenario: When you’re recovering or processing something difficult.

Examples:

• “Just taking it slow these days.”
• “We’re taking it slow and being kind to ourselves.”
• “She’s taking it slow and healing.”

Tone: Gentle and mindful.

Explanation: Conveys self-care and patience.

15. Doing Okay, All Things Considered

Scenario: When things are hard but you’re maintaining perspective.

Examples:

• “I’m doing okay, all things considered.”
• “He’s doing okay, given the circumstances.”
• “We’re doing okay, all things considered.”

Tone: Balanced and realistic.

Explanation: Shows acceptance and gratitude.

16. Keeping It Together

Scenario: When you’re staying calm under pressure.

Examples:

• “Just keeping it together the best I can.”
• “She’s keeping it together despite everything.”
• “We’re keeping it together as a family.”

Tone: Honest and composed.

Explanation: Reflects quiet strength and emotional control while acknowledging challenges.

17. Staying Afloat

Scenario: When life feels heavy, but you’re managing to stay steady.

Examples:

• “Just staying afloat right now.”
• “We’re staying afloat with a little help from friends.”
• “She’s staying afloat through all the changes.”

Tone: Sincere and hopeful.

Explanation: Conveys the idea of survival and steady endurance through rough times.

Read More:30 Other Ways to Say ‘Sit Back and Relax’ (With Examples)

18. Getting Through It

Scenario: When you’re in the middle of a tough phase but confident you’ll overcome it.

Examples:

• “I’m getting through it, one day at a time.”
• “He’s getting through it slowly but surely.”
• “We’re all getting through it together.”

Tone: Supportive and realistic.

Explanation: Suggests progress and inner strength even when things are difficult.

19. Keeping My Chin Up

Scenario: When you want to stay optimistic despite struggles.

Examples:

• “Trying to keep my chin up through all of this.”
• “She’s keeping her chin up no matter what.”
• “We’re keeping our chins up and moving forward.”

Tone: Uplifting and brave.

Explanation: Reflects hope and determination to stay positive.

20. Staying Positive

Scenario: When you’re choosing to focus on the good side of things.

Examples:

• “Just staying positive and hoping for the best.”
• “He’s staying positive through recovery.”
• “We’re staying positive as a team.”

Tone: Encouraging and warm.

Explanation: Communicates optimism and an intentional focus on light amid difficulty.

21. Weathering the Storm

Scenario: When facing big challenges or emotional turmoil.

Examples:

• “We’re weathering the storm together.”
• “She’s weathering the storm with courage.”
• “I’m weathering the storm, slowly but surely.”

Tone: Resilient and poetic.

Explanation: A metaphor for surviving hardship with dignity and patience.

22. Staying Grounded

Scenario: When trying to stay calm and mindful.

Examples:

• “I’m staying grounded and focusing on what matters.”
• “She’s staying grounded through it all.”
• “We’re staying grounded as a family.”

Tone: Centered and reflective.

Explanation: Suggests inner balance and emotional stability during chaos.

23. Keeping My Spirit Up

Scenario: When you want to sound hopeful and emotionally strong.

Examples:

• “Just keeping my spirit up.”
• “He’s keeping his spirit up, even through pain.”
• “We’re keeping our spirits up together.”

Tone: Encouraging and heartfelt.

Explanation: Reflects strength of heart and willpower to stay motivated.

24. Still Going Strong

Scenario: When you’ve endured but still feel capable and confident.

Examples:

• “Still going strong despite the ups and downs.”
• “She’s still going strong at work.”
• “We’re still going strong as a family.”

Tone: Empowering and proud.

Explanation: Highlights resilience and determination after struggles.

25. Taking It as It Comes

Scenario: When life feels unpredictable and you’re staying flexible.

Examples:

• “Just taking it as it comes these days.”
• “He’s taking things as they come.”
• “We’re taking it as it comes, with grace.”

Tone: Relaxed and accepting.

Explanation: Shows adaptability and an easygoing attitude toward change.

26. Moving Forward

Scenario: When you’ve been through hardship but are healing.

Examples:

• “Just moving forward and trying to stay strong.”
• “She’s moving forward from a difficult time.”
• “We’re moving forward together.”

Tone: Hopeful and determined.

Explanation: Symbolizes recovery, growth, and optimism for the future.

27. Keeping Hope Alive

Scenario: When you’re holding onto faith or optimism through struggles.

Examples:

• “Just keeping hope alive.”
• “We’re keeping hope alive for better days.”
• “She’s keeping hope alive in her heart.”

Tone: Inspirational and compassionate.

Explanation: Encourages endurance through hope and belief in better outcomes.

28. Staying on My Feet

Scenario: When you’re doing your best not to fall apart.

Examples:

• “Just staying on my feet, one day at a time.”
• “He’s staying on his feet through everything.”
• “We’re staying on our feet despite the challenges.”

Tone: Strong and steady.

Explanation: Reflects courage and persistence through adversity.

29. Getting Back Up

Scenario: When you’ve faced setbacks but keep trying.

Examples:

• “I’m getting back up after a tough week.”
• “She’s getting back up stronger than ever.”
• “We’re getting back up and trying again.”

Tone: Motivational and uplifting.

Explanation: Emphasizes resilience and the courage to keep going after failure.

30. Finding My Balance

Scenario: When you’re trying to regain emotional or mental stability.

Examples:

• “Just finding my balance again.”
• “He’s finding his balance after everything that happened.”
• “We’re finding our balance as a family.”

Tone: Peaceful and mindful.

Explanation: Expresses healing, calm, and emotional renewal.

🌿 Conclusion

Life throws challenges our way, and sometimes, “hanging in there” doesn’t quite capture how we truly feel. Whether you’re “taking it one day at a time”, “keeping your chin up”, or “finding your balance”, each phrase offers a more personal way to express endurance and hope.