One of the tools I use to get me through my day are inspirational quotes.
Even as a small child, I was always fascinated by other people’s small anecdotal take on life summed up in a few short words. I would even write down, and keep a list of my favorite ones in my journal. Honestly, I enjoyed it, and spent a lot of time looking for quotes that were funny, smart, sweet, and sad.
Things have changed a lot since then. Where I use to read them for fun and leisure, now as an adult, I rely on them for inspiration and encouragement.
For me, it went from a fun hobby, to a much-needed source of emotional and mental sustenance I could constantly refer back to throughout my day.
In the midst of facing the constant ups and downs that day-to-day life can bring with it, it’s good to keep a few encouraging words with you to help fortify your soul and reaffirm your purpose.
Here are 21 inspirational quotes to remind you of who you are, where you are going, and what you want to achieve.
1. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” —Maya Angelou
2. “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” —Unknown
3. “You are not judged by the height you have risen, but from the depth you have climbed.” —Frederick Douglass
4. “It’s a slow process, but quitting won’t speed it up.” —Unknown
5. “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.” —Unknown
6. “Just because you aren’t where they are does not mean you don’t have what it takes.” —Unknown
7. “To dwell in the here and now does not mean you never think about the past or responsibly plan for the future. The idea is simply not to allow yourself to get lost in regrets about the past or worries about the future. If you are firmly grounded in the present moment, the past can be an object of inquiry, the object of your mindfulness and concentration. But you are still grounded in the present moment.” —Nhat Hanh
8. “Appreciate where you are in your journey even if it’s not where you want to be. Every season serves a purpose.” —Unknown
9. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” —Lao Tzu
10. “You will never always be motivated, so you must learn to be disciplined.” —Shubham Shrivastava
11. “No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow your progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” —Tony Robbins
12. “Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.” —Denis Waitley
13. “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” —Zig Ziglar
14. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Wishing is not enough; we must do.” —Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
15. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” —Og Mandino
16. “If you can’t outplay them, outwork them.” —Ben Hogan
17. “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” —Stephen King
18. “You’re a fighter. Look at everything you’ve overcome. Don’t give up now.” —Olivia Benson
19. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” —E.E. Cummings
20. “I believe that one defines oneself by reinvention. To not be like your parents. To not be like your friends. To be yourself. To cut yourself out of stone.” —Henry Rollins
21. “Your life is your own. Don’t waste it trying to be what others expect you to be. Don’t sacrifice your happiness to make everybody happy. Don’t give up on your dreams to build other people’s dreams. Your life is your own. Be who you want to be.” —Unknown
