If you’re at a low point—or just need some simple words to spark joy—check out these 23 uplifting words and quotes by people who know what it means to shine brighter than the darkness.
23 uplifting quotes and words
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“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
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“The first step is you have to say that you can.” — Will Smith
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“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” — Christopher Reeve
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“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” — Buddha
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“You are imperfect and wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” — Brene Brown
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“Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.” — Mario Fernandez
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“In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein
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“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.” — Les Brown
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“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” — Jim Rohn
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“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit
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“How wonderful it is that nobody need to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” — Anne Frank
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“People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” — Rob Siltanen
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“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever be dimmed.” — Doe Zantamata
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“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” — Groucho Marx
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“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” — Willie Nelson
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“There is only one way to avoid criticism. Do nothing. Be nothing. Say nothing.” — Aristotle
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“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” — John Wooden
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“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” — Duke Ellington
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“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers
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“Don’t worry about failures. Worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” — Jack Canfield
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“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” — Robert Louis Stevenson
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“Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.” — L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
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“For what it’s worth, it’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
Look at life through an optimistic lens
Every so often, life can get you down. Our many obligations become a burden that wears us down, making it hard to put a smile on—let alone get out of bed some days. Worse, it can become a perpetuating cycle: one that leads to depression and disassociation. That’s why it’s so important to turn to uplifting words when you’re feeling down. Sometimes, a positive sentiment is all it takes to pick yourself up and rediscover all the optimism life has to offer.
Discover your capacity for optimism
Life is filled with struggles and strife. It can be easy to get down on yourself or your situation when things aren’t going well. Instead of letting the bad times overwhelm you, seek comfort in inspirational and uplifting words! Instead of wallowing, seek out positivity.
Wise men and women throughout the ages have encountered the same struggles you’re facing today. Be sure to listen to their advice as you take stock of your own situation. With a little perspective and some words of solace, it’s easier to see the upside and the silver lining. You’ll quickly discover that even when things are bleak, you still have the capacity to be optimistic.
Use uplifting words to pick yourself up
The first and hardest step in overcoming life’s hard times is to avoid falling into a slump. When bad thing after bad thing keeps happening to you, turn to inspirational, uplifting quotes to brighten your mood and give you the power to soldier on.
You might be in for more bad times, but it’s easier to face them if you believe in yourself. A good quote, said by the right person, can put a fire in your belly and help you climb your way out of whatever hole you’re in so you can trudge on towards the good times.
Seize every opportunity to rise
Life may be filled with struggles, but it’s also filled with opportunities. There are plenty of inspirational, uplifting quotes for life that talk about the power of opportunity. Thus, overcoming the bad always starts by realizing the opportunity for good.
Instead of looking at the glass half empty, look at it as half-filled and ask yourself how you can make the most of a bad situation. Once you do that, your bad times will quickly be behind you.
Don’t be afraid to make a change
We all know how scary change can be. That doesn’t make it any less important, though! Most people won’t make changes until they’re forced to, which means you could be missing out on opportunities for betterment.
Take some time to read uplifting quotes for men and women to get familiar with change. You’ll quickly find that embracing change leads to better results—especially if you’re currently embroiled in a life filled with stress and setbacks. A good inspirational quote can go a long way in sparking your own decision to change.
Always believe in yourself
When life gets you down, it can be hard to believe in yourself. Self-confidence and self-assurance are often crippled by a streak of bad luck or hardship. It’s important not to forget that you’re a strong, capable person who can turn the tide in your favor!
All it takes is a little introspection and a few uplifting words. Jumpstart your self-worth by reading uplifting quotes for women and men to remind yourself that you have the power to control your own destiny.
Stand up to your struggles
There comes a time when you just have to say “enough is enough” and start to fight back when life hands you trouble. Stand up to your struggles!
If you need the strength to push back and overcome, don’t forget that there are tons of uplifting quotes for friends, family, coworkers and neighbors out there—all of whom can help you get through hard times.
Don’t fear failure
Picking yourself up and fighting back against life’s hardships is only the first phase of getting your life on a better track. To keep your momentum going, you need to adopt the drive to be better and accept failure as a part of life.
Carry around uplifting quotes for work, exercise, diet or anything else that feels like a burden. Remind yourself to be the best you can be. The right message can dispel doubt, inspire action, and help you confidently create the kind of life you want to lead—one with more happy times than bad ones.
Looking for more uplifting words?
Be sure to check out these uplifting quotes for even more inspiration. Remember that every personal journey starts with a single step and continues with each successive one. Whatever path you’re on, we’re here to support you. Sign up for weekly words of wisdom, and let’s get to your destination together, stronger.
