I think it’s fair to say that I love a good quote. Quotes can say things about how I’m thinking and feeling better than I can. Now, I know that sounds quite strange, because really we should be able to explain better than anything and anyone exactly how we are feeling. What I mean is that sometimes I feel I struggle to put together and put across to someone what is really going on. Quotes can hit the nail on the head and do so, so perfectly. They also are a good way of describing good times and bad times, but not only that, they can inspire and motivate you, as well as provoke thought. Whether it’s a reminder to embrace our true selves, a nudge to pursue our dreams, or a call to practice resilience, the right quote at the right moment can spark a shift in our mindset. In this post, I want to share some of my favourite quotes that have guided me on my journey of self-growth and reflection, and hopefully, some may help you in some way, too.
- “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” – Rikki Rogers
There have been and still are times when I felt overwhelmed or thought I couldn’t overcome a situation. One that sticks out to me the most that I faced was driving again. I broke down on top a hill once, and anxiety really kicked in. I can remember that time so vividly, and it was when I was driving home from work, and all of a sudden, my car just switched itself off when I went to move forward. With a lot of other companies on the industrial state finishing at the same time and people from my own workplace, there was such a long queue behind me and so much beeping before I knew it the tears started flowing and I was flooding my engine which was making things worse trying to start it up again. Thankfully, a lovely lady from work came to ask if I was ok and some lovely men across the road drinking outside the pub came and pushed my car from the hill to across the road. One of the men actually stayed with me, trying to calm me down until my mum arrived, and I will forever be thankful to that person. Turns out my car needed a new battery, and I didn’t really drive after that.
I remember not wanting to go to work the next day because I felt so embarrassed. That happened when I was 19, and I didn’t drive again until I was 25. I remember my parents having a chat with me, I had just come out of a relationship, and they were encouraging me to get driving again. I actually bought a car in lockdown without seeing it or test driving it, and when restrictions were lifted a little, we went and picked it up. This is a quote that comes up repeatedly in my life and one that I have saved on my phone. I remember seeing this after I picked up my car and thinking, “What have I done?” My stepdad said he would sit in the car with me as many times it would take for me to feel confident again to drive on my own and it really didn’t take that long, I was very pleasantly surprised! Since then I have driven as far as Scotland, so this quote inspired me to keep going as I never thought I would have the strength and confidence within me to drive ever again but I’m so glad I took that risk.
2. “Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” – Unknown
This is definitely a quote I’ve been referring to a lot recently, and it’s always been one that sticks with me. I think, ever since a particular relationship, how I saw myself really took a beating. It took me a while to really change my mindset and to get out of the pattern of blaming myself. Unfortunately there is just not some very nice people out there and I could have been the most perfect person in the world and they would still have horrible things to say to me and treat me, and I recognise that now that actually how they saw me isn’t a true resemblance that person was going to hate me no matter what. I think in recent years, when someone has said something to me, I am taken back to that relationship at times and think oh maybe it is true, but I just try and change my mindset. I am not perfect, and I get things wrong, but you know yourself best, you know your values, etc, and it’s not your fault if others can’t see those things too.
I feel like this quote serves as a powerful reminder that our self-esteem should not be contingent upon the opinion of others. Each person possesses unique qualities and strengths that contribute to their value, and recognising this can foster a deeper sense of self-acceptance. We need to just embrace who we are regardless of others’ perceptions. Not everyone is going to like us, and that is completely fine.
3. “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn
I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of change. I think it’s because I associate change as bad or that it’s come from something bad. The last few years I’ve had a lot of big changes as well as small ones including a completely different change of career and moving to an area I do not know and I have changed as a person and part of that is due to the change of career. I have learnt that change is not something to be scared of, and actually, we should embrace the unknown as so many good things can come from it. It feels really good to finally be in a place to say that, that doesn’t mean I don’t still struggle because I do but when I look at change that has happened because of just life and change that has happened because of me, I know that through the nerves, some negative thoughts and anxiousness, I can and will get through it, because I’m stronger than I think, it just takes me a bit of time to really believe that. I understand that change is an essential part of personal growth.
I refer back to this quote as well it speaks a lot of truth, and things don’t get better through staying in comfort zones. They get a bit samey. We can’t just wait for things to happen. We have to be proactive to improve our lives. Embracing change can, in fact, lead to new opportunities and experiences to help us grow. When I reflect on my own journey, I realise that the moments when I chose to step out of my comfort zone and make changes were pivotal in shaping my path forward.
What are your favourite quotes?
Amy
littlemissminor.com 