Are you searching for some powerful life-changing phrases to inspire a better you? You’ve got company. Recently, someone took to an online forum to ask for their best examples fo these. Here is what they had to say.
1. “You Teach People How To Treat You.”
“You teach people how to treat you” is the number one discussed phrase in the thread, with many agreeing that this is true. However, one user adds that they’ve heard a deviation, “You train people how to treat you,” which carries the same sentiment.
2. “When People Show You Who They Really Are, Believe Them.”
“When people show you who they really are, believe them.” I’ve heard this phrase, and it’s honestly helped me to stop entertaining things I’m unwilling to tolerate. A mother explains she instructs her children in this belief often.
3. A Quote From Courtney Peppernell’s Book Pillow Thoughts.
“Then I am reminded that life will continue on, regardless of whether I choose to board the train or stay on the platform.” ― Courtney Peppernell, Pillow Thoughts. This beautiful sentiment was appreciated by many. One woman shares there is a movie called Look Both Ways on Netflix that explores this concept.
4. “You Have a 100% Track Record of Getting Through Bad Days.”
“You have a 100% track record of getting through bad days.” This one is a wonderful reminder that tomorrow will be better. Many women in the thread explain this as being helpful on depressive days when you need to practice self-care.
5. “You Don’t Want To Die, You Just Don’t Want To Live Your Current Life Anymore.”
‘You don’t want to die. You just don’t want to live your current life anymore.” One woman shares that her therapist taught her this, and it’s helped frame a new positive mindset. Several women in the forum identify with this statement.
Another explains she doesn’t want to die but doesn’t necessarily want to be alive anymore. “Some days, it is just too much.” Finally, a third states that when she confessed this to her therapist, her therapist said something that sticks with her, “that’s not an option.
6. “There’s Always a Million Reasons Not To Do Something.”
This user quotes Jan Levinson to Pam in The Office, “There’s always a million reasons not to do something.” Numerous women agree that its sentiment is accurate and motivating to take life on and stop making excuses.
7. “How You Spend Your Days Is How You Spend Your Life.”
“How you spend your days is how you spend your life” is a phrase one woman suggests changed her whole perspective. Another admits it helped her while experiencing burnout because she was living life focused only on ensuring her future self would be okay.
8. “Don’t Become a Public Success and a Private Failure.”
“Don’t become a public success and a private failure.” After hearing this phrase, a woman admits she appreciates the benefits of a proper work-life balance.
9. “If You Don’t Set the Boundaries, Someone Will Set Them for You.”
“If you don’t set the boundaries, someone will set them for you.” To add to that, you must stand by them after establishing them. A woman who escaped an abusive relationship shares that she now refers to her “boundaries as proximity mines.” They’re there to protect her, “but also an agreement that those who cross them are unwelcome.”
10. “Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys.”
“Not my circus, not my monkeys” is a perfect reminder about what are and aren’t your responsibilities. So the monkeys of someone else’s circus are solely their responsibility/not your responsibility. Others shared alliterations of the phrase, including, “Not my park, not my pigeons,” and “Not my pig, not my farm.” Finally, a woman explains it’s helped her with the dysfunction in her family.
11. “You Are the Company You Keep.”
“You are the company you keep” is something my father taught me in life, and it’s true. One user confesses, “It was graffiti, and I saw it from a bus. At the time, I was an addict, alcoholic, very, very messed up, and my associates were all the same and petty crooks.” Now six years later, they are clean, sober, and have a good job.
12. “Time Will Pass Either Way, So You May as Well Do It.”
“Time will pass either way, so you may as well do it.” One elaborates that those years are going to pass anyways. So you may as well come out of it certified in something. She has a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
13. “Worrying About Something Just Means You Suffer Twice.”
“Worrying about something means you suffer twice.” First from worrying about something and second when it actually happens. And worse, if it doesn’t happen (so often), you’ve worried for nothing. Worrying about it isn’t going to change the outcome. One notes, “Preoccupation with negative thoughts is using your imagination to hurt yourself.”
14. “The Only Person Upset by You Setting a Boundary Is the One Who Most Benefits From You Not Having Any.”
“The only person upset by you setting a boundary is the one who most benefits from you not having any.” Many women believe this to be so wise. A sober rockstar shares that she also sees this with her sobriety; the only people who seem unhappy or not excited for her — have drinking problems.
15. “Love Isn’t Pain; Codependency Is.”
“Love isn’t pain; codependency is.” Oof. This one hit a lot of women right in the guilty. One explains she wrote a poem entitled “Love Is Pain,” but someone replied with that statement, changing her whole perspective. Codependency can create a space for painful lessons.
16. “No,’ Is a Complete Sentence.”
“‘No,’ is a complete sentence.” This one hits home. Like many women in this thread, I sometimes have this unnecessary need to explain myself. But the truth is, saying “no” is enough, and you don’t owe anyone anything more than that.
17. “Just Because They Are Right, Doesn’t Mean That You Are Wrong.”
“Just because they are right doesn’t mean that you are wrong.” An introvert explains having trouble speaking up before. However, after hearing this statement, she reflected on it and has been speaking up and sharing her thoughts. Others note the beautiful sentiment in the phrase.
18. “There’s No Amount of Anxiety That Will Change What’s Going To Happen.”
“There’s no amount of anxiety that will change what’s going to happen.” As someone with a general anxiety disorder and a knack for overthinking, this one also registers true. One woman quoted John Steinbeck (author of Of Mice and Men), “I can’t do that. It’s too much – livin’ too many lives.
Up ahead, they’re a thousand lives we might live, but when it comes, it’ll only be one. If I go ahead on all of ’em, it’s too much. You got to live ahead ’cause you’re so young, but—it’s just the road goin’ by for me.”
19. “Your First Thought Is What You’ve Been Conditioned to Think; Your Second Thought Is Who You Are.”
“Your first thought is what you’ve been conditioned to think; your second thought is who you are.” One woman acknowledges it helped her understand why and be more forgiving of herself in instances where her first thought was a negative stereotype despite knowing that those things are usually wrong.
20. “Don’t Take Advice From People Who Don’t Have What You Want.”
“Don’t take advice from people who don’t have what you want.” This user explains that this motto has helped her weed out the junk and input people tell her when she’s trying to navigate her own path.
21. “Holding a Grudge Is Like Drinking Poison and Expecting the Other Person To Die.”
“Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” One advises that while this is great, she has to caution: it doesn’t mean you have to forgive someone or “allow harm to yourself.”
Furthermore, she suggests it’s still “appropriate to seek justice” and leave toxic people behind. I’d argue that you should forgive for your own peace of mind and to release the spiritual weight that not forgiving carries.
22. “If You Can’t Hide It. Point To It.”
“If you can’t hide it. Point to it.” This woman elaborates, “Own your awkwardness.” For example, laugh at your embarrassing mistakes. Don’t be ashamed of being you. We all have awkward moments. “Trying to hide it only makes it worse.”
23. “I Am Responsible for My Own Life.”
“I am responsible for my own life. Or, on the same note, “Nobody is going to care about you as much as you do.” Another woman shares that this expression has been applied to many things in her life. Furthermore, it’s helped her be accountable and celebrate her wins.
24. “You Have No Control Over How People See You, so You May as Well Just Be Yourself.”
“You have no control over how people see you, so you may as well just be yourself.” This statement is a great reminder always to be true to yourself.
25. “Not Everybody Is Going to Like You. But the Right Ones Will Love You.”
Finally, my dad always said, “Not everybody is going to like you. But the right ones will love you.” And that is a helpful way to always remain true to yourself. You can’t satisfy everyone, and you will spread yourself thin trying and can lose yourself completely if you’re not careful.
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This article was published and syndicated by Sober Healing.
Elizabeth Ervin is the owner of Sober Healing. She is a freelance writer passionate about opioid recovery and has celebrated breaking free since 09-27-2013. She advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to embrace healing, recovery, and Jesus.