Warmer days are finally here and it’s time to make the best out of the sunny weather. Perhaps it’s the longer days or the happy childhood memories but there’s something inspiring about summer that encourages you to improve your life. Don’t know where to start? Here is a list of top inspirational quotes that will give you an idea:
- “The cure for anything is salt water, sweat, tears, or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen
When we think of the summer season, we often associate it with happiness and being carefree but unfortunately, life isn’t always what we wish it to be and we might face challenges along the way. The reason why I find this quote so inspiring is that it helps me realize that there’s a solution to every problem; sure, some obstacles are impossible to overcome with water therapy and require more time and professional help but in most cases, the simple act of letting it all out or exercising can make us feel a lot better. This motivational quote is also a reminder to not avoid expressing your emotions – in order to deal with what you feel you have to accept it first.
- “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it's all that matters.” – Audrey Hepburn
Summer is a good time to make changes in your life, even if they scare you and might seem like a step back. This inspirational quote is perhaps the most popular words spoken by Audrey Hepburn and tells us that we should put our happiness first. And while the quote doesn’t say so explicitly, it implies that we should follow our hearts and make decisions based on what’s good for us, not on what other people think is good for us. I interpret it as the freedom to be who and what you want to be, which is what I think everyone needs to hear this summer season.
- “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” - Theodore Roosevelt
It’s a simple motivational quote but with a powerful message that should be at the back of our minds every day. A huge part of success in any area of life is believing in yourself; once you have faith in your abilities, you’re motivated to keep going despite the obstacles and you get to be excited about the process. While summer should be the time to take a break, it’s also a great opportunity to consider what you want from life and go after it. Life’s too short to postpone feeling fulfilled just because you aren’t sure if you can succeed.
- “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” - C.S. Lewis
On a similar note, remember that aspirations aren’t something reserved for youth. No matter how old you are and how long you’ve been doing your job, you can always change your profession, move to a new place and start from 0. The message behind these words of encouragement is clear: don’t let age or society’s judgement stop you from living the life you want and go after your dreams.
- “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – Harry Potter
This Harry Potter quote is a timeless reminder that it’s not enough to just fantasize about your dream. Letting yourself dwell on what could happen instead of taking action might prevent you from being in the present and make you unhappy in the process. If you never go from dreaming to doing, you might end up living with regret. If this quote speaks to you, take time to think about your values this summer and start working on turning your dreams into goals.
- "The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.” – Lion King
Even though Disney is primarily dedicated to children, it contains a lot of inspirational quotes and words of encouragement that every adult should take to heart. If you lead a stressful lifestyle, when you finally get to have days off during summer, you might find it difficult to relax instead of letting your mind wander, and find yourself thinking about the past. But if there are still memories that upset you, it might be a sign that it’s time to work through them either on your own or with the help of mental health professional. Don’t run from your past – learn from it and you’ll emerge as a stronger, wiser and happier version of yourself.
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- “It is easy to forget now, how effervescent and free we all felt that summer.” - Anna Godberson
This inspirational quote could be interpreted in many ways but to me, it speaks about how easy it is to forget happy moments when you’re having a difficult time. But if you look for them hard enough, there are a lot of snippets from the past that can give you hope that better times will come. If you struggle with seeing the positives, it might be a good idea to practice gratitude. Write down this quote on a piece of paper and stick it to the wall – then every time you lay your eyes on it remind yourself of what you’re grateful for in your life; your friends, family, the weather, your job and so on.
- “A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.” - Robert Orben
Another inspirational quote on the list is by writer Robert Orben and is about the importance of having a break. Unfortunately, we live in a hustle culture that values being busy and always improving above one’s mental wellbeing. This summer, it’s important to take a deep breath and let yourself simply be. Forget being productive, even if it’s just for a day, and make it your goal to do something enjoyable like reading a book or lying on the beach.
- “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” – Dalai Lama
This inspirational quote is straight to the point; if you start your day on the wrong foot, it sets the tone for the rest of the day, simple as that. Similarly, shifting your mindset first thing in the morning can put you in a better mood. Even if you wake up feeling content, try this simple exercise and think of something positive, such as nice weather or favourite food you’re going to treat yourself to later on. Summer is the best time to develop small habits like that so make sure you remember these words of encouragement.
- “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde
This motivational quote might seem to be overused – we’ve all been told to be ourselves at some point in our lives, but it’s pretty much on point. Pretending that you’re somebody you’re not won’t make you happy, even if it initially seems like the only way to make friends and professional connections. If you aren’t true to yourself, sooner or later, you’ll feel lonely and burnt out. If it's something you think you should work on, think about this quote and then consider what your strengths and weaknesses are. Remember, nobody is perfect and people actually warm up to you more if you show them your flaws once in a while.
- “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” – Thomas A. Edison
What makes a quote motivational is its ability to make you look at something from a different angle and this one does exactly that. Achievements aren’t always the measurement of success; it’s important to explore your options and find out what works and what doesn’t. A path to living a fulfilling life is never linear so even if it feels like you’re failing, remember to tell yourself that you’re still moving forward. Perhaps it's something to reflect on this summer.
- “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.” ― Kellie Elmore
If you have an appetite for adventure, I’m sure you know how to interpret this inspirational quote. To me, it refers to being spontaneous and carefree; deciding to set on a last-minute holiday, going to a shop wearing a pyjama and to collecting summer memories in general. If you’re wondering how to make your vacation more exciting, how about getting out of your comfort zone and doing something without a plan? It can be free or low-budget, such as going on a spontaneous date, reaching out to an old friend or walking into an interesting venue on a whim.
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- “It’s always summer somewhere.” —Lilly Pulitzer
When you’re feeling down, it might be comforting to know that somewhere somebody is having the best day of their lives; maybe they got their promotion, found love or their family member finally beat cancer. And more than anything, this motivational quote reminds us that it can’t rain forever and sooner or later, sunny days will come to you too. It can also be taken quite literally; if your current situation isn’t working out for you, moving to a warmer country is always an option. Maybe a change of scenery and more sun are just what you need.
- “You cannot save people, you can just love them.” — Anaïs Nin
This inspirational quote is an important lesson and words of encouragement in one. Sometimes love just isn’t enough to help someone who doesn’t want help. Additionally, it can be a great burden to care about someone deeply and know that they aren’t getting better but some things are out of your control and accepting that can often bring you peace. Remember, even if the person you love is struggling, it’s okay to let it go and prioritize your needs first. While some say that summer should be about summer love, sometimes it’s about heartbreak and that’s okay.
- “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha
Not everyone is welcoming this summer with optimism; some of us are still in the process of healing. If you’re trying to get over a painful experience, remember it takes time and there isn’t a right way to get better. However, you should also note that holding a grudge might significantly slow down your recovery. As this inspirational quote says, anger doesn’t serve you and might hurt you even more, just as if you were holding a hot coal. To focus on your healing, try to engage in self-care as much as possible; pamper yourself, do what you enjoy doing and stay surrounded by loved ones.
- “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. “ – Helen Keller
Another inspirational quote on the list is famous words by Helen Keller. They’re a reminder that materialistic things can’t make us feel fulfilled and we need something more profound instead. It’s also a reminder to value things like emotional connection, love and friendship. There’s some peace to knowing that you can be happy whenever you are – you just have to find that one thing that fills your heart with joy. If you haven’t found it yet, sign up for a class and learn a new skill.
- “I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
Some things are simply out of our control and working hard towards a goal might not always be enough; there might be bumps along the road here and there but it’s your attitude to an obstacle that determines your future success. As this motivational quote says, when things don’t go your way, you can always adjust your approach and keep trying. Eventually, there will be light in the tunnel.
Learn more about contributor, Joanna Cakala
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