Every now and then, we may feel the need for a sign, a kind gesture, or maybe just some words of wisdom. Quotes hold power. They are a form of storytelling. They are often spoken from the heart and (arguably) most importantly, they offer a unique perspective from one person’s life that just may impact several others out there. If you happen to be stressed, it may be a good time for some TLC tender loving self-care. Here are some encouraging words that may help you walk down the self-care aisle.
- “Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners.” - William Shakespeare
- “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” - Anne Lamott
- “Every one of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.” - Princess Diana
- “Self-care means giving yourself permission to pause.” - Cecilia Tran
- “Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future.” - Alice Walker
- “The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will.’ Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.” - Charles Dickens
- “Everything you need is wishing you the strength, courage, and confidence to change your life. You just need to look within yourself and find it.” - Amanda Rey
- “Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.” - Katherine Dunham
- “The secret to happiness is freedom. And the secret to freedom is courage.” - Thucydides
- “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius
- “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” - Maya Angelou
- “The sun shines not on us but in us.” - John Muir
- “Beautify your inner dialogue. Beautify your inner world with love, light, and compassion. Life will be beautiful.” - Amit Ray
- “Accept yourself, love yourself, and keep moving forward. If you want to fly, you have to give up what weighs you down.” - Roy T. Bennett
- “There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling leaves and remember that it is enough to be taken care of by myself.” - Brian Andreas
- “The challenge is not to be perfect—it is to be whole.” - Jane Fonda
- “When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” - Jean Shinoda Bolen
- “Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” - Anna Taylor
- “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” - John Lubbock
- “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” - Chuang Tzu
- “I’m too busy working on my own grass to notice if yours is greener.” - Unknown
- “It’s not your job to like me—it’s mine!” - Byron Katie
- “I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly.” - Oscar Wilde
- “Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I am.” - Harvey Specter
- “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” - Charles M. Schulz
- “Don’t doubt yourself, that’s what haters are for.” - Turcois Ominek
- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
- "The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”" - Exodus 33:14 NIV
In Sum
We hope some of the words of wisdom about self-care above left you feeling inspired, motivated, and compelled to take care of yourself today. We encourage you to take some of your favorite quotes from the list and write them down. And maybe, even go an extra step—put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or take a photo and use it as your phone wallpaper. Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have left with the knowledge and power to give yourself the care and love you deserve.
