100+Uplifting and Motivational Quotes for Depression & Anxiety

Struggling with depression or anxiety can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. Sometimes, a few powerful words can provide comfort, strength, and hope during tough moments. In this collection of 100+ motivational and uplifting quotes, we’ve gathered inspirational messages from thought leaders, authors, mental health advocates, and others who understand what it means to fight through emotional darkness.

Whether you’re seeking daily affirmations, calming thoughts, inspirational quotes or encouragement for anxiety and depression, these quotes are here to remind you that healing is possible, and brighter days are ahead.

Bookmark this list and come back whenever you need a boost—because even in your hardest moments, hope can be just a few words away.

motivational quotes for depression

When you’re facing depression, even small steps can feel like mountains. But remember—you’re stronger than your struggles. These motivational quotes are meant to inspire hope, inner strength, and the belief that better days are ahead.

• “You are not a burden. You have a burden—which by definition means it’s too heavy to carry on your own.” – Unknown
• “Out of difficulties grow miracles.” – Jean de La Bruyère
• “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller
• “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein
• “Sometimes, the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to. It’s not for them.” – Joubert Botha
• “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling
• “Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.” – Jacques Prévert
• “The darkest hour has only sixty minutes.” – Morris Mandel
• “You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” – Dan Millman

• “Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year.” – Unknown
• “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” – Margaret Thatcher
• “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” – John Green
• “Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.” – Mariska Hargitay
• “Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear.” – C.S. Lewis
• “The only way out is through.” – Robert Frost
• “Just because you feel lost doesn’t mean you are.” – Unknown
• “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo
• “This too shall pass.” – Persian Proverb
• “You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective—it just means you’re human.” – David Mitchell
• “Don’t be ashamed of your story—it will inspire others.” – Unknown
• “Take a deep breath. Inhale peace. Exhale doubt.” – Unknown
• “You are not broken. You are breaking through.” – Alex Myles
• “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.” – Naeem Callaway
• “Your illness does not define you. Your strength and courage does.” – Unknown
• “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Uplifting Quotes for depression and hard times

When life feels heavy and your mind is clouded by depression or emotional pain, uplifting words can offer a spark of light in the darkness. These quotes are meant to lift your spirit, soothe your soul, and remind you that no storm lasts forever. Let them be a gentle nudge toward healing, hope, and inner peace.

• “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in.” – Haruki Murakami
• “Every day may not be good… but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle
• “Sometimes, we just need someone to simply be there—not to fix anything, but to let us feel we are supported and not alone.” – Unknown
• “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay
• “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller
• “One small crack doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” – Linda Poindexter
• “You are stronger than you think, braver than you believe, and more loved than you know.” – A.A. Milne
• “Stars can’t shine without darkness.” – D.H. Sidebottom
• “The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” – C.C. Scott
• “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
• “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
• “It’s okay to not be okay. Just don’t give up.” – Unknown
• “Even broken crayons still color.” – Unknown
• “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
• “No rain, no flowers.” – Unknown

inspirational quotes for depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible—but you’re not alone, and your struggle does not define you. These inspirational quotes are here to remind you of your inner strength, resilience, and the courage it takes to keep going. Let these words serve as a gentle reminder that healing is possible and hope is never out of reach.

• “You don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, or anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a negative person—it makes you human.” – Lori Deschene
• “You are not your illness. You have an individual story to tell. You have a name, a history, a personality. Staying yourself is part of the battle.” – Julian Seifter
• “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
• “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” – Anonymous
• “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Feelings are just visitors. Let them come and go.” – Mooji
• “Breathe. You’re going to be okay. You’ve gotten through this before. You’ll get through it again.” – Unknown
• “You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.” – Unknown
• “You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.” – Unknown
• “Sometimes it’s okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.” – Yumi Sakugawa
• “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne (Christopher Robin)
• “You are enough, just as you are.” – Meghan Markle
• “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” – William James
• “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
• “Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.” – Walter Anderson

Positive Quotes for Depression Recovery

Recovering from depression is a journey—one that takes time, patience, and self-compassion. While there may be setbacks along the way, every step forward is a victory. These positive quotes for depression recovery are meant to encourage healing, spark hope, and remind you that brighter days are possible.

• “Recovery is not one and done. It is a lifelong journey that takes place one day, one step at a time.” – Toni Sorenson
• “Every day is a second chance.” – Unknown
• “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
• “Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls your life.” – Akshay Dubey
• “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost
• “Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the best you can.” – Unknown
• “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou
• “Small steps every day. That’s all it takes.” – Unknown
• “Recovery is an act of courage.” – Laura Parrott Perry
• “One day, you’ll tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide.” – Brené Brown
• “There is no shame in beginning again, for you get a chance to build something better this time.” – Unknown
• “You’ve already survived 100% of your worst days. You’re doing better than you think.” – Unknown
• “Progress, not perfection.” – Unknown
• “Sometimes we just need someone to simply say, ‘It’s okay to not be okay.’” – Unknown
• “You are growing, even when it doesn’t feel like it.” – Morgan Harper Nichols

Uplifting and motivational quotes for the depressed

These uplifting and motivational quotes are for anyone feeling lost, tired, or broken. They’re reminders that you matter, that your story isn’t over, and that strength doesn’t always look like confidence—sometimes it just looks like getting out of bed and trying again.

• “You’re not weak for struggling. You’re strong for continuing to fight.” – Unknown
• “You matter. You’re important. You’re loved. And your presence on this Earth makes a difference.” – Unknown
• “When you can’t look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark.” – Alice in Wonderland
• “Don’t let the hard days win.” – Sarah J. Maas
• “The fact that you’re still trying is proof of how strong you really are.” – Unknown
• “You are allowed to take your time. Healing is not a race.” – Unknown
• “Never give up on someone with mental illness. When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘We’, illness becomes wellness.” – Shannon L. Alder
• “Depression lies. It tells you you’ve always felt this way, and you always will. But you haven’t, and you won’t.” – Haley Morris-Cafiero
• “Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again.” – Lalah Delia
• “Your story isn’t over yet.” – Project Semicolon
• “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill
• “There’s something in you that the world needs.” – Unknown
• “You don’t have to see the light to keep moving toward it.” – Victoria Erickson
• “Even if you can’t see it now, the light is always there. Keep walking.” – Unknown
• “Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.” – John Greenleaf Whittier

motivational and inspirational quotes for sad people

Sometimes, all it takes is a few thoughtful words to spark hope and remind you that sadness is temporary—and you have the strength to rise above it. These motivational and inspirational quotes are here to gently encourage you to keep moving forward, embrace your feelings, and believe in better days ahead.

• “Sadness flies away on the wings of time.” – Jean de La Fontaine
• “Tears come from the heart and not from the brain.” – Leonardo da Vinci
• “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle
• “Sometimes you have to accept that some people can’t stay in your life. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be missed.” – Unknown
• “Your sadness is a gift. It is a signal to pause and re-evaluate.” – Unknown
• “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” – Mary Anne Radmacher
• “Sadness is but a wall between two gardens.” – Khalil Gibran
• “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes. Just don’t unpack and live there.” – Unknown
• “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” – Rumi
• “What brings us to tears, will lead us to grace.” – Bob Goff
• “Don’t be ashamed to weep; ‘tis right to grieve.” – William Shakespeare
• “This too shall pass.” – Persian Proverb
• “Sadness is a part of life, but so is joy. Both deserve your time and attention.” – Unknown
• “You don’t have to carry your sadness alone.” – Unknown
• “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo

Short Uplifting Quotes for Daily Affirmations

Starting your day with positive affirmations can transform your mindset and set the tone for success and happiness. These short uplifting quotes are perfect for quick daily reminders that you are strong, capable, and deserving of joy.

• “I am enough.”
• “Today, I choose hope.”
• “I am stronger than my struggles.”
• “This moment is my fresh start.”
• “I deserve peace and happiness.”
• “I am in charge of how I feel today.”
• “I release what no longer serves me.”
• “I grow through what I go through.”
• “I trust the process of life.”
• “I am worthy of love and kindness.”
• “Every day is a new beginning.”
• “I breathe in calm and breathe out tension.”
• “I am proud of how far I’ve come.”
• “I embrace the good in my life.”

Spiritual and Faith-Based Quotes for depression

When battling depression, faith and spirituality can provide a powerful source of comfort, strength, and hope. These spiritual and faith-based quotes remind us that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone. Through belief, prayer, and trust in a higher power, healing and peace are within reach.

• “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
• “Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” – Rabindranath Tagore
• “God gave us burdens to show us how strong we are.” – Unknown
• “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
• “Even the darkest night will end, and the light will shine.” – Victor Hugo
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
• “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2
• “Let your faith be bigger than your fear.” – Unknown
• “God doesn’t give you the people you want, He gives you the people you need.” – Unknown
• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” – John 14:27
• “Sometimes God calms the storm, sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.” – Unknown
• “Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
• “You are never alone, even in your darkest moments.” – Unknown
• “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:5
• “With God, all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

How to Use These Quotes

Quotes can be powerful tools for healing, motivation, and emotional support—especially when dealing with depression and anxiety. Here are some simple, effective ways to incorporate these quotes into your daily life to boost your mindset and find comfort when you need it most:

1. Create a Daily Affirmation Practice: Pick a new quote each morning to read aloud or write down. Let it set a positive intention for your day.
2. Use as Mindfulness Prompts: Reflect on a quote during meditation or quiet moments to center your thoughts and reduce anxiety.
3. Visual Reminders: Print or write your favorite quotes on sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them often—like your mirror, workspace, or phone wallpaper.
4. Journaling Inspiration: Use quotes as prompts to explore your feelings, track progress, or express gratitude and hope in your journal.
5. Share with Loved Ones: Sometimes, sharing an uplifting quote with a friend or family member can provide comfort to both of you.
6. Social Media Positivity: Post quotes that resonate with you to spread encouragement and connect with others facing similar challenges.
7. In Moments of Struggle: When feeling overwhelmed, read a few quotes slowly to remind yourself of your strength and resilience.

Remember, healing is a journey, and these quotes are here to support you every step of the way. Use them as gentle reminders that you are not alone, and that hope and recovery are possible.

If you’d like to read some more quotes about depression and other issues that are commonly related to it, then you may also be interested in the following articles we’ve written as well:

• Inspirational quotes for brightening your week
• Trust and believe quotes for inspiration

Conclusion

Living with depression and anxiety can be challenging, but remember—small moments of hope and encouragement can make a big difference. These motivational and uplifting quotes are here to inspire strength, resilience, and self-compassion on your journey toward healing.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed or lost, return to these words for comfort and motivation. Healing takes time, but with patience and support, brighter days are within reach. You are not alone, and every step forward is a step toward a better tomorrow.

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