80 Best Quotes to Overcome Depression and Be Happy
Life can be tough. We all go through moments when the weight of the world feels too heavy, and the light at the end of the tunnel seems far away. Depression can make us feel stuck, lost, and powerless — but remember this: you are not alone.
Words have an incredible power to heal, inspire, and remind us that better days are ahead. Sometimes, a simple quote can spark hope and help us see life from a fresh perspective.
In this article, we’ve gathered 80 uplifting quotes to help you overcome depression, find strength, and rediscover happiness. Whether you’re looking for comfort, motivation, or a gentle reminder that you matter, these quotes are here for you.
Why Quotes Can Help You Through Hard Times
Before diving into the list, let’s understand why words are so powerful when dealing with depression:
- They shift your perspective – A few words can help you see life differently.
- They provide hope – Reminders that others have overcome similar struggles give us courage.
- They connect us – Knowing someone else felt the same way brings comfort and belonging.
- They inspire action – Motivational quotes can nudge us toward self-care and healing.
Now, let’s explore these powerful words of wisdom and encouragement.
Inspiring Quotes to Give You Hope
When you’re feeling low, hope can seem distant. These quotes are gentle reminders that your pain is temporary and brighter days are coming.
- “This too shall pass.” — Persian Proverb
- “Stars can’t shine without darkness.” — D.H. Sidebottom
- “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” — Victor Hugo
- “Sometimes, when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” — Christine Caine
- “Happiness can be found even in the darkest times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — J.K. Rowling
- “Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step.” — Mariska Hargitay
- “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” — Nido Qubein
- “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” — Aristotle
- “You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved.” — Mel Robbins
- “No storm, not even the one in your life, can last forever.” — Maya Angelou
Motivational Quotes to Keep Going
Sometimes, we just need a little push to keep moving forward, even when everything feels impossible.
- “Fall seven times and stand up eight.” — Japanese Proverb
- “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
- “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” — John Wooden
- “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” — Henry Ford
- “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
- “Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” — Steve Maraboli
- “You are stronger than you think.” — Les Brown
- “Keep walking through the storm. Your rainbow is waiting on the other side.” — Dolly Parton
- “Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.” — Zig Ziglar
- “Difficulties in life don’t come to destroy you but to help you realize your hidden potential.” — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Self-Love and Healing Quotes
Depression can make us feel unworthy, but self-love is a vital step toward healing.
- “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” — Buddha
- “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” — Brené Brown
- “Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the best you can.” — Anne Wilson Schaef
- “Loving yourself isn’t vanity; it’s sanity.” — Katrina Mayer
- “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” — Brené Brown
- “Healing begins when we learn to love ourselves as we are.” — Louise Hay
- “You are enough just as you are.” — Meghan Markle
- “Your worth is not measured by your productivity.” — Arianna Huffington
- “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” — Katie Reed
- “To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.” — Robert Morley
Happiness Quotes to Brighten Your Day
These quotes remind us that happiness often comes from within, not from external circumstances.
- “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
- “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” — John Lennon
- “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they make the best of everything.” — Sam Cawthorn
- “Do more things that make you forget to check your phone.” — Robin Sharma
- “Be happy not because everything is good, but because you can see the good in everything.” — Roy T. Bennett
- “Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like.” — Mandy Hale
- “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” — Dalai Lama
- “Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
- “Happiness is homemade.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “When you love what you have, you have everything you need.” — Confucius
Quotes About Strength and Resilience
When life knocks you down, these quotes will help you remember how strong you really are.
- “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” — Bob Marley
- “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling
- “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “You don’t have to control your thoughts; you just have to stop letting them control you.” — Dan Millman
- “Scars remind us where we’ve been. They don’t have to dictate where we’re going.” — David Rossi
- “Out of difficulties grow miracles.” — Jean de La Bruyère
- “Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.” — Rumi
- “Storms make trees take deeper roots.” — Dolly Parton
- “Your greatest strength may be revealed in your darkest hour.” — C.S. Lewis
Quotes to Remind You That You’re Not Alone
Depression can make us feel isolated, but these words remind us that others have walked this path too.
- “You are not alone. You are seen. I am with you. You are not alone.” — Shonda Rhimes
- “There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” — John Green
- “Sometimes, just being there for someone is enough.” — Malorie Blackman
- “You are never alone in this fight. Reach out.” — Demi Lovato
- “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” — Robin Williams
- “It’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all on your own.” — Michelle Obama
- “You are worthy of love, understanding, and support.” — Fred Rogers
- “Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls you.” — Akshay Dubey
- “Lean on others when you need to. That’s why we have each other.” — Audrey Hepburn
- “We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll
Quotes About New Beginnings and Moving Forward
When you’re ready to let go of the past, these quotes inspire you to embrace new chapters.
- “Every day is a second chance.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “Your future needs you. Your past doesn’t.” — Zig Ziglar
- “Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.” — Robert H. Schuller
- “Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.” — Mary Engelbreit
- “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” — Marilyn Monroe
- “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln
- “The secret of change is to focus all your energy on building the new.” — Socrates
- “Life is about change. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s beautiful, but most of the time, it’s both.” — Kristin Kreuk
- “Every sunset is an opportunity to reset.” — Richie Norton
- “Your journey is just beginning.” — Tony Robbins
Short Powerful Quotes to Lift Your Spirit
Sometimes, the smallest words make the biggest impact.
- “You matter.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “Breathe. You’re going to be okay.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
- “One day at a time.” — Linda S. Bogan
- “Choose hope.” — Christopher Reeve
- “Keep going.” — Winston Churchill
- “Be gentle with your heart.” — Andrea Gibson
- “It’s okay to rest.” — Shauna Niequist
- “Your story isn’t over.” — Nido Qubein
- “Progress, not perfection.” — Alan Cohen
- “You are enough.” — Brené Brown