This post discusses 50 positive quotes for when you’re feeling down.
No matter how optimistic you are, bad days still come around every now and then.
In these moments, you need something to gently shift your perspective and inspire you to keep moving forward.
And a thoughtful word or phrase can do just that.
So, in this post, we’re sharing 50 positive quotes for those days when you’re feeling a little low and could use a kind and gentle pick-me-up.
Why It’s Important to Stay Positive
Choosing to stay positive isn’t about ignoring your challenges or pretending everything is okay when it’s not.
It’s about facing obstacles with encouragement, resilience, and the belief that things can—and will—get better.
In fact, there are numerous psychological and physical benefits to adopting a positive outlook on life.
Staying positive can lower stress levels, which in turn reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses.
Optimism has also been linked to a stronger immune system, increased longevity, and an overall healthier lifestyle.
Some studies even associate positive thinking with enhanced neuroplasticity, meaning that repeating uplifting thoughts can help reshape the brain’s neural pathways.
This strengthens feelings of joy, gratitude, and motivation while improving mental clarity and emotional resilience.
But perhaps most importantly, a more optimistic outlook has been shown to help reduce negativity, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.
How to Start Thinking More Positively
If you want to reduce your negative thoughts and think more positively, the process is pretty straightforward. Simply create a new habit that centers around optimism.
Begin by identifying areas in your life where you tend to focus more on negativity.
This could be in your personal life, such as with certain relationships, at work with specific tasks or co-workers, or even during quiet moments alone.
Once you’ve found the area, make a conscious effort to bring more positivity into it, especially through your words.
Positive self-talk is essential to your emotional well-being. Try to notice when you’re being pessimistic and gently replace those thoughts with kind, encouraging words.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid saying anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else. If you do notice a negative thought, don’t shy away from it.
Instead, look at it from a more rational perspective and gently break it down. Then, flood your mind with positivity—whether in the form of affirmations, prayers, mantras, or quotes.
Also, be sure to check in with yourself regularly, which helps you stay mindful of how you’re thinking.
Lastly, surround yourself with positive people who will cheer you on and support your journey toward optimism.
Positive Quotes For When You’re Feeling Down
If you’re looking to bring more optimism and gratitude into your life, try repeating the positive quotes below.
They’re especially helpful during moments when you’re feeling low and could use a little extra encouragement.
Short Positive Quotes
These short positive quotes may only be one line long, but they carry a lot of insight.
And since they’re bite-sized, they’re easy to keep close—whether in a journal, on your mirror, or tucked into your day.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there. — Theodore Roosevelt
Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. — Jennifer Lee
Happiness depends upon ourselves. — Aristotle
Embrace the glorious mess that you are. — Elizabeth Gilbert
You are enough just as you are.— Meghan Markle
What you think, you become. — Buddha
Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive. — Hafiz
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. — Arthur Ashe
Nothing is worth more than this day. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Let your smile change the world. — Connie Stevens
Positive Quotes About Life
If you’re looking for a little guidance on how to live well, these positive quotes about life are a great place to start.
They’re simple reminders to be grateful, stay present, and not take things too seriously.
Life is about making an impact, not making an income. — Kevin Kruse
Live life fully while you’re here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. — Anthony Robbins
Life’s too mysterious to take too serious. — Mary Engelbreit
A good life is a collection of happy moments. — Dennis Waitley
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy — Thich Nhat Hanh
Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet — Sarah Louise Delany
You are the universe experiencing itself. To realize this is to be at peace with the flow of life, embracing change as the only constant and letting go of the illusion of control. — Alan Watts
Life does not owe you anything because life has already given you everything — Ralph Marston
You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you — Dan Millman
Life is short, smile while you still have teeth. — Mallory Hopkins
Positive Quotes For the Day
If you’re looking for positive quotes for the day to add to your journal or calendar, these are perfect for you.
Today is a perfect day to start living your dreams — Lisa Lieberman-Wang
Rise up, start fresh, see the bright opportunity in each new day — Richelle E. Goodrich
Each good morning we are born again, what we do today is what matters most — Jack Kornfield
Today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope — Kalidasa
A new day: Be open enough to see the opportunities. Be wise enough to be grateful. Be courageous enough to be happy — Steve Maraboli
Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life — Yoko Ono
Don’t ever confuse the two, your life and your work. The second is only part of the first. So go out and live your life. Do the things that make your soul shine. Spend time with people who make you feel alive — Anna Quindlen
When you wake up each morning, let gratitude be your first thought. Let joy be your second. And let hope carry you through the rest of the day — Brianna Wiest
Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile, and start again. Life is not about perfection, it’s about progress — Karen Salmansohn
Begin each day as if it were on purpose — Mary Anne Radmacher
Funny Positive Quotes
Looking for words of wisdom that are both uplifting and lighthearted? Check out these funny positive quotes below — they’ll lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face.
I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific — Lily Tomlin
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work — Thomas Edison
People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day — A.A. Milne
Be happy — it drives people crazy — Paulo Coelho
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once — Jennifer Yane
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces — Will Rogers
If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun — Katharine Hepburn
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort — Herm Albright
Motivation gets you going, but habit gets you there. Especially if that habit involves coffee — Jim Ryun
A day without sunshine is like, you know, night — Steve Martin
Positive Quotes For Work
Need a little motivation to stay focused and keep pushing forward? These positive quotes for work are here to spark inspiration and help you stay on track with your goals.
Hard work keeps the wrinkles out of the mind and spirit — Helena Rubinstein
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out — Robert Collier
Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results — James Allen
Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally — David Frost
Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise — Frank Ocean
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant — Robert Louis Stevenson
The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today — Elbert Hubbard
Hard work without talent is a shame, but talent without hard work is a tragedy — Robert Half
Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving — Conrad Hilton
The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more — Jonas Salk
Penny For Your Positive Thoughts?
As you can see, optimism brings powerful benefits—and it doesn’t take much to start shifting your mindset.
Let these positive quotes be a source of strength and encouragement, especially when life feels a little heavy.
If you have any questions, comments, or want to share your favorite quote, feel free to leave them below or reach out through my contact page. And as always, happy positive thinking!
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