20 Sayings That Hit Different When You’re Growing Through Life

I hear quotes, sayings, words, and all the things any —and everywhere—in books, online, passing conversations, and some just land like solid 10. Think an Olympic gymnast who stuck the mat to screams and cheers.

These sayings aren’t about hyping me up or giving me a big, gloating, bobble head. They’re more like nudges. Right-on-time ah-has, reminders, prompts, and a sprinkling of reality checks that stop me from derailing (too much), overthinking, or worse, shrinking when I shouldn’t.

Spring is here. Homegirl finally parked the struggle bus, but she still needs a minute to fully step out from behind the curtain, and take center stage. We’ll give her a few more minutes, but hurry up girl, we’re waiting!

And now that my awakening has really taken hold, they decided to add a war to the mix… and a hot mess that was already living through.

Can no breaks be given? Please!

And anything that can offer a glimmer of hope and positivity, around anything, then I’ll take it. Hear it, read it, write it, recite it.

I narrowed the ones scattered around my brain, notes, and journals down to this set of 20 – but by no means is this all of it. But starting with something, not everything, is still starting.

So here it begins. The first 20 I pulled out to share. The ones that do the damn thing to keep me honest with myself, grounded, and still moving forward.

Take what you need. What hits, hits. What sticks, sticks. No explanations. No second-guessing.

Self-Awareness: Reality Checks or Reality Slaps?

1. Spring energy hits different when you’ve been through some things—go at your pace.
2. People only see the outcome, not the impossible choices behind it.
3. Says who? Huh? Says who?
4. Your life doesn’t need to make sense to anyone else. That’s the point.
5. If it keeps crossing your mind, then how is it random?

Boundaries Up

6. If it messes with even a morsel of your peace, then the price is too damn high.
7. Don’t take criticism, or critique, from someone you wouldn’t trade places with.
8. Forget words, forget actions. Observe and trust habits.
9. Some doors close because you finally stopped forcing them open.
10. You can miss something and still know it’s not right for you anymore.

Motion Without the Commotion

11. That thing you keep avoiding? Yeah… that’s probably the answer.
12. You were built to try, not stay comfortable.
13. Don’t beg, don’t chase, and don’t explain your worth to anyone.
14. If it doesn’t add up, subtract. (Yes, Bee!)
15. Keep moving forward… even when it’s harder or messier than you imagined.

Big Age Growth Vibes

16. Consistency is hella boring and that’s precisely why it works.
17. You don’t need a full life reset. Start with one small shift, then another, and another.
18. Remember: You’ve handled harder seasons than this—don’t forget that.
19. You didn’t suddenly become “too much”—you just stopped shrinking.
20. You’re not reinventing shit—you’re revealing it.

Bonus: Once you see something for what it is, act immediately.

Told ya, I wasn’t about all the rah-rah nonsense. Just things to make you think, readjust, but just not stop.

The world is still going to be effed-up for longer than a frickin’ bit, and we’re all holding onto that tension in every part of our being… daily… no, hourly. Yet, we won’t (can’t) fold or just accept that this is just the way it is.

So weather-wise: shake off the winter slump, stretch into spring, and step forward. And for you, do it as bold, bright, and unapologetically you as you can.

We’re still here… trying to live well, do right by ourselves and others, and move towards better, in all the ways and with whatever motivation we can muster.