150 Quotes About Letting Go and Moving On to Find Your Peace

I remember a time when I held onto a mistake I made at work for months. It ate at me every morning, a heavy knot in my stomach that wouldn’t loosen. I was convinced that by replaying the moment, I could somehow change the outcome. It wasn’t until I read a simple line by Mary Oliver—“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this, too, was a gift”—that something finally shifted. I realized that my “box of darkness” wasn’t meant to be carried forever; it was meant to be opened, understood, and then set down.

Letting go isn’t about forgetting or pretending something didn’t happen. It’s about reaching a point where the past no longer has the power to dictate your present happiness. Whether you’re moving on from a relationship, a career path that didn’t work out, or just an old version of yourself, the process is rarely a straight line. It’s a series of small, intentional choices to breathe and look forward.

In my own journey, I’ve found that words have a way of acting like anchors during the storm of transition. These quotes about letting go aren’t just platitudes; they’re hard-won truths from people who have navigated their own losses and emerged with more clarity. Here is a collection of 150 quotes to help you find the strength to release what’s behind you and embrace what’s ahead.

Powerful Quotes About Letting Go of the Past

Releasing the past is perhaps one of the most difficult skills we have to learn. We often cling to what was because it’s familiar, even if it’s painful. I’ve spent many nights wondering “what if,” only to realize that those two words are the ultimate thieves of joy. These quotes remind us that the past is a place of reference, not a place of residence. If you’re struggling with previous chapters of your life, our collection of inspirational quotes about change and growth offers additional perspective on how to evolve.

“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” — Steve Maraboli

Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the handcuffs of the past. Without it, we stay tethered to moments that have long since ended.

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” — Lyndon B. Johnson

We cannot change what has already happened, but we have full agency over the choices we make today.

“Letting go doesn’t mean that you don’t care about someone anymore. It’s just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself.” — Deborah Reber

This realization was a turning point for me; accepting that I couldn’t control others’ actions brought an immense sense of peace.

“You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday’s junk.” — Louise Smith

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” — Walt Disney

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey

“The only thing a person can ever really do is keep moving forward. Take that big leap forward without hesitation, without once looking back. Simply forget the past and forge toward the future.” — Alyson Noel

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.” — Hermann Hesse

It takes a different kind of strength to open your hand and let something fall away than it does to keep gripping it until your knuckles turn white.

“One of the most courageous decisions you’ll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.” — Brigitte Nicole

“If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down.” — Toni Morrison

“The past is a ghost, the future a dream and all we ever have is now.” — Bill Cosby

“Your past does not equal your future.” — Tony Robbins

“Letting go is the willingess to change your beliefs in order to bring more peace and joy into your life instead of holding onto beliefs that bring pain and suffering.” — Hal Tipper

“You must be willing to let go of the life you planned so as to have the life that is waiting for you.” — Joseph Campbell

This is a beautiful reminder that our plans are often smaller than our possibilities.

“Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s a future.” — Daphne Rose Kingma

Moving On Quotes for Emotional Healing

Healing isn’t a destination; it’s a practice. When I was going through a particularly rough patch, I felt like I was failing if I didn’t feel “better” every single day. I had to learn that some days moving on just looks like getting out of bed and choosing not to dwell on the hurt. For more on navigating those difficult seasons, Psychology Today offers excellent resources on the emotional mechanics of letting go. These words are for the days when the heart feels heavy.

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” — Tori Amos

We often forget how much internal strength we’ve already demonstrated just by surviving the hard days.

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — Rumi

This classic wisdom suggests that our breaks and hurts are actually the openings for growth and understanding.

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” — Lou Holtz

Learning to carry our experiences with grace rather than bitterness makes all the difference in our healing journey.

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.” — Unknown

I’ve been guilty of this many times, stuck on a page that was written years ago while the rest of the book waited.

“Grudges are for those who may be too lazy to build their own monuments.” — Peter Ustinov

“Forgive yourself for the blind spots you had, which allowed them to betray you. Sometimes a good heart doesn’t see the bad.” — Unknown

This is a vital part of moving on—extending the same compassion to yourself that you give to others.

“Pain will leave you, when you let go.” — Jeremy Aldana

“Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions.” — Gerald G. Jampolsky

“To let go is to release the images and emotions, the grudges and fears, the clingings and disappointments of the past that bind our spirit.” — Jack Kornfield

“There is a fine line between honoring the past and losing yourself in it. You can acknowledge what you’ve been through without letting it define who you are.” — Unknown

“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” — Akshay Dubey

“The only way to get through pain is to go through it, not around it.” — Unknown

“Acceptance doesn’t mean you agree with what happened; it means you’ve decided to stop fighting reality so you can start living again.” — Unknown

Stopping the internal war against what “should have been” is the first real step toward peace.

“Your heart is a muscle, and sometimes you have to break it to make it stronger.” — Unknown

“The art of moving on is the art of realizing that you are enough, even without the things you lost.” — Unknown

Wise Words on Releasing What No Longer Serves You

As we grow, we often outgrow certain habits, relationships, and even versions of ourselves. I used to feel a sense of guilt for changing, as if I were betraying my past self. But I’ve learned that holding onto something just because you’ve invested time in it is a trap. If you’ve found yourself stuck in old patterns, our guide on quotes about learning from mistakes can help reframe those experiences as lessons. These quotes emphasize the necessity of pruning the old to make room for the new.

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” — Lao Tzu

Transforming into your next self requires shedding the skin of who you used to be.

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” — Paulo Coelho

Saying goodbye is an act of faith—faith that there is something else waiting for you on the other side of that door.

“Losing is not always a loss. Sometimes you have to lose the wrong things to find the right ones.” — Unknown

I’ve found that some of my “biggest failures” were actually just the universe clearing the path for something much better.

“Don’t stumble over something behind you.” — Seneca

It’s a simple image, but powerful. Why fall over a rock that’s already in your rearview mirror?

“The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go.” — Steve Maraboli

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” — Joseph Campbell

“Life is like a suitcase; you should only carry what you need. If you carry too much, you’ll never make it to your destination.” — Unknown

“Whatever comes, let it come, what stays let it stay, what goes let it go.” — Papaji

There is a profound freedom in this level of non-attachment, though it’s a daily practice to maintain.

“You don’t need strength to let go of something. What you really need is understanding.” — Guy Finley

“Sometimes the door closes because you’ve outgrown what’s behind it.” — Unknown

“Letting go is not a one-time thing, it’s something you have to do every day, over and over again.” — Dawson’s Creek

“The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” — Steve Maraboli

“Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it.” — Justin Timberlake

A bit blunt, perhaps, but sometimes we need that push to stop the mourning and start the building.

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” — Amelia Earhart

“Abundance is a process of letting go; that which is empty can receive.” — Bryant H. McGill

Emptying our hands of the old is the only way to be ready to catch the new opportunities that come our way.

Inspirational Quotes for Starting a New Chapter

There is something inherently hopeful about a fresh start. Whether it’s a New Year, a new job, or just a Tuesday morning where you decide to be different, the “new chapter” is where the magic happens. I remember starting this website; I had so many fears about whether anyone would care, but the excitement of the “new” eventually outweighed the comfort of the “old.” For more inspiration on fresh beginnings, see our inspirational quotes for new beginnings. To learn more about the philosophy of starting over, BrainyQuote provides a wide array of perspectives on new starts.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” — Seneca

We can’t have the sunrise without the sunset; endings are the necessary prerequisites for every start we’ve ever had.

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” — Meister Eckhart

There is a specific energy in a fresh start that we should learn to harness rather than fear.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates

Stop arguing with the past and start designing the future. That’s where your power truly lies.

“No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.” — Buddha

This is perhaps the most hopeful truth of the human experience—the “reset” button is always available to us.

“Each day is a new life. Seize it. Live it.” — Unknown

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu

“Don’t wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” — Alan Cohen

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” — J.P. Morgan

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise is an opportunity to begin again.” — Richie Norton

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” — Lao Tzu

I keep this quote pinned to my desk because it reminds me that even when things seem to be falling apart, they might be falling into place.

“It’s a hell of a thing, hanging on to something that’s already gone. If you let it go, you might find something better.” — Unknown

“The heavy burden of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again.” — Steve Jobs

Jobs spoke about how being fired from Apple was the best thing that ever happened to him because it freed him to be creative again.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” — Meister Eckhart

This mindset keeps us humble, curious, and open to the lessons that life is constantly trying to teach us.

Encouraging Sayings for Letting Go of Control

Many of us struggle with a need to control every outcome. I know I do. I used to think that if I just planned enough, I could avoid pain or disappointment. But life doesn’t work that way. Letting go of control isn’t about being passive; it’s about trusting the process and focusing on what you can actually influence. For deep insights into the psychology of control, Shawn Achor’s TED talk on happiness and perspective is a must-watch.

“In the process of letting go, you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.” — Deepak Chopra

When we stop trying to control how the world sees us, we finally have the space to see who we actually are.

“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.” — Sonia Ricotti

This three-part mantra is a perfect guide for anyone feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty.

“You can’t control everything. Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Let go a little and just let life happen.” — Kody Keplinger

The world won’t stop spinning if you take your hands off the wheel for a moment to catch your breath.

“Surrender is not a weakness, it is a total strength. It takes a lot of courage to surrender.” — Unknown

“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll

Since we can’t control the 10%, we should pour all of our energy into mastering the 90%.

“Let go of the need to control the outcome. Trust that the universe has a plan for you that is better than the one you have for yourself.” — Unknown

“The more you try to control something, the more it controls you. Free yourself, and let things take their natural course.” — Unknown

“Relax. Nothing is under control.” — Adi Da Samraj

This one always makes me laugh because it’s so jarringly true. The illusion of control is often what causes us the most stress.

“Some things are just meant to be, and some things are just meant to be let go.” — Unknown

“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.” — Epictetus

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” — Jimmy Dean

“Letting go of control is the ultimate act of self-love.” — Unknown

When you stop demanding that the world behave a certain way, you give yourself the gift of tranquility.

“When you release the need to control, you open the door to miracles.” — Unknown

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” — Alan Watts

“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold onto.” — Lao Tzu

Everything in the physical world is temporary; learning to flow with that transience is the secret to a peaceful life. For a more focused exploration of tranquility, our companion piece on quotes about letting go and peace offers additional paths to inner calm.

Mindful Quotes for Finding Peace in Letting Go

Peace isn’t the absence of trouble; it’s the presence of stillness within the trouble. Mindfulness has been a huge part of my own “letting go” process. It’s the practice of noticing the urge to cling or the urge to run, and simply staying present instead. These quotes reflect the quiet power of a mind that has decided to stop fighting the current.

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.” — Wayne Dyer

The gap between “what is” and “what should be” is where all of our suffering lives. Close the gap, and you find peace.

“To understand everything is to forgive everything.” — Gautama Buddha

When we truly understand the burdens others are carrying, it becomes much easier to let go of our grievances against them.

“Feelings are just visitors, let them come and go.” — Mooji

You don’t have to identify with every emotion that passes through you. You are the sky; the emotions are just clouds.

“Be the observer of your thoughts, not the slave to them.” — Unknown

I’ve found that simply naming a thought—“I’m having the thought that I failed”—creates enough distance to let that thought go.

“Silence is a source of great strength.” — Lao Tzu

“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” — Hermann Hesse

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” — Caroline Myss

“Don’t let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” — Dalai Lama

Your peace is your responsibility; don’t give the keys to your happiness to someone else to hold.

“Everything is temporary. Emotions, thoughts, people and scenery. Do not become attached, just flow with it.” — Unknown

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” — Buddha

Searching for peace in external circumstances is like trying to find the sun by looking at its reflection in a puddle.

“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything—anger, anxiety, or possessions—we cannot be free.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

“If you want peace, stop fighting. If you want freedom, stop resisting. If you want love, stop holding back.” — Unknown

“Whatever is meant for you will find you. Whatever isn’t, will fall away. Let it.” — Unknown

This is a powerful mantra for those of us who tend to over-fixate on specific outcomes or people.

Strength Quotes for Moving Forward with Confidence

Moving forward requires a specific kind of internal fire. It’s the decision that your future is worth more than your past. I’ve had to find this strength many times, often when I felt I had none left. But strength isn’t about being loud; it’s about the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger

Every time you choose to let go of a hurt rather than feed it, you are building your emotional muscles.

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius

This Stoic wisdom is the foundation of almost all modern resilience training.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Your growth is more important than your fear. Your peace is more important than your comfort.

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” — John D. Rockefeller

Sometimes we hold onto “good enough” because we’re terrified that if we let go, nothing else will come. But “great” requires space.

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese Proverb

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anaïs Nin

By letting go, you expand your world. By clinging, you shrink it down to the size of your old hurts.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky

You also miss 100% of the life you don’t live because you’re too busy staring at the door that closed.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” — George Addair

“Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.” — Unknown

This is the ultimate summary of the “moving on” philosophy. Your direction is forward; keep your eyes on the horizon.

Quotes on Letting Go of Relationships and Heartbreak

Perhaps the most painful form of letting go is when it involves another person. We invest our dreams, our time, and our vulnerability in others, and when that connection breaks, it can feel like a part of us has been amputated. I’ve been there, staring at a phone that wasn’t ringing, wondering where it all went wrong. But I’ve also seen the beautiful growth that happens after the rain.

“Some people think that it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s letting go.” — Unknown

The strongest thing you can do for yourself is to walk away from a table where respect is no longer being served.

“If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.” — Unknown

It’s a cliché for a reason—because it forces us to face the reality of what is actually ours to keep.

“You can’t change someone who doesn’t see a issue in their actions.” — Unknown

Letting go of the “savior” complex is a vital step in moving on from toxic or stagnant relationships.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss

It takes time to get to the “smiling” part, but acknowledging the value of the experience helps the healing process.

“Heartbreak is a blessing from God. It’s just His way of letting you realize He saved you from the wrong one.” — Unknown

“Sometimes you have to forget what you feel and remember what you deserve.” — Unknown

Our feelings are real, but they aren’t always telling us the truth about our worth or our needs.

“The heart was made to be broken.” — Oscar Wilde

Wilde wasn’t being pessimistic; he was noting that the heart’s capacity to break is proof of its capacity to love and feel deeply.

“Poisonous relationships can alter our perception. You can spend many years thinking you’re worthless. But you’re not worthless. You’re underappreciated.” — Steve Maraboli

“A bridge can still be built, even after it’s been burned.” — Unknown

While this is true, sometimes it’s better to just enjoy the view from your side of the river.

“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” — Ernest Hemingway

Moving on is often just the process of finding yourself again after you’ve been “lost” in someone else.

“Never love anyone who treats you like you’re ordinary.” — Oscar Wilde

“It’s better to be healthy alone than sick with someone else.” — Phil McGraw

“Don’t let someone who has done you wrong make you think there’s something wrong with you.” — Unknown

“The respect you show yourself by walking away is the foundation for the next great love of your life.” — Unknown

“Sometimes the only way to get a person’s attention is to stop giving them yours.” — Unknown

Letting Go of Regret and Mistakes

Regret is a heavy cloak to wear. I spent years beating myself up over a decision I made in my early twenties, thinking that if I just punished myself enough, I could make up for the error. But punishment isn’t the same as progress. Moving on from your own mistakes requires a level of self-compassion that can be incredibly hard to cultivate.

“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.” — Steve Maraboli

You are the architect of your future, not the prisoner of your past.

“Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is a shocking waste of energy; you can’t build on it; it’s only good for wallowing in.” — Katherine Mansfield

Energy spent on regret is energy that could be spent on creation. Choose wisely.

“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.” — Unknown

This is one of the most liberating thoughts I’ve ever encountered. We can only act based on the information we have at the time.

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” — Henry Ford

If you learned the lesson, the “mistake” has served its purpose. You can put it down now.

“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.” — Sydney J. Harris

“Don’t spend your life looking back at the things that went wrong. Spend it looking forward at the things that can go right.” — Unknown

“Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” — William James

“You can’t change what’s done, you can only change what you do next.” — Unknown

“I have no regrets. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t made those mistakes.” — Unknown

“Regret is an appalling waste of energy. You can’t build on it. It’s only good for wallowing in.” — Katherine Mansfield

“Don’t let your struggle become your identity.” — Unknown

You are a human being having a struggle, not a struggle in the shape of a human being.

“Mistakes are proof that you are trying.” — Unknown

“The past is a place of learning, not a place of living.” — Unknown

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey

This is the ultimate goal of letting go—extracting the wisdom and leaving the pain behind.

“It’s not about what you lost, it’s about what you do with what you have left.” — Unknown

Uplifting Quotes About the Freedom of Moving On

There is a specific kind of lightness that comes after the heavy lifting of letting go is done. It’s the moment you realize you haven’t thought about the “thing” in days, and when you do, it doesn’t sting anymore. I call this the “freedom phase.” It’s where you get to rediscover your own interests, your own voice, and your own path without the shadow of the past looming over you.

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” — Alan Watts

Instead of resisting the flow of life, we find peace by becoming part of it.

“When you let go, you create space for better things to enter your life.” — Unknown

This is the law of vacuum; life abhors a vacuum and will always seek to fill empty space with something new.

“The freedom of moving on is the freedom of becoming who you were always meant to be.” — Unknown

“Don’t look back with regret; look forward with hope.” — Unknown

“Your life is a canvas, and you are the artist. Don’t let someone else hold the brush.” — Unknown

“The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” — Plato

This applies to emotional wealth too—being content with the “little” of the present rather than the “much” of a painful past.

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” — Muhammad Ali

Moving on is a risk, but it’s the only risk worth taking if you want to be free.

“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” — Nelson Mandela

“The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.” — Unknown

“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” — Peter Hagerty

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama

One of those actions is the intentional choice to release what is no longer serving your happiness.

“The sun is new each day.” — Heraclitus

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.” — Audrey Hepburn

“Live for today, for tomorrow is another day.” — Unknown

“The world is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

By letting go of the distractions of the past, we sharpen our senses to the magic of the present.

Final Thoughts on Moving Forward

Letting go is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s one of the most courageous things a person can do. It requires us to face our fears of the unknown and trust that we have the internal resources to handle whatever comes next. I’ve found that the more I practice the art of releasing, the lighter my life becomes.

I hope these quotes have given you a bit of the “espresso shot” of wisdom you needed today. Remember that moving on doesn’t happen all at once; it happens in the small moments when you choose to focus on your breath, your goals, or the person standing right in front of you. You are stronger than you think, and your future is waiting for you with open arms.

Take it one day at a time. If you trip and find yourself re-reading an old chapter, don’t be hard on yourself. Just gently turn the page and start again. You’ve got this.