60 Inner Strength Quotes To Lift You Up When Feeling Defeated In Your Relationship
Almost every relationship goes through tough times, but the feeling of defeat that sometimes arises at these times doesn't have to last forever. Often, one of the best ways to overcome these feelings is to seek professional help from a relationship counselor.
Relationship counseling might sound overwhelming, but it can be an effective tool to help individuals communicate better and solve problems with each other. For example, a counselor might play the role of mediator or offer advice on handling situations that work for both partners.
But you might want or need a more immediate way to lift your spirits, and finding motivation and healing in the experiences of others is one way to go about this. This article features inner strength quotes that help you capture these experiences and overcome feelings of defeat in your relationship.
Finding your inner strength will likely require more than reading life quotes, but they might help as a pick-me-up to get you started.
Direct inner strength quotes
Inner strength quotes that are more direct don't often require as much consideration to understand. The point is usually in clear and concise words, which might be what you need when you're feeling defeated. The following quotes are direct inner strength quotes that can motivate you:
"Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out." – Katherine Dunham
"Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them, we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger. Instead of getting angry, nurture a deep caring and respect for troublemakers because by creating such trying circumstances, they provide us with invaluable opportunities to practice tolerance and patience." – Dalai Lama
"A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep." – Vernon Howard
"No matter what kind of challenges or difficulties or painful situations you go through in your life, we all have something deep within us that we can reach down and find the inner strength to get through them." – Alana Stewart
"I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time." – Anna Freud
"You have to look inside yourself and find your inner strength, and say, 'I'm proud of what I am and who I am.'" – Mariah Carey
"As we advance in life, it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed." – Vincent van Gogh
"It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty." – Dalai Lama
"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity." – Louis Pasteur
"We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down." – Eleanor Roosevelt
"When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." – Peter Marshall
"For what it's worth: it's never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you find you're not, I hope you have the strength to start over again." – F. Scott Fitzgerald
"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity." – Albert Schweitzer
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'" – Eleanor Roosevelt
"He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions." – Louisa May Alcott
"Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence." – Dalai Lama
"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths." – Arnold Schwarzenegger
"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection." – Leonardo da Vinci
"Be strong. Live honorably and with dignity. When you don't think you can – hold on." – James Frey
"Joy will still find me here." – Morgan Harper Nichols
"If you have no struggles, you'll have no strength." – Tim Fargo
"Strength of mind is exercise, not rest." – Alexander Pope
"The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you." – Unknown
"I realized that my strength was being different." – Betsey Johnson
"Being mentally strong doesn't mean you won't feel afraid. Instead, mental strength is about feeling afraid and doing it anyway." – Amy Morin
"Stay strong. Stand up. Have a voice." – Shawn Johnson
"The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about." – Unknown
"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict." – William Ellery Channing
"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't." – Rikki Rogers
"I've never met a strong person with an easy past." – Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee)
"Leverage the strength that you have: that no one else can be you." – Todd Wheatland
"Perhaps I am stronger than I think." – Thomas Merton
"Smiles can hide so much; fear, pain, sadness, tears. But then again, they reflect one thing: strength." – Unknown
"We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward." – Isabel Allende
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." – Harriet Tubman
Indirect inner strength quotes
Direct quotes are often easier to parse in the moment, but indirect quotes get us to think more deeply about the topic. For example, they may not mention the term "strength," but they do allude to the subject. Despite challenges in your relationship, we hope these quotes can help you feel better about your situation:
"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within." – Maya Angelou
"Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you." – Ovid
"Falling down is an accident. Staying down is a choice." – Unknown
"You will never do anything in the world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." – Aristotle
"Life is a storm that will test you unceasingly. Don't wait for calm waters that may not arrive. Derive purpose from resilience. Learn to sail the raging sea." – The Stoic Emperor
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." – Joseph Kennedy
"This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble." – Ludwig van Beethoven
"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!" – Dr. Seuss
"Storms make trees take deeper roots." – Unknown
"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." – John C. Maxwell
"Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, no matter how difficult, no matter how unfair, you will do more than simply survive. You will thrive in spite of it." – Joel Osteen
"Remember that guy that gave up? Neither does anyone else." – Unknown
"In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity." – Albert Einstein
"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me." – Joshua Graham
"This, too shall pass away." – Ella Wheeler Wilcox
"Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it." – Winston Churchill
"The only thing that can stop me, is me." – Unknown
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." – Robert H. Schuller
"You are never given anything in this world that you can't handle." – Unknown
"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." – Abraham Lincoln
"Throw me to the wolves, and I will return leading the pack." – Seneca
" Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise." – Unknown
"Growth is overrated. Endurance is underrated." – Shane Parrish
"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me, there lay an invincible summer." – Albert Camus
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” Maya Angelou
Work through relationship challenges with a therapist's support
Although these quotes may have helped to lift you up, they are not likely to solve all of your relationship issues. For that, it's often more practical to handle your problems by communicating with your partner. And if communication is a challenge in your relationship, a counselor may offer an effective way to move forward.
Counseling can help you as an individual or you and your partner as a couple. And whichever route you choose, you can rest assured knowing that therapy offers proven benefits like improved communication and collaboration skills. And if you and your partner have busy schedules, online therapy is a convenient solution that's just as effective as in-person options.
If you're ready to begin your therapy journey, Regain is here to help. We'll match you with a licensed professional based on your preferences and needs, and you can have sessions on your schedule. In addition, you can connect with your therapist via in-app voice, video, or chat from any device with an internet connection, allowing you and your partner more flexibility as you work on your relationship.
In the meantime, we hope you can find your inner strength and beat the defeat.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are some powerful quotes?
You’ve likely heard many famous quotes used as motivational quotes such as, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” which was said by Friedrich Nietzsche. There are a ton of famous quotes, happy quotes, and powerful quotes out there, however, and the one that you prefer or find the most powerful will depend on who you are and what you are looking for when it comes to famous quotes, happy quotes, powerful quotes, or motivational quotes. Motivational quotes and similar phrases or quotes are widespread, so whether you’re looking for general quotes about life or quotes about inner strength, there are a ton of famous quotes out there to choose from. If you’re looking for powerful quotes that can help you find strength, here’s a list of famous quotes to consider:
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa
“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
“The sun shines not on us but in us.” – John Muir
“Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.” – Richard E. Byrd
“The world breaks everyone and afterward some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway
Famous quotes about life and other topics often give pieces of knowledge or advice in a digestible format, which is why so many people gravitate toward them. There are famous happy quotes, motivational quotes, quotes about life, and inspirational quotes out there for everyone. You can find happy quotes and quotes about life that pertain to love and relationships specifically, or you can look for general quotes about life that motivate you and get you going.
How do you find strength inside yourself?
Here are some powerful quotes that can help you find the inner strength inside yourself:
“Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.” – Katherine Dunham
“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” – Otto Ran
“Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.” – Richard E. Byrd
“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.” – Vincent Van Gogh
What can I say to give someone strength?
This will depend largely based on what they are struggling with. First, you want to ask whether they want someone to simply listen, or if they want advice. Sometimes, a person will simply want someone else to be there and listen rather than necessarily wanting advice or guidance. If someone is struggling with their inner self, after you listen to what they have to say, you may talk about their positive traits. Tell them what you like about them, and I asked if they can challenge the thoughts they have about not liking themselves. Additionally, remember that you are not someone’s therapist. It’s important to have friends and loved ones for social support, but it cannot replace the help of a licensed mental health professional. The role of a friend is to be there; not to solve a problem that you can’t fix.
If you have consent from your friend or loved one, and you have a quote that you think they would enjoy, you may send quotes their way to help them find inner strength. You might send them positive quotes, uplighting, happy quotes, or powerful quotes alongside a text that says “thinking of you,” for example. Pick the happy quotes, powerful quotes, famous quotes, or quotes about life you send based on what your friend or loved one will like and resonate with. Don’t send anything potentially offensive or that would make it look as though you are brushing them off. Here are some powerful quotes to choose from:
“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.” – Vincent Van Gogh
“Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.” – Richard E. Byrd
“Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.” – Katherine Dunham
“The world breaks everyone and afterward some are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway
Depending on the situation, you might even send a friend a card with powerful quotes, happy quotes, or quotes about life and inner strength inside. Some cards and postcards have happy quotes or famous quotes or quotes about life inside already, but if you can’t find one, you might write them at the end of your message or make a piece of art to stick inside or a card for them yourself.
How do I heal my inner self?
While quotes such as “As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed” (Vincent Van Gogh) can help steer you in the right direction, they can’t do it all. If you’re struggling to heal your inner self or an aspect of it, first, know that it’s okay. It doesn’t mean that anything is wrong with you or that you’re broken; this is something that many people go through in some capacity. Seeing a therapist or counselor can help you to work through the concerns you have in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Inner child work can be extremely healing when you want to find strength, as can implementing positive self-talk and working to challenge negative or maladaptive thoughts.
How do I connect with my inner self?
Here are some ways to connect with your inner self:
- Spend time alone. This doesn’t mean that you need to isolate; social support is an important part of emotional and physical wellbeing, and you do not need to neglect it. At the same time, spending time alone is a powerful way to connect with and strengthen your inner self.
- Focus on inner child work.
- Think about what you really want. Without external influences and judgements, who are you? What do you really want? How do you want to feel? How can you give that to yourself?
Whether or not you use famous quotes about life, powerful quotes about strength and confidence, happy quotes, and motivational quotes to help you find strength, it is possible to gain strength and confidence. One thing that’s important to remember on the path to gain strength and confidence is to know that it doesn’t happen overnight. When you work to gain strength and confidence, it is a process. While happy quotes and famous quotes about life can give you perspective, they can’t replace professional support. Keep the quotes that inspire you around, whether that’s “The world breaks everyone and afterward some are strong at the broken places.” (Ernest Hemingway), “Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used” (Richard E. Byrd) or “As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed” (Vincent Van Gogh), and don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. You can find the inner strength inside and feel confident in yourself and your relationships.
How do you feel inner strength?
What is the key to inner peace?
How important is inner strength?
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