15 Inspiring Quotes for Never Giving Up on Yourself

If you’re feeling worn out or lost, these 15 quotes for never giving up on yourself are like small lifelines—honest, gentle, and just what you might need today.

Gentle Reminder Before You Begin:

Some days don’t knock you over—they just quietly drain you. You’re not in crisis. But you’re tired. Mentally foggy. Like your spirit’s wearing worn-out socks.

On those days, I’ve learned to reach for words that remind me I can keep going—even if just barely.

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

I first saw this on a gym poster and rolled my eyes. A few days later, I was crying on my kitchen floor at 11:47 p.m. over something I don’t even remember now. This quote came back to me. I sat up, wiped my face with a tea towel, and thought, “Alright. One more round.” It’s not about style or confidence—it’s about staying in it.

2. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — (Usually) Winston Churchill

I read this one in a quiet corner of a library after quitting a job that made me feel invisible.

It reminded me that progress isn’t always loud or shiny. It’s often quiet, scrappy, and imperfect. But if you’re still going, it still counts.

3. “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.” — Sophia Bush

I've returned to this quote more times that I can count. It reminds me that growth doesn't cancel out worth—and that being unfinished doesn't mean you're failing. You can be proud of how far you've come and still be unsure of what's next. That doesn't make you a fraud. It makes you real.

4. “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

This one hits like a big hug. Especially after those days where your 'to-do' list is untouched, your hair’s a mess, your house is upside down, and your only real achievement is making it to bedtime.

Sometimes, that quiet “I’ll try again tomorrow” is the bravest thing you’ll say all day.

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

I mutter this to myself in all sorts of situations—waiting in queues, staring at my laptop, trying to eat healthily for more than three days in a row...

Slowness isn’t failure. It’s just your pace right now. You’re still moving. That’s what matters.

6. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” — J.K. Rowling

I didn’t get this one until I hit rock bottom myself. It doesn’t make it easier. But it helps you see that starting from zero isn’t the end—it’s a clean slate. You get to build differently this time.

7. “Keep going. No matter how bad things are right now, no matter how stuck you feel, no matter how many days you’ve spent crying—keep going.” — Unknown

I wrote this on a post-it during lockdown and stuck it to my mirror with washi tape.

It doesn’t offer answers. Just solidarity. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

8. “Don’t quit before the miracle.” — Unknown

I first heard this from a friend’s nan. It stuck because it’s gentle. Hopeful. The miracle might not be dramatic. It might just be waking up one day and realising things are not as heavy anymore. But you’ll miss it if you stop here.

9. “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Sounds dramatic, right? But honestly—this has been me on many a Tuesday.

Holding on doesn’t have to look heroic. Sometimes it just means staying upright when everything says lie down.

10. “No matter how you feel—get up, dress up, show up, and never give up.” — Regina Brett

A bit old-school, but it works.

I kept this stuck inside my wardrobe door for years. On days when I felt like hiding, it nudged me out of bed and into something resembling a life.

You don’t have to do it well. Just show up.

11. “You’ve been criticising yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise Hay

This one hit like a truth slap.

We try so hard to guilt ourselves into changing—but what if kindness works better? What if you’re already trying so hard, and what you need isn’t more pressure... it’s more compassion?

12. “Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing.” — Unknown

I’ve cried reading this. Like, actual tears.

We’re told that ease equals success. But life isn’t always easy—even when you’re doing your best.

Struggle doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re trying.

13. “This too shall pass.” — Persian Proverb

Old. Simple. Still powerful.

I’ve whispered this to myself in waiting rooms, walking home at night, sitting through grief and overwhelm. It’s not a fix—but it’s a reminder: this feeling isn’t forever.

14. “You’ve survived 100% of your worst days so far.” — Unknown

A quote that sounds a bit silly... until you actually think about it.

You’ve made it through heartbreak, illness, stress, loneliness—and somehow, you’re still here. That’s not luck. That’s resilience.

15. “Keep breathing—even if you have to do it slowly.” — (Me, on a bad day)

I wrote this to myself in a notebook once, and I still come back to it.

Sometimes, all you can do is breathe. Slowly. Quietly. Reluctantly. But it’s enough. One breath at a time.

Why These Never Giving Up Quotes Matter

You might wonder—why do quotes even help?

They won’t fix your relationship, pay your rent, or land you that dream job. But they do something else. Something quiet but powerful.

They remind you that you’re not alone in the mess. That someone else stood where you’re standing now—and made it through.

They’re small. Easy to overlook.

But on a rough day? They can be the exact sentence that keeps you going.

Got a Quote That’s Helped You?

What’s a quote that’s helped you keep going?

Drop it in the comments—it might be exactly what someone else needs today. If this post helped you, share it with a friend...