nobody will understand your journey

Quote Investigator®

Tracing Quotations

Not Everyone Will Understand Your Journey. That’s Fine. It’s Not Their Journey To Make Sense Of. It’s Yours

Zero Dean? Anonymous?

Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine. It’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours.

These words were superimposed on a beautiful picture, but no ascription was provided. You have examined many quotations with incorrect attributions. There is a comparable problem that is endemic online. Sometimes quotations and images are appropriated without credit; original attributions are erased or cropped out, and new web addresses and logos are added. Would you please trace this saying?

Quote Investigator: The statement above was crafted by the computer graphic artist, photographer, and writer Zero Dean in June 2013. He wrote a post on this topic and created a set of vivid images which have been widely shared on social networks such as Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter. However, sometimes Dean’s name has been effaced or replaced by other identifiers.

In 2007 Zero Dean was a senior artist at a computer gaming company. He created artwork for games such as Rise of Nations and Red Dead Redemption. In 2009 he left his job and started on an epic road trip adventure. He has shared his experiences via his writings, photography, and art.

The quotation was written on June 26, 2013 and shared via a blog post and a pinned image on Pinterest. Interestingly, there were two different versions in the beginning. This was the longer version: [1] Personal Communication via Facebook Private Message between Garson O’Toole and Zero Dean, Query from O’Toole sent September 29, 2011, Reply from Zero Dean received September 29, 2011, The … Continue reading [2] Website: Blog Zero Dean, Article title: Not everyone will understand your journey, Author: Zero Dean, Date on website: June 27, 2013, Snapshot on August 5, 2013 from Internet Archive Wayback Machine, … Continue reading

Not everyone will understand your journey. And that’s fine. You have to realize that it’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours.

Quotations often are simplified, and in this case Dean himself immediately streamlined the saying to yield:

Below are additional selected citations.

The images Zero Dean created were based on the simpler statement. Here are two examples:

Zero Dean’s June 2013 blog post began with the following prefatory words:

The only person that is truly aware of your emotions, your intentions, or your interpretation of experiences (which is all they can be), is you. As much as others may — at most times — identify with you or your actions, it is impossible to go through life without occasionally being misunderstood. While you can control what you say or how you act, you cannot always control how others choose to interpret it.

Precursors to the statement do exist. For example, in 2000 “Cincinnati Magazine” published an article about health that included a statement from a doctor named Nancy Snyderman. The words were thematically close to part of the saying under investigation. Bold face has been added to excerpts: [3] 2000 August, Cincinnati Magazine, Section: Health Special Advertising Section, Healthy Journeys: A Conversation on Women’s Health: Featuring Nancy Snyderman M.D. (ABC News Medical … Continue reading

“We have a big plate in life and we can scoop as much stuff on it as we want, but we also need to push some off,” she continues. “We have the control and power. It’s your journey, not someone else’s.”

In 2010 Deidre S. Powell sent out a tweet that was thematically similar, but Powell’s remark emphasized the word “destination” which was not used in Dean’s remark: [4] Tweet, From: Deidre S. Powell @deidrespowell, Date: Inexact: “5 years ago” in August 2015, Text: Not everyone will understand your journey. But don’t be bothered by others when you … Continue reading

Not everyone will understand your journey. But don’t be bothered by others when you know your destination! http://bit.ly/adc5K5.

In July 2011 PushyDreamers tweeted a message that provided a substantive semantic match, but the phrasing was distinct, and the word choice produced a different tone: [5] Tweet, From: PushyDreamers★ @PushyDreamers, Time: 6:38 PM, Date: July 23 2011, Text: Not everyone will understand your journey. Doesn’t matter, they aren’t suppose to, only you are. … Continue reading

Not everyone will understand your journey. Doesn’t matter, they aren’t suppose to, only you are. -PushyDreamers

In January 2012 Aisha tweeted a comment that complimented individuals who were able to understand or sympathize with the journeys of others: [6] Tweet, From: Aisha (I-e-ShA) ‏@LyfeNHeelz, Time: 6:28 PM, Date: January 3 2012, Text: Not everyone will understand YOUR journey, YOUR path, why u do what u do….its not meant for … Continue reading

Not everyone will understand YOUR journey, YOUR path, why u do what u do…. its not meant for “them” too. But those that do, keep close…

On June 26, 2013 Zero Dean shared the quotation via a blog post and a pin on Pinterest. The quotation was seen by a twitter user named Jaison Keyette who tweeted it to his followers: [7] Tweet, From: Jaison Keyette @RealJai_Keys, Time: 11:48 PM, Date: June 26, 2013, Text: Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine. It’s not their journey to make sense of. … Continue reading [8] Instagram, Account: keys2hearts (Jaison Keyette), Date: Undated (Snapshot taken August 17, 2015), Comment response to question about source of quotation in Tweet: “I believe I saw it on … Continue reading

In conclusion, QI believes that this statement should be credited to Zero Dean. It has appeared on various webpages and Facebook feeds without attribution. In some cases, the attribution has been removed.

Image Notes: Highway image, portrait of Zero Dean, and two quotation graphics from Zero Dean. These images have been used with the permission of Zero Dean who controls the rights.

(Great thanks to Zero Dean whose inquiry led QI to formulate this question and perform this exploration.)

51 Meaningful Quotes About How Life is a Journey

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They say that life is about the journey and not the destination. But what does that really mean?

You’ve probably heard this line a million times before, but maybe you couldn’t quite understand what it was trying to illustrate. 

The most successful people will tell you that the process of accomplishing something is far more valuable than the end result. You learn much more from all of your experiences and encounters than you do from arriving at the destination.

Ultimately, the process is the greatest reward. The sweetest moments come when you realize that you have attained the final goal because of everything you have experienced.

You look back on the mistakes, the challenges, and everything you had to endure—but you also celebrate the fact that you faced your problems head-on. Your journey through life is what makes you human.

In this article, we share with you a list of quotes about how life is a journey . We hope that, through these words, you’ll be able to enjoy everything that life has to offer. Even more so, we hope that they will inspire you to live a more meaningful and happier life .

But before we check out our list, let’s discuss how reading these quotes can get you motivated.

Table of Contents

Why Read Quotes About How Life Is a Journey?

Reading these quotes can inspire you to live a better and more fulfilling life.

They are, after all, from people who have found their journeys through life enjoyable and gratifying. There’s no better way to motivate yourself than to get inspiration from people who have already lived wonderful lives.

In the same vein, these quotes can help you appreciate the gift of life. They help you realize that you only live once, so you must relish the moments you have been given.

Finally, reading these quotes can encourage you to share your life with others. You will realize that, in order to be able to live your life to the fullest, you need someone to share both your joys and sorrows with. You require companions to fully live in the moment .

Now that you know why it’s important to read journey quotes, let us check out our list!

Meaningful Life is a Journey Quotes

• “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But by all means, keep moving.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins
• “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey
• “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
• “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” – Heraclitus
• “Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it by yourself. It is not far. It is within reach. Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. Perhaps it is everywhere – on water and land.” – Walt Whitman
• “The most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between, and they took great pleasure in doing just that.” – Norton Juster
• “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” – Steve Maraboli

• “Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost.” – Erol Ozan
• “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” – Michelle Obama
• “I am no longer afraid of becoming lost because the journey back always reveals something new, and that is ultimately good for the artist.” – Billy Joel
• “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy
• “Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering.” – Santosh Kalwar
• “There is a strange comfort in knowing that no matter what happens today, the Sun will rise again tomorrow.” – Aaron Lauritsen
• “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – Drake
• “ Transformation is a process , and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It’s a journey of discovery – there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” – Rick Warren
• “The journey is never-ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, and adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” – Antonio Brown
• “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson
• “On your journey, don’t forget to smell the flowers. Take time out to notice that you are alive. You can only live one day.” – Ray Fearon

• “If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends. It simply means the river bends.” – Enoch Powell
• “It’s not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place because it frees you.” – Tyler Perry
• “Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” – Chanda Kochhar
• “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin
• “Your journey never ends. Life has a way of changing things in incredible ways.” – Alexander Volkov
• “Each one of us has our own evolution of life, and each one of us goes through different tests which are unique and challenging. But certain things are common. And we do learn things from each other's experiences. On a spiritual journey, we all have the same destination.” – A. R. Rahman
• “Going by my past journey, I am not certain where life will take me, what turns and twists will happen; nobody knows where they will end up. As life changes direction, I'll flow with it.” – Katrina Kaif
• “Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don't lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

• “But it's a journey and the sad thing is you only learn from experience, so as much as someone can tell you things, you have to go out there and make your own mistakes in order to learn.” – Emma Watson
• “The seeker embarks on a journey to find what he wants and discovers, along the way, what he needs.” – Wally Lamb
• “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith
• “The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it's here is up to us. Journey wisely.” – Alexandra Elle
• “We may run, walk, stumble. drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.” – Gloria Gaither
• “Whole life is a search for beauty. But, when the beauty is found inside, the search ends and a beautiful journey begins.” – Harshit Walia
• “Not everyone will understand your journey. That's okay. You're here to live your life, not to make everyone understand .” – Banksy
• “I believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.” – Les Brown
• “It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination.” – John Bingham
• “As you journey down the path, don't forget to be present moment-by-moment and absorb the beauty and richness of simply being alive.” – Cary David Richards
• “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

• “Life is a journey of either Fate or Destiny. Fate is the result of giving in to one's wounds and heartaches. Your Destiny unfolds when you rise above the challenges of your life and use them as Divine opportunities to move forward to unlock your higher potential.” – Caroline Myss
• “I know it can be tough to imagine how to get from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow. But I’m here to tell you that change is possible if you enter into this journey with your eyes wide open, and with real intention.” – David Hauser
• “Part of the challenge that comes with striving for success is how the entire journey comes with its own fair share of failures and disappointments.” – Rupert Johnson
• “The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That's all there ever is.” – Alan Watts
• “Life is a journey and it's about growing and changing and coming to terms with who and what you are and loving who and what you are.” – Kelly McGillis
• “Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.” – Captain Jean-Luc Picard
• “I just constantly tell myself that I should be the only one to define my worth and what I'm capable of and how I perceive myself. And that I should never source that worth from other people, especially strangers on social media. They don't know who I am, the length of my journey, who I am as a person.” – Catriona Gray
• “ You have learned a lot, but there are still lots of learning for you as you journey through life. Never stop learning.” – Kate Summers

• “One of the most important things that I have learned in my 57 years is that life is all about choices. On every journey you take, you face choices. At every fork in the road, you make a choice. And it is those decisions that shape our lives.” – Mike DeWine
• “I'm different than most people. When I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I'm thinking about what I'm going to do tomorrow. It's as if my journey is everlasting, and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins
• “The journey matters as much as the destination. By engaging at the moment on set, I've stopped rushing and now find pleasure in the collaborative process – the characters, the costumes – rather than worrying about the finished product.” – Michelle Dockery
• “It's a life's journey of finding ourselves, finding our power, and living for yourself, not for everyone else.” – Mariska Hargitay

Final Thoughts on Life & Journey

Life is a journey, and we all take different paths.

There are those who take the road less traveled and enjoy unique accomplishments, while others go with the crowd but still end up loving the lives they’ve chosen as well. Regardless of our choices, we will all have the potential to become successful in the ways we personally define success.

We hope that these quotes inspired you to enjoy your life’s journey and make it more meaningful. Enjoy the moment and live happy!

And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 63 Inspiring Walt Whitman Quotes About Life
• 51 Do What Makes You Happy Quotes for 2023
• 107 Quotes About Overcoming Adversity and Challenges in Your Life

Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success .

77 Positive and Inspiring Journey Quotes

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with these inspiring journey quotes. Life’s a thrilling ride, filled with ups and downs.

It’s about braving the storms and cherishing time spent with loved ones.

So whether your path is spiritual, an exciting travel adventure, or just starting something new in life, let these quotes fuel your spirit for exploration and discovery.

Journey quotes to begin your path towards greatness

1. “Never give up on your dreams, no matter how painful and difficult your journey is.” – Lisa

2. “The journey is never ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” – Antonio Brown

3. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

4. “Sometimes its more about the journey than the destination.” – Jamal Crawford

5. “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe

6. “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

New journey quotes to inspire your success

7. “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

8. “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – Drake

9. “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

10. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

11. “Struggle teaches you a lot of things, and I am happy that I witnessed a roller coaster ride. The journey has improved me as a person and made me more matrure.” – Manoj Bajpayee

12. “Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” – Henri Frederic Amiel

Life is a journey quotes

13. “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith

14. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

15. “Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – Lolly Daskal

16. “Life is a journey that have a lot of different paths, but any path you choose, use it as your destiny.” – Unknown

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

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18. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

19. “Everyday you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

20. “Every day is a journey and the journey itself is home.” – Matsuo Basho

21. “Everybody has their own story; everything has their own journey.” – Thalia

Enjoy the journey quotes

22. “Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.” – Marshall Sylver

23. “Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame.” – Benedict Cumberbatch

24. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better everyday. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

25. “Enjoy the journey, the destination will come.” – Verghese

26. “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.” – Joyce Meyer

27. “Dream big, stay positive, work hard, and enjoy the journey.” – Urijah Faber

28. “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

29. “Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” – Chanda Kochar

30. “Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing.” – Matt Biondi

31. “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.” – Babs Hoffman

32. “I haven’t been everywhere but its on my list.” – Susan Sontag

33. “You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – Les Brown

Inspirational journey quotes

34. “You can never regret anything you do in life. You kind of have to learn the lesson from whatever the experience is and take it with you on your journey forward.” – Aubrey O’Day

35. “Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.” – Pope Francis

36. “There’s no map for you to follow and take your journey. You are Lewis and Clark. You are the mapmaker.” – Phillipa Soo

37. “I’m different than most people. When I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my journey is everlasting, and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

38. “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” – Marcel Proust

39. “Though the road’s been rocky it sure feels good to me.” – Bob Marley

40. “We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.” – Earl Nightingale

41. “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” – Steve Jobs

42. “If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends.” – Enoch Powell

Motivational journey quotes 

43. “Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else.” – Tennessee Williams

44. “Gotta take that adventure in order to understand your journey.” – Jennifer Pierre

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

46. “The beauty of my journey is that it’s always been pretty unpredictable, so stay tuned.” – Andreja Pejic

47. “The journey not the arrival matters.” – T.S. Eliot

48. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

49. “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.” – Unknown

50. “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” – Theodore Roosevelt

51. “The harder you work from something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Sudhashree Acharya

52. “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

53. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – ILHQ

54. “When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – Rumi

Positive journey quotes

55. “You may only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

56. “Every day you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

57. “Stay positive. Better days are on their way.” – Unknown

58. “Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.” – Ralph Marston

59. “You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.” – Kate Morton

60. “Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.” – Richie Norton

61. “Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore

62. “Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” – Asha Tyson

63. “And suddenty you know…It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart

64. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton

65. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” – Michelle Obama

66. “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

67. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Journey of life quotes

68. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins

69. “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” – Carol Burnett

70. “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

71. “You take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing, no one to blame.” – Erica Jong

72. “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

73. “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

74. “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

75. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz

76. “Our lives are the journey we take to find our true selves!” – Alyssa Gonzalez

77. “Your braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

Which of these journey quotes were your favorites?

We all have the potential within us to be great.

But greatness isn’t about luck. It’s a choice.

We must choose to succeed and take steps towards it.

Remember, the path to success is a journey, not a quick leap.

Let these quotes inspire you to stay focused on your goals and dreams, no matter what obstacles get in your way along the path.

Helping people and eating tacos are my jam! This blog exists to help provide tips and resources that can help you achieve your goals and live a better life. Whether you’re looking for tips on personal growth, fitness, advice on starting a side hustle, or resources for working remotely, I’ve got you covered.

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• INSPIRATION

32 Not Everyone Is Going to Like You Quotes

One of the most liberating feeling you will have in your life is when you realize that not everyone is going to like you no matter how hard you try. No matter what, there will always be people who will dislike you and some who will like you. So the best way to deal with this situation is to stop bothering about other people so much. Come to a realization that it does not matter if they like or dislike you, as long as you like yourself, that’s all that matters.

Everything in life is energy and when you are too focused on if or not the other person likes you and are trying hard to keep them happy so they like you, you are wasting your energy. You can spend this energy in the right manner by redirecting it on yourself. Focus your energy on understanding yourself and on your goals, values and aspirations, so you can work toward living an authentic life instead of living a life of pretense.

The following is a list of quotes that will inspire you to stop worrying about everyone and if or not they like you and instead redirect your focus on things that matter.

The moment you realize not everyone is going to like you is the moment you take back your power.

Be happy that not everyone likes you because that is proof that you are living true to yourself.

Not everyone is going to like you so there is no point in wasting your energy trying to please everyone. Instead, focus your energy on being your true, authentic self.

Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s perfectly okay because your worth is not based on their opinion.

Not everyone will like you and that’s actually good because not everyone deserves a seat at the table of your life. It is reserved only for the most special people.

It is a fact that not everyone will like you, but it is also a fact that not everyone matters.

Not everyone will understand your journey. That’s fine. It’s not their journey to make sense of. It’s yours.

– Zero Dean

If you want to achieve anything in this world, you have to get used to the idea that not everyone will like you.

– Simon Sinek

Not everyone will understand you and that’s fine because the only one who needs to understand you is you. Get to know yourself. The greatest journey you will ever undertake is the journey of self discovery.

Not everyone will like you or take the time to understand you. Some people lack the capacity. Don’t worry; it’s okay. Their acceptance or rejection doesn’t change your worth one bit. Hold your head up and live your life regardless, knowing not everyone is worthy of you.

– Richelle E. Goodrich

I will not like everyone, not everyone will like me, and that is OKAY.

– Gudjon Bergmann, Yes! You Can Manage Stress

Remember, not everyone will like you (for various reasons), even if you did nothing wrong. If you expect everyone to like you and conform to their expectations, you wouldn’t be true to yourself, and your self-worth would suffer as a result.

– Camie L. Vincent

You are not designed for everyone to like you. When you realize that, you start living true to your design.

Not everyone will understand you. not everyone will appreciate you. not everyone will embrace you. do not change for them. just smile at them, and move along..

– Jessica Hagy

Not everyone will support you. If you take every insult or rude slur from people personally, you will always be offended for the rest of your life. So give up worrying about if people support you or not. If they do, it will show. If it doesn’t, who cares.

– Lorenzo Dozier

Hold onto who loves and honor you. Not everyone will know how to. Some souls don’t even know how to love and honor themselves, let alone you.

– Lalah Delia

Not everyone will notice the way you shine, but you will shine all the same in beautiful, natural ways irrespective of whether they notice or not.

Accept that not everyone will understand you. Live authentically, don’t dumb down or dull your shine just to “fit in” or “get along” with anyone, including friends and even family you’ve outgrown.”

– Kianu Starr

Embrace your uniqueness. Those who genuinely like you will stick around. Those who pretended to like you will leave.

Creativity and expression of one’s art can only be measured by the audience to whom it was intended for. not everyone is going to like my “art” and i don’t really care about that..

– Anne-Rae Vasquez

Not everyone is going to like you or understand you. And that is okay. It may have nothing to do with you personally; but rather more about who they are and how they relate to the world.

– Susan C. Young

Not everyone is going to be kind to you, but be the best in all you do – not everyone will be honest and fair, but still continue to forgive and care.

– Charmaine J Forde

Be yourself and do what you love, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

Be yourself. people don’t have to like you, and you don’t have to care., and when i reveal my true heart, not everyone is going to approve. what i know now is that i don’t need them to..

– Alicia Keys, More Myself: A Journey

Authenticity begins when you realize not everyone is going to like you.

Not everyone is always going to like you. what impresses one person may turn another away. to thine own self be true., not everyone will like you. not everyone will be kind to you. not everyone will agree with you. that does not mean you have to be unkind in return..

– Brianna Wiest

Not everyone will like you. Some people just want to take swipes at you. You need to trust yourself enough to ignore them.

– Francesca Serritella

Not everyone is going to like you. Good people don’t do good so that they’ll win popularity contests. They do good because it’s the right thing to do.

– Karen Rose

I also know that not everyone will like what I do, and that there are many people who do love my work, and so I write for them, and for my own pleasure, and try not to brood too much over those who have different tastes. And I have written enough books now that I know the self-doubt and the anxiety are part of the creative process, and drive me to keep trying to do better, and keep me from becoming too cocksure about my writing, which is a form of creative death.

– Kate Forsyth

It’s not everyone that likes RnB, Hippop or Hiplife. However, each of them has their fans. Meaning not everyone will like you as a person, your ideologies or your business. But if you persist and strategically position yourself, then you will attract a segment of the market that loves everything about you.

– Oscar Bimpong

In life not everyone will understand your journey and that’s okay. You are here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.

Also Read: 36 Inspirational Quotes On Why You Should Always Put Yourself First

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25 Quotes to Help You Through the Journey of Life

The journey of life comes with endless twists and turns. We come across so many challenges that it sometimes blurs what our destination was. But as all of these quotes state, the journey and what you do in it, matters more than the destination itself. 

by Leny Diaz

We are practically halfway through the year and this is where I always find myself asking, what is my destination? What comes next? What other challenges or struggles will I have to face? Life has a funny way of taking you through twists and turns to the point that you wonder if the destination is even in sight. We’ve all been there- at a crossroads wondering what path to take and if it will lead you to where you want to go. The urge to just sit between both roads and just stop is sometimes a strong one. That’s when you start remembering the journey. Life isn’t easy, but the journey? It’s definitely been a wild one, one that at the end of the day I would not change for the world. All the lessons learned, the friends gained and lost, the laughter and tears. Just all the memories of where this journey has taken me is something I don’t think even younger me thought was in the cards for us. We all have our bad times, times where we lose our muse, when we’re lost and don't know where to go. My advice? As well as all the quotes to help you along - just take another step. See where it leads you.

The Journey of Life is Not a Straight Path

Your destination will always be an accomplishment, but your journey is where Everything took place. Life is not a straight path, and if you need a reminder (like myself) that it’s okay to make pit stops, take a detour, or that it’s okay that it’s taking you a while longer to reach your destination…just read through these quotes from others that took a while to get to their destinations in life.

• "I am one of those who never knows the direction of my journey until I have almost arrived." - Anna Louise Strong
• “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway 
• “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” - Arthur Ashe
• “Sometimes in your life you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you have ever taken. It is the journey to find yourself.” - Katherine Sharp
• “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.” - Douglas Adams
• “Your journey never ends. Life has a way of changing things in incredible ways.” - Alexander Volkov
• “Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” - Lolly Daski
• “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” - Drake

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Take the Next Step in Your Journey

The next part of your journey starts with a single step. Nobody knows what comes next, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep going no matter what part of your journey you’re in. If we knew what lay ahead in our life from the beginning, most of us wouldn’t even try to take the journey. But then we wouldn’t come across all the pockets of time that were memorable. So let’s take that next step in our journey, life may just surprise you.

• "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu
• “To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.” - Chinese Proverb
• “There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk.” - Guy Gavriel Kay
• “It’s your road and yours alone, others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.” - Rumi
• “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” - Izaak Walton
• “It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.” - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
• “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” - Dan Rather
• “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” - Oliver Goldsmith

With our Wishbone Ring , you can remember to look forward to the future and the road taken to get there.

Appreciate the Journey

Every goal, every destination has been challenging. Being able to complete a goal, or reaching where you wanted to go is always rewarding. It feels great and you feel like you’re on top of the world. Then you choose your next goal and start a journey all over again. Every accomplishment I’ve ever had and the feeling of success pales in comparison to everything that happened to be able to reach my goals. The struggles, the hard work, the people that cheered you along, and every moment along the way will end up being more memorable.

• “The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.” - Barbara de Angelis
• “Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” - Peter Hagerty
• “Sometimes life takes you on a journey that changes everything you thought you wanted.” - Melaina Rayne
• “Sooner or later, we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip.” - Ann Landers
• “Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it’s everything in between that makes it all worth living.” - Bob Marley
• “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us,” - Unknown
• “We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” - Anais Nin
• “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” - Helen Keller
• “Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret.” - Oscar Wilde

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I hope these quotes motivate you to take the next step in your journey. Don’t be afraid to stop and admire the view every once in a while. Life is not a race and we all accomplish our goals in our own time. Sometimes the journey just takes you through a few more stops along the way.

The last quote I leave you with…..

“The world is waiting for you. Good Luck. Travel Safe. Go!” - Phil Keoghan

Looking for more inspirational posts? Read…

• 115 Daily Affirmations for a Positive Mindset
• “Everything Always Works Itself Out”
• Our Favorite Short Inspiring Quotes
• “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal”

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111 Trust The Process Quotes To Inspire Your Journey

Embarking on a journey towards your goals and dreams is an exciting and transformative experience. Along the way, you’ll encounter challenges, uncertainties, and moments when the path ahead seems unclear. In these moments, the wisdom of trusting the process can provide the guidance and motivation you need to keep moving forward.

Welcome to this collection of 111 inspiring “ Trust The Process” quotes that are not only words but also powerful reminders of the strength that comes from embracing the journey, no matter how daunting it may seem.

What It Means To Trust The Process

Trusting the process isn’t merely a catchy phrase; it’s a mindset that can shape your perspective and actions in meaningful ways. At its core, trusting the process involves acknowledging that success is a journey with its ups and downs, twists and turns.

It’s about having faith in your abilities, in the lessons that challenges bring, and in the notion that every step, no matter how small, contributes to your growth.

Trusting the process doesn’t mean sitting back and waiting for things to magically fall into place. Rather, it’s an active engagement with your goals. It’s about consistently putting in the effort, even when results aren’t immediate.

When you trust the process, you recognize that setbacks aren’t roadblocks but stepping stones and that each moment, whether triumphant or trying, has a purpose.

For a more comprehensive exploration of how to maintain and strengthen your trust in the process, even when faced with difficulties, check out my article, “ 11 Ways to Trust the Process Even When It’s Tough .” This article provides practical strategies and approaches to help you navigate the challenges that might test your resolve along the journey. It complements the inspiring quotes you’re about to discover and offers valuable insights into the art of unwavering trust.

111 Trust The Process Quotes

As you immerse yourself in the following collection of quotes, reflect on what these words mean to you personally. Consider how the wisdom shared by individuals from various walks of life resonates with your own journey.

Remember that while trusting the process isn’t always easy, it’s a practice that can lead to profound personal growth and accomplishments.

1. “She remembered who she was and the game changed.” – Don Williams Jr.

2. “excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.” – a.p. j. abdul kalam, 3. “great things take time. trust the process and keep working towards your goals.” – unknown, 4. “time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters. be patient and trust the process.” – peaceful diaries, 5. “hold the vision. drop the excuses. remember your why. swerve around obstacles. trust the process. happiness and success will find you.” – karen salmansohn, 6. “i know there is a lot going on in your head. why to worry so much let the time pass instead.” – wrushank sorte, 7. “have patience. all things are difficult before they become easy.” – saadi shirazi – don williams jr., 8.“your personal growth is the only thing that matters. you own and write your story—no one else does. believe in your unique steps up the mountain.” – brittany burgunder, 9. “life is a journey of peaks and valleys. trust the process and enjoy the ride.” – unknown, 10. “every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” – napoleon hill.

11. “Stay focused, stay positive, trust the process, and believe that the best is yet to come.” – Unknown

12. “as you learn to trust yourself something miraculous happens. you begin to trust the process you are living and the miracles life brings” – iyanla vanzant, 13. “you know how if you plant seeds it takes time for the fruits of the seeds to push up through the ground’s surface same goes for the changes you want to manifest—they take time to see. so seeing isn’t believing, seeding is believing. what you seed is what you get. if you seed positive thoughts and habits, success will eventually blossom for you.” – karen salmansohn, 14. “nothing worth having comes easy. trust the process.” – napz cherub pellazo, 15. “it is more important to go slow and gain the lessons you need along the journey than to rush the process and arrive at your destination empty.” – germany kent, 16. “if we have faith, a door will open for us, not perhaps one that we ourselves would ever have thought of, but one that will ultimately prove good for us.” – a. j. cronin, 17. “life is a series of lessons and experiences. trust the process and let each moment shape you.” – unknown, 18. “trying harder makes the resistance more. it’s letting go of the cars that makes it less. it’s trusting the process. it’s trusting the stream. it’s trusting that you have an inner being that is calling you toward it.” – abraham hicks, 19. “whenever you feel crushed, under pressure, pressed, or in darkness, you’re in a powerful place of transformation/transmutation.” – lalah delia, 20. “be brave. let go. trust the process. allow the universe to reveal its beautiful plan.” – amy atherton.

21. “It’s not luck, it’s not magic, it’s not circumstances. It’s developing a good plan and diligently working it.” ~ John C. Maxwell

22. “slow down. calm down. don’t worry. don’t hurry. trust the process.” – alexandra stoddard, 23. “it’s amazing how the same pace in practice can feel so much harder than on race day. stay confident. trust the process.” – sara hall, 24. “so the single most vital step on your journey towards enlightenment is this—learn to disidentify from your mind.” – eckhart tolle, 25. “in your action, you lose sight of the vision, you lose sight of your trust in the process, and just band around in a sense of futility. hold the vision and trust that the universe will acclimate to your vision. hold the vision and trust the process.” — esther hicks, 26. “the good life is a process, not a state of being. it is a direction, not a destination.” – carl rogers, 27. “success is a result of trusting the process, staying committed, and never giving up.” – unknown, 28. “patience and persistence are the keys to success. trust the process and stay determined.” – unknown, 29. “you can’t really protect women or men from their choices, so let them have their own lives and trust the process.” – stephen singular, 30. “just do the work and the results will handle themselves.” – tony gaskins.

31. “If all I do is try, that means I don’t truly believe that I can succeed.” – Kanan Jarrus

32. “trust the process. your time is coming. just do the work and the results will handle themselves.” – tony gaskins, 33. “enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. and don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – nadia comaneci, 34. “every setback is a setup for a comeback. trust the process and keep pushing forward.” – unknown, 35. “what we are waiting for is not as important as what happens to us while we are waiting. trust the process.” – mandy hale, 36. “success is built on a foundation of hard work and perseverance. trust the process and keep building.” – unknown, 37. “you can’t rush progress. trust the process and enjoy the journey.” – unknown, 38. “it is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” – ernest hemingway, 39. “persons with comparatively moderate powers will accomplish much if they apply themselves wholly and indefatigably to one thing at a time.” – samuel smiles, 40. “patience does not mean to passively endure. it means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process.” – elif shafak.

41. “Embrace the uncertainty, trust the process, and watch the magic unfold.” – Unknown

42. “in the process of becoming, trust the journey and have faith in your own evolution.” – unknown, 43. “small moves in the direction of your goal every day are going to add up. you can get to where you want to be but you have to keep moving forward.”, 44. “sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – drake, 45. “adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – ralph waldo emerson, 46. “when things are not coming together the way you want them to don’t lose hope. trust the process, your time will come.” – germany kent, 47. “there are highs and lows in life. you can’t celebrate the highs without having the lows. so maintain your positive mindset and continue to move forward toward your dream regardless of the highs and lows.” — susan ballinger, 48. “every master was once a disaster.” – t. harv eker, 49. “relax. don’t rush. don’t force. don’t stress. let things happen, trust the process, and try to enjoy the ride.” – lori deschene, 50. “forget the competition and go at your own pace. your only contest is with yourself.” – william zinsser.

51. “Taking a shortcut isn’t always profitable, doing the right thing may take longer but just trust the process, your reward is sure!” – Hopal Green

52. “if you’re gonna try, go all the way. otherwise, don’t even start.” ~ charles bukowski, 53. “do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” ~ mother teresa, 54. “trust that the challenges you face are guiding you towards your true potential. embrace the process.” – unknown, 55. “skill in any performance whether it be in sports in playing the piano in conversation or in selling merchandise consists not in painfully and consciously thinking out each action as it is performed but in relaxing and letting the job do itself through you.” – maxwell maltz, 56. “life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.” – winnie the pooh, 57. “the process is just as important as the actual prize, because the process is going to make you.” ~ eric thomas, 58. “our greatest weakness lies in giving up. the most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.” – thomas edison, 59. “i was taught the way of progress is neither swift nor easy.” – marie curie, 60. “don’t be discouraged by temporary setbacks. trust the process and keep your eyes on the prize.” – unknown.

61. “A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song” – Chinese Proverb

62. “if i let go of who i am i become who i might be” – lao tzu, 63. “growth is a process, and sometimes it takes time to see the results. be patient and trust it.” – unknown, 64. “every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. trust the journey.” – unknown, 65. “nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – marie curie, 66. “when we let go of what we think is best for us, we can receive what we truly need.” – anthon st. maarten, 67. “if people knew how hard i had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.” – michelangelo, 68. “every day, we can either choose to be a victim or we can choose to live life victoriously.” ~ les brown, 69. “successful people just do the things that seem to make no difference in the act of doing them and they do them over and over and over until the compound effect kicks in.” – jeff olson, 70. “trust the process. your time is coming. just do the work and the results will take care of themselves.” ~ tony gaskins.

71. “A man who cannot tolerate small misfortunes can never accomplish great things” – Chinese Proverb

72. “success is like a quiet set of daily tasks. it’s not this big rah-rah speech where you do this one thing and then something big happens.” – owen cook, 73. “the journey to success is not always straightforward. trust the process, learn from the detours, and keep moving forward.” – unknown, 74. “life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – oliver goldsmith, 75. “stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – fitzhugh mullan, 76. “i go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two.” – jacob a. riis, 77. “everybody wants the platform but nobody wants the process.” – pastor john gray, 78. “the key to everything is patience. you get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.” – arnold henry glasow, 79. “not all those who wander are lost.” – j.r.r. tolkien, 80. “temporary discomfort is a part of growth” – etheria divine.

81. “When you do things the right way, it will take longer. Just trust the process!” – Hopal Green

82. “life is not what it’s supposed to be—it’s what it is. the way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” -virginia satir, 83. “nothing worth having comes easy. trust the process.” – napz cherub pellazo, 84. “strength comes from choosing to fully trust, pray, and praise. our circumstances may not change, but in the process we change.” – charles r. swindoll, 85. “if you really wanna fly, learn to befriend the winds.” – curtis tyrone jones, 86. “the process may be slow, but it’s in those moments of patience that transformation happens.” – unknown, 87. “the process of growth is like a puzzle. trust that each piece you place gets you closer to the bigger picture.” – unknown, 88. “patience is not passive. on the contrary, it’s concentrated strength.” ~ bruce lee, 89. “the best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today’s work superbly today.” – dale carnegie, 90. “i am learning to trust the journey even when i do not understand it.” – mila bronit.

91. “Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” – Henri Frederic Amiel

92. “there are times in our lives it feels like failure. it seems as if we are falling but we really are flying… have faith… trust the process.” – april peerless, 93. “to be successful as an investor or a business owner, you have to be emotionally neutral to winning and losing. winning and losing are just part of the game.” – robert kiyosaki, 94. “patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – aristotle, 95. “trust the creative process. you are a walking, breathing mass of possibilities and potential.” – donna goddard, 96. “the road to success is paved with hard work, dedication, and a strong belief in the process.” – unknown, 97. “everything is falling together perfectly, even though it looks as if some things are falling apart. trust in the process you are now experiencing.” – neale donald walsch, 98. “the process is what you have to do day in and day out to be successful.” – nick saban, 99. “change takes time. trust the process and keep moving forward.” – unknown, 100. “playful arising is authorized by both risk and trust in the process and in oneself. to be truly playful and improvisational, one must not look for results.” – joshua l. goldberg.

101. “Remember that it is not where you come from, or not even where you are; it is where you are going that matters most.” ~ Bo Bennett

102. “commit to the healing path and trust the process.” – rosenna bakari, 103. “it’s hard to beat a person that never gives up.” – babe ruth, 104. “transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. it’s a journey of discovery — there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” – rick warren, 105. “trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.” – molière, 106. “success is a journey, not a destination. the doing is often more important than the outcome.” – arthur ashe, 107. “we enjoy the process far more than the proceeds.” – warren buffett, 108. “trust the process of growth, even when it leads you down unexpected paths.” – unknown, 109. “our patience will achieve more than our force.” – edmund burke, 100. “believe in the process, embrace the journey, and trust that the dots will connect.” – steve jobs, 111. “we determine our destiny by the actions that we take today.” ~ catherine pulsifer, bottom line.

As you immerse yourself in these “Trust The Process” quotes, reflect on their profound wisdom. Your journey, like those of your clients, is a testament to growth.

Remember, embracing the process is at the core of transformation. Keep guiding others with the same trust you hold for yourself.

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77 Beautiful Journey Quotes & Captions To Inspire An Inner Awakening

Searching for some words to accompany your own journey? I’ve compiled the best list out there of the most beautiful journey quotes to inspire and uplift you…

Maybe the most famous quote about journeys that millions across the globe know is from Lao Tzu.  The ancient Chinese philosopher once said, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And since then, adventurers, journeyers and wanderers have passed on their own journey inspiration. 

Whether your journey is a metaphorical or literal one, you will love my list of the best journey quotes that are guaranteed to lift you up and propel you forward. 

These are the 77 best journey quotes.

The Best Journey Quotes 

You may recognize a number of these quotes about journeys, as they come from the minds of some of the greatest individuals throughout history. These writers, leaders, musicians and adventurers understand the power of a life changing journey. 

1) “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t walk run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving.” – Martin Luther King Jr. 

2) “the road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” –  don williams, jr., 3) “the best part of life is to decide to make the journey through life like a best selling book. tell a fantastic story when you are ready to tell others how you did it. make sure life the best story ever written through a journey filled with overcoming obstacles, taking risks, and continuing to develop.” – catherine pulsifer, 4) “we are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. life is eternal. we have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. this is a precious moment. it is a little parenthesis in eternity.” – paulo coelho.

5) “If ever there was a metaphor to illustrate the importance of the journey over the destination, it is life itself. For everyone who departs from birth is destined for death, so the journey IS life. Savor it!” – Michele Jennae

6) “life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” – peter hagerty, 7) “the secret of getting ahead is getting started. the secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – mark twain, 8) “it is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” – ernest hemingway.

9) “To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

10) “our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. but no matter, the road is life.”  ― jack kerouac, 11) “in order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse.” – anthon st. maarten, 12) “this thing we call life is not a destination with an end but a path down which we continue to journey as long as we can breath. life is to be lived not squandered or to give away waiting for the end to close upon us.” – byron pulsifer.

13) “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

14) “life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “wow what a ride”” – hunter s. thompson, 15) “sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. the true joy of life is the trip.” — robert j. hastings.

Short Journey Quotes 

Quotes don’t have to be lengthy to capture the spirit of what they are trying to convey. These short journey quotes say so much with so little words. 

16) “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

17) “learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – lolly daskal, 18) “a journey is time suspended.” –  louis l’amour, 19) “take voyages. attempt them. there’s nothing else.” ― tennessee williams.

20) “I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”  — Carl Sandburg

21) “stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – fitzhugh mullan, 22) “life’s a journey, not a race.” – unknown, 23) “life is a journey. when we stop, things don’t go right.” – pope francis.

24) “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” ― Ursula K. Le Guin

25) “you must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – les brown, 26) “i tramp a perpetual journey.” ― walt whitman, 27) “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – marcel proust.

28) “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln 

29) “life is about waking up. it is a journey of discovery and you’ve already bought the ticket and are sitting on the train.” – michael sheridan,, 30) “the only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – tony robbins, 31) “without music, life is a journey through a desert.” – pat conroy.

32) “What you learn in tough times can be used in many ways to bless your personal life journey.” – Scott Gordon

33) “accomplishments will prove to be a journey, not a destination.” – dwight d. eisenhower.

Inspiring Journey Quotes  

Searching for the courage to take the first steps on your own journey? These inspiring journey quotes will light a fire under you, guaranteed to give you the courage you seek.

34) “I discovered that a fresh start is a process. A fresh start is a journey – a journey that requires a plan.” – Vivian Jokotade

35) “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – unknown, 36) “you don’t have to understand my journey. you just need to respect it.” – izey victoria odiase, 37) “when setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – rumi, 38) “to get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.” – chinese proverb, 39) “you have learned a lot, but there are still lots of learning for you as you journey through life. never stop learning.” – kate summers, 40) “when you’re on a journey and you come to a wall, always throw your pack over first, because then you will be sure to follow.” – yongey mingyur rinpoche, 41) “ big things have small beginnings.” – prometheus.

42) “Life is a journey that have a lot different paths, but any path you choose use it as your destiny.” ― Ryan Leonard

43) “this is your journey, your body, your mind, and your spirit. dig deep, own it, and start doing things for you and by you.” – unknown author, 44) “as you journey down the path, don’t forget to be present moment-by-moment and absorb the beauty and richness of simply being alive.” – cary david richards, 45) “life is a journey of either fate or destiny. fate is the result of giving in to one’s wounds and heartaches. your destiny unfolds when you rise above the challenges of your life and use them as divine opportunities to move forward to unlock your higher potential.” – caroline myss.

46) “Temporary setbacks create opportunities for fresh commitment and renewal. There are seasons of sunshine as well as rain.” – T. D. Jakes,

47) “i believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.” – les brown, 48) “to find your confidence, get out of your comfort zone, overcome your fears, and begin the journey to discover and accomplish what you want to do with your life.” – doretha dingler.

Journey Instagram Quotes & Captions  

Need a fantastic quote about journeys to accompany your own inspiring Instagram upload? These Instagram journey captions and quotes say so much in just the right amount of characters. 

49) “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” – Izaak Walton

50) “always say yes to new adventures.”, 51) “it is better to travel well than to arrive.” –  arthur c. custance, 52) “always take the scenic route.”.

53) “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

54) “don’t listen to what they say, go and see it for yourself.”, 55) “what’s on my bucket list everywhere.”, 56) “on a hard jungle journey, nothing is so important as having a team you can trust.” – tahir shah.

57) “Travel not to find yourself, but to remember where you have been all long.”

58) “don’t spend your money on things. spend it on experiences”, 59) “leap and the net will appear.” – zen proverb, 60) “all journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ― martin buber, 61) “life is journey, travel it well.” – unknown.

Funny Journey Quotes 

These funny quotes about journeys are short, punchy and shine a humorous light on some of the many obstacles a journey may come up against. 

62) “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” – Confucius

63) “me: “i want to travel more”, the bank account: “”like, to the park”, 64) “i have panicked unnecessarily in all four corners of the globe.” – jon ronson, 65) “good things come to those, who book flights.”.

66) “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” –  John Steinbeck

67) “i crossed a time zone and i feel younger already. if i keep traveling west, i can become immortal” – jarod kintz, 68) “sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.” – jerry seinfeld.

Celebrity Journey Quotes 

Actors, entrepreneurs, musicians and more are the minds behind these poignant celebrity journey quotes that are sure to inspire and make you smile. 

69) “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

70) “sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – drake, 71) “you can handle just about anything that comes at you out on the road with a believable grin, common sense and whiskey.”– bill murray, 72) “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. you have to trust in something; your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. this approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – steve jobs.

73) “The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is, just be Nice to everyone and always smile.” – Ed Sheeran

74) “you take people, you put them on a journey, you give them peril, you find out who they really are.” – joss whedon, 75) “if all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – dan rather, 76. “every day is a new journey for me, and i feel like, in my lifetime, i’ve been blessed to experience such a lot.” – bindi irwin, 77) “not everyone will understand your journey. that’s okay. you’re here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.” – banksy.

Did I miss any great journey quotes?

Is there a journey quote I missed off my list that is one of your personal faves and that you want to share? Reach out to me with the quote, and I’ll see if I can add it to the my list of the best quotes about journeys!

Looking for inspiration for your next travel journey?

The quotes that made my list could really sum up so many journeys travelers take every day across the world. I’m a travel blogger who has traveled across the globe, and as a result my site has a huge variety of inspiring travel content. Accommodation guides, music festival guides, itineraries, city guides and so much more await you. Get started with some of my most popular travel content. 

• 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
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Not everyone will understand your journey

No one is able to get an idea about one’s feeling.  Even when you try to explain your journey they still may not get it. Complete your journey by yourself. Do not depend upon others.

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When Other People Don’t Understand Your Journey

Inspired Meditations

August 7, 2019

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My husband and I recently celebrated our 14th anniversary.

14 years together is a lot to celebrate when we are miles apart in differences. It’s my belief that a healthy amount of differences keeps things fresh and interesting albeit challenging.

For instance… I meditate.

He watches historical accounts of WWII.

I’m passionate about meditation and the key role it’s played in my personal growth and healing journey.

He’s meditated a few times at my insistence. Enjoyed it. Mostly fell asleep.

He doesn’t understand my connection to meditation. That’s because it’s a big part of MY journey, not his.

He may not understand it, but he respects it. He knows that unless there’s a house fire, he doesn’t interrupt my meditation time.

Whether you are on a healing journey, a spiritual journey, a health journey or any other personal journey you are bound to run into people who just don’t understand.

Have you ever felt like others don’t understand what you are going through? They don’t approve or understand your choices and changes?

Sometimes those people are the ones who are closest to you. That can be heartbreaking and frustrating and put distance between you and those you love. In marriages, it can lead to “growing apart”.

How much others understand your journey depends on how much of yourself and your journey you share as well as what you decide to share.

It’s difficult to share personal journeys for many reasons.

• Maybe you’re an introvert like me. Introverts have a rich and extensive inner world. It’s not always natural for them to share it with others or openly talk about it.
• Perhaps you’ve suffered emotional or psychological abuse and sharing was not caring in your childhood or past relationships. When you grow up in a family that uses emotion or personal information against you, it can be instinctive to keep stuff to yourself. Same with abusive relationships with romantic partners. Bottom line: it’s important you feel safe when navigating a personal journey.
• It’s also hard to translate personal feelings and experiences into words and concepts that others will understand . Sometimes we take action or follow a path that our intuition leads us to. It is difficult to translate because it can be spiritual, deeply personal, or intimately intuitive; maybe something we don’t yet understand ourselves.
• You need to distance yourself from certain people to gain clarity. You need your own space without influence or interference. In codependent relationships for instance, it’s difficult to discern where one person begins and the other ends so change in this dynamic is that much harder. Have you ever felt that someone else needs change in order for you to move forward? Or ‘as soon as I help them, I can help myself’. Is someone sabotaging your efforts? You will need the distance.

“How do I get others to understand me when I don’t even understand myself?” There will be moments on your journey that even you won’t understand so it goes without saying others won’t either. In this case you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. This is the essence of personal growth.

After all, a personal journey doesn’t imply that you have to “get it right” or it has to “make sense”. Journeys are rarely linear or transparent. In those instances it’s best to keep your journey private where the real work and value can be appreciated.

In marriage and relationships, it’s healthy to share so that we don’t grow apart.

  Your personal journey always affects and reflects in your relationships. Some people will play an integral part of your journey too.

• When you share does it serve as an explanation? You do not owe anyone an explanation.
• Do you feel you must divulge more than you’d like just so someone else understands…or feels more comfortable?

If counseling is part of your journey, it may set off someone you’re close to. People you’re close to may fear your change. Because of this, people resist the notion of counseling because it represents change, growth, and healthier ways to relate to the world. That means disrupting the norm. This unnerves those around you who practically depend on  you to maintain their status quo no matter how unhealthy it is.

TRY: In your next argument with a loved one note what you’re feeling, the predominant feeling (example: rejection) and then think about the first time you remember feeling that (rejection). Likely you were young but it’s those old wounds that show up in relationships. Old wounds are wonderful to reflect on as an adult because you now have an experienced perspective rather than that of a child or young adult. We continue patterns and beliefs long after we’ve outgrown them. Revisiting and rewriting them is a worthy aspect of your journey.

Themes and patterns are recognizable in most of our close relationships and this can help unravel personal puzzles along your journey. If someone is upset at  you for not understanding your actions, the new boundaries you set, or new lifestyle changes you make, then that’s a sign they are more concerned for themselves than you and your progress. What will your changes mean  for them? Your growth may remind them of things they need to face.

In one of my own family relationships we typically argue when I’m trying to help and this person won’t accept help until it becomes an emergency requiring extra help.

Noting this pattern between us pointed me toward what would be a meaningful journey where I finally help myself rather than waste energy on helping others who don’t want it. If an emergency arises I enact boundaries.

  When there’s a need for other people to understand, the problem may be that you feel a lack of connection and support from others. For everything that we feel deeply, there is a deeper meaning and truth to be uncovered.

In that sense we don’t really need to be understood, we just want to be validated.

When others don’t understand your journey…

• Let go of the need to make others join your journey and replicate what you’re doing. We can learn to respect different journeys. Other people have their own timeline so make sure that the reason they don’t understand your journey isn’t because you insist they follow yours. It’s like coming to a fork in the road. Maybe you go one direction and your loved one goes another. It doesn’t mean you can meet up later down the road.
• You may be craving support and acceptance. You may be surrounded by too many people who do not support you. You can find acceptance within yourself and through support groups or groups of like-minded individuals (plenty of those online). Find a tribe and take time to connect to those who can understand you.
• You’re focusing too much on differences. It’s true we’re not all on the same journey but your perspective can make you feel more isolated when you focus on those who don’t understand you rather than those who do.
• The reality is someone else truly understanding you is rare. The quest to be understood is exhausting. The more you worry about others and whether they understand you, the more of yourself and your journey you lose.
• Realize all journeys and all people intertwine as one. Everyone has different experiences, needs, and expectations, but ultimately we all belong to the same source and most of us even want the same things.

Tags: boundaries , emotional health , guided meditation , health journeys , mental health , personal growth , personal journey , spiritual journey

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Not everyone will understand your journey. That's okay. You're here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.

I’ve learnt from experience that a painting isn’t finished when you put down your brush – that’s when it starts. The public reaction is what supplies meaning and value. Art comes alive in the arguments you have about it.

Nobody ever listened to me until they didn't know who I was

If it doesn’t matter, get rid of it. If you can’t get rid of it, it matters.

People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that's only if it's done properly.

Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.

The greatest crimes in the world are not committed by people breaking the rules but by people following the rules. It's people who follow orders that drop bombs and massacre villages.

You can win the rat race but you're still a rat.

I just wanna make the world a better-looking place. If you don't like it, you can paint over it!

There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.

A wall is a very big weapon. It's one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.

The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal.

A lot of people never use their initiative because no-one told them to.

Nobody knows what you feel inside unless you tell them.

Imagine a city where graffiti wasn't illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colours and little phrases. Where standing at a bus stop was never boring. A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business. Imagine a city like that and stop leaning against the wall - it's wet.

I don't know why people are so keen to put the details of their private life in public; they forget that invisibility is a superpower.

The art world is the biggest joke going. It's a rest home for the overprivileged, the pretentious, and the weak. And modern art is a disgrace - never have so many people used so much stuff and taken so long to say so little.

Fight the fighters, not their wars.

Is graffiti art or vandalism? That word has a lot of negative connotations and it alienates people, so no, I don't like to use the word 'art' at all.

Live as a villain, die as a hero

You don't need planning permission to build castles in the sky

Writing graffiti is about the most honest way you can be an artist. It takes no money to do it, you don't need an education to understand it, and there's no admission fee.

The people who run our cities dont understand graffiti because they think nothing has the right to exist unless it makes a profit... the people who truly deface our neighborhoods are the companies that scrawl giant slogans across buildings and buses trying to make us feel inadequate unless we buy their stuff.... any advertisement in public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours, it belongs to you ,, its yours to take, rearrange and re use.Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head.

If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then you have to live a lie.

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Live Life Happy

Not Everyone Will Understand Your Journey

April 21, 2016 By Robert Tew Leave a Comment

Live Life Happy: Not everyone will understand your journey. Just be yourself and carry on.

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Why Do I Feel Like No One Understands Me? 8 Things To Try

By Author Mia Miller

Posted on Last updated: September 27, 2023

“Why do I feel like no one understands me?”

Because you’re probably right! We’re all human. We don’t want to make much of an effort to understand what people around us are going through because we’re preoccupied with our own problems. We want to spend as much effort and energy as necessary, but not an ounce more because we’re tired.

What does that tell you? Right off the bat, the world doesn’t hate you and the people around you didn’t conspire against you. You simply didn’t give them a chance to get to know you and to understand you better. Rather than figuring out what you’re going through, they’re inclined to jump to conclusions.

We’ve all been there, too. You’re surrounded by people but you’re lonely. You feel like no one understands you, no one sees you, and no one hears you when you’re trying to speak about what you’re going through. You feel like no one cares, and you’re devastated by that because you crave connection.

What’s even worse, when you start feeling that way, you start talking down on yourself, blaming yourself for your lack of social skills, and deepening that hollow, aching feeling inside. What are you supposed to do when you start feeling that way? We’re bringing you everything you need to know down below!

Why do I feel like no one understands me?

“Why do I feel like no one understands me? I’m weird. I’m different from other people and I don’t know how to behave toward them. I don’t know whether I’m the one to blame or whether they’re the ones that need to approach me and ask me about my torments.”

We’re aware that your wording might be different from what we’ve come up with, but bear with us.

When you’re feeling that way, the way we described beforehand, you’re not sure where your feelings are coming from. You’re not sure whether you’re right to feel that way or whether you need to change the way you feel. We understand that.

More often than not, when people feel like nobody understands them or like nobody wants to understand them, they’re responding to some deep-seated trauma they’re unaware of.

Maybe you were bullied when you were younger and you’re conditioned to expect an unsupportive environment wherever you go. Perhaps you’re putting your expectations on one person and you’re acting up because that person doesn’t seem to understand you.

Maybe you’re giving up on people before you’ve even given them the chance to understand you – out of fear or out of embarrassment.

Whatever your reasons might be, know that you don’t need to keep living that way. With a little help from our tips and tricks, you can find a way to give the people around you another chance to prove themselves to you – you’d be surprised at how great people can be when you learn to trust them.

What do I do when I feel like no one understands me?

1. work on understanding yourself.

When you’re heartbroken over the thought that no one understands you, you might not even think to check whether you’re the one that needs to change. We’re pretty sure that’s not something you want to hear right now, but that’s the thing – maybe you need a reality check.

Maybe you need to understand yourself before you accuse the people around you of not understanding you. Knowing what you need, what triggers you, and what makes you happy can make a world of difference when you’re trying to talk about what you’re going through with your friends and family.

When you, for example, need support because you’re going through a breakup , knowing what type of support you need can make things easier for your friends and family. A hug, a safe space to open up, and a bit of advice are three different things, right? At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either.

2. Communicate clearly and constructively

Chances are, you’ve been hinting about your problems, venting to people who were willing to listen, and throwing around bits and bobs about what you’ve been going through – but you haven’t actually sat down with anyone to have a conversation about what’s been going on.

Putting your bottled-up feelings up for discussion can be a tough task, but you’re guaranteed to notice a difference when you take that burden off your chest. Approach someone willing to listen, someone you trust, and ask to have a heart-to-heart conversation.

Start by saying that you need to get something off your chest and be upfront with your expectations of them. Allow them to hear you out without withdrawing because you’re scared or embarrassed.

3. Find people who understand what you’re going through and relate to your problems

What are you supposed to do when you’ve got nobody to turn to? We always suggest turning to people who care about you because they’re more likely to understand why you’re feeling the way that you’re feeling. We do, however, understand that not everybody’s surrounded by friends and family.

When you feel like you’re all alone, you might want to branch out and try to reach out to people who are going through the same things you’re going through.

Whether you’re suffering from a disease that’s affecting the quality of your life or struggling with mental health, support groups, and online communities are a great way to start. Reach out to them and see what happens – you’d be surprised at how many people think they’re all alone when they’re not.

4. Find a way to express yourself differently

“Just talk to someone” sounds like the type of advice you get from someone who definitely doesn’t understand you. We know that expressing your emotions doesn’t come easily to you, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop trying.

When you notice that your heart-to-heart conversations aren’t going the way you wanted them to go and that you aren’t getting your point across, you might want to try a different approach.

Writing, for example, gives you enough time to figure out what you want to say, to gather your thoughts, and to express your emotions more creatively. Write a letter to your friend and see what happens. Making a playlist, creating a collage, or scrapbooking are all great ways to release your heartache and suffering.

5. Mind your self-esteem and your self-talk

“I feel like no one understands me” sounds a bit sad, right? Repeating negative thoughts every moment of the waking hour weighs you down and makes you question everything you’re doing. Talking down on yourself and blaming yourself for everything put you at risk of depression.

Going over all the times people have let you down, made you feel lonely, and made you feel like you didn’t fit in can create negative thinking patterns that are bound to make everything worse.

Whether you turn to meditating, writing down your thoughts, or even repeating positive affirmations, you need to do something to improve your self-esteem and better your self-talk. Don’t overgeneralize, don’t take everything personally, and don’t compare your life to others.

6. Match your body language to your words

We do need to explore the possibility that people around you don’t understand you because your body language doesn’t match your words. What do we mean by that?

When you’re trying to make your friend laugh and you say something funny, the expression on your face might send a message that you’re serious. Because of that, your friend might not understand your humor or might even get offended.

Similarly, when you’re trying to open up about something that’s been bothering you, you might be calming your nerves by smiling or fidgeting with something. So, your friend might not think that you’re serious and might not understand where you’re coming from.

7. Ditch the victim mentality

What’s the tea with the victim mentality?

Well, people with the victim mentality typically feel like the entire world wants to harm them, like bad things keep happening to them, and like no one understands them.

They blame everyone else for what’s happening to them and they take everything personally. They think that the entire world’s against them and they never take responsibility for anything.

What’s even worse, they don’t think that they need to change because they don’t see anything wrong with what they’re doing.

What are we suggesting? Dig deeper and try to figure out whether you’re suffering from the victim mentality. Ditch the victim mentality and take responsibility for your actions.

8. Get professional help

We’re not trying to diagnose you, but you might want to get professional help for anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, and other disorders that might be the root of your problems.

Whether you turn to a therapist, an online platform such as BetterHelp, or someone who’s experienced with whatever you’re going through, know that you’re doing the right thing.

Opening up to your friends and family members can help, but talking to people who understand your torments and know how to help you can save your life. We’re rooting for you!

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Quotation Celebration

Thoughts that show us the way…, “not everyone will understand your journey. that’s fine. it’s not their journey to make sense of. it’s yours.” (zero dean), self-appointed experts on your life.

Has someone ever told you that you should NOT DO something you were about to attempt? Has someone ever told you that you SHOULD DO something you were about to avoid?

Have you had someone say you were making the wrong decision when deep down you knew it was RIGHT? Or had someone say you were making the right decision when deep down you knew it was WRONG?

Have you known people who were self-appointed experts on EVERYONE ELSE? Even though their own life was kind of a mess? Have you ever found yourself struggling greatly about a decision, only to have someone come along and tell you the decision is EASY?

In a word, have you had people try to run your life? Who seemed to think they knew more about how you should live YOUR LIFE than you knew about how you should live YOUR LIFE. Have you had people criticize you for your choice, only to have others commend  you for the very same choice?

Have you found this whole scenario as tiring as I have?

Wait a minute

But wait a minute. Isn’t there value in wise counsel? Isn’t it helpful to get input from others—especially those who’ve been in a similar situation? Is it not a good idea to seek advice from others, and get the perspective of someone else? Maybe from someone who has a different vantage point than yours? Maybe a friend who sees things from a different angle than you do, and whose thoughts would be insightful?

Put simply…YES, OF COURSE. It’s nearly always helpful to ask for the counsel, advice, opinion, insight, or recommendation of someone else. But let’s look at a few qualifiers before you decide on the ONE you will ask.

—Has the person had a dose or two of personal experience?

—Has the person shared helpful insights with you in the past?

—Can the person keep a confidence if confidentiality is important?

—Will the person listen without judgment?

—Will they emphasize that though they have an opinion, the decision itself is yours?

—Are you confident they won’t reject you or abandon you if you don’t act on their counsel?

—Is the person typically judgmental, critical, belittling, or scolding?

—Does the person possess insight and understand nuance?

—Will the person be supportive of you in spite of a bad decision?

—Are they willing to admit their own mistakes in the past?

—Is the person honest enough to admit it when they DON’T REALLY KNOW?

This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s enough to get started. The ideal is to have 2-3 friends who meet all of the above criteria, and who’ve helped you in the past. The better their track record, the more likely they’ll offer you wise advice. Tell them you’d love to hear their advice, but that you’d like the freedom to consider it without necessarily following it. If they’re too insecure to allow this, you’ll want to find someone else.

Zero Dean and his point

Zero Dean is a modern writer, photographer, and artist. He has a book scheduled to come out in the near future. It’s called, Not Everyone Will Understand Your Journey: Lessons Learned from the Path Less Travelled.  You can see that the quotation I chose for today is the theme of his book. It’s excellent insight for anyone on their journey through life.

I think the main point we take from Dean’s quotation is that it’s not for others to either understand or make sense of our own particular journey. Nor is it our calling or duty to understand theirs.

A principle to take with us on our journey

We should be able to adopt an important principle in our relationships. That principle is this:

I will let you live your life the way you believe it should be lived—but I will gladly offer my own personal opinions, advice, and insights if you want to hear them. In turn you will let me live my own life the way I believe it should be lived—but you can offer me your own personal opinions, advice, and insights if I want to hear them.

We can journey together through life with this mutual understanding. The willingness to have our opinions and thoughts accepted or rejected. But to be assured that our opinions and thoughts will be RESPECTED and HONORED. To be willing to hear the opinions and thoughts of others—whether we agree with them or not. But always to treat them with RESPECT AND HONOR.

We should expect this behavior FROM our genuine friends. We should extend  this behavior TOWARD our genuine friends.

In the final analysis, we must make sense of our OWN JOURNEY. It’s not up to others to understand it or make sense of it. They might. They might not. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that WE UNDERSTAND OUR OWN JOURNEY. It needs to make sense TO US. Others can help us understand it. But the burden of understanding our OWN JOURNEY belongs to US— not to anyone else.

One of the most exhausting aspects of this matter occurs when we encounter people who believe they have the answer  for everything. And that they understand everything. Nobody understands everything. Feel free to be a KNOW-IT-SOME. Don’t be a KNOW-IT-ALL.

I leave you with the wise words of Criss Jami, who said:

“During the flames of controversy, opinions, mass disputes, conflict, and world news, sometimes the most precious, refreshing, peaceful words to hear amidst all the chaos are simply and humbly ‘I don’t know.’”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Thank you for reading Quotation Celebration.

Copyright © 2018 by Samuel Rodenhizer All Rights Reserved

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• Coping with Chronic Illness

Emotional Loneliness: 5 Things to Do When Nobody Understands You

• By Jennifer Mulder
• 7 December 2020
• 7 minute read

You can be in a room full of people and still feel incredibly lonely. No one really sees you, hears what you’re trying to say, or understands what you’re going through. When you feel this way, what can you do?

People often think that loneliness and being alone are the same thing. But that’s not necessarily true. You can be on your own and have a great time, curled up on the couch with a good book , playing the piano or taking yourself on an artist date . If you’re introverted, you probably even need alone time to recharge.

That’s why loneliness isn’t so much a state of solitude as it is about feeling alone, while you crave human connection. That emptiness can be caused by having a limited social network, with little (close) family and friends to talk to and spend time with. But there’s a second kind of loneliness that’s often overlooked: emotional loneliness .

Emotional loneliness refers to the lack of deep, nurturing relationships with people. If that’s feeling when you really want to talk to someone, but there’s nobody you can call in the middle of the night. You may also experience emotional loneliness when you lose someone you love or go through a divorce.

The problem is, when you’re chronically ill, you’re at risk of both kinds of loneliness. If you spend a lot of time sick in bed or resting at home, you can become socially isolated or have friendships fall apart. I’ve written before about how you can strengthen your support system and make new friends with chronic illness . But even if you do have close relationships, it may still feel like your life is so different now, that nobody really understands your pain, worries and rollercoaster of emotions.

How do you deal with that hollow, aching feeling inside? I don’t have all the answers, but here are some ideas to deal with emotional loneliness. 

Emotional Loneliness: What to Do When Nobody Understand You

1. learn how to communicate clearly & constructively.

If you have caring friends and family in your life, have you given them a chance to really grasp your situation? Maybe you’ve only been hinting about your problems, but so subtly that your loved ones didn’t pick it up. Or perhaps you’ve mistaken venting for sharing your problems.

To stop feeling so lonely, work out ways you can share your struggles in a clear and constructive manner.  Putting your bottled up feelings into words can reduce the intensity of your sadness, anger and frustration over time – but only if you do it ‘right’. Of course there’s no one way to talk bout hard things , but here are some pointers:

Pick a person you trust and who’s willing to listen. Choose a timing and setting where there’s room for heart-to-heart conversations. Start by saying you want to share something you’re struggling with. Sometimes it helps to be clear upfront of what you need: “Don’t worry, you don’t have to come up with solutions for me, it would just be such a relief to get this off my chest. Would you lend a listening ear?” That way, expectations are clear, and you don’t get interrupted with well-meaning advice but still don’t feel heard.

When you can’t find the right words to say, maybe you can find a book or movie who does the explaining for you? Or perhaps you could get educated about your problem together?

Just remember one thing: if your conversation doesn’t turn out as you’d hoped, don’t get discouraged or rejected. Sometimes things take time to sink in. What’s more, it’s just one person, not the entire world. There’s always someone who cares and gets it. Which bring me to my next point…

2. Find people who  do  understand what you’re going through

Got nobody to turn to? It may feel like you’re all alone, no one who could possible understand the pain you’re going through. But somewhere in the world, there are others who are struggling with their chronic illness, mental health, sexual orientation or beliefs just like you.

Support groups and online communities can be a great way to get started. For example, The Mighty is a supportive community for people facing health challenges, while PatientsLikeMe helps members to get answers, take charge of their health and heal together. You can find a starter list of patient communities here , but don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about local, in-person initiatives for your condition.

Although talking about your problems proves to be helpful, it’s tempting to keep focusing on the problem you have in common. But narrowing down on the negatives only causes more distress. So don’t identify too much with ‘labels ‘ – you are more than your problems.

And as always, be mindful about who you share personal and confidential details with, especially online.

3. Express yourself in a different way

So you have a hard time explaining how you feel in conversations. That doesn’t have to stop you from expressing your emotions. Writing, for example, gives you time to gather and compose your thoughts, whereas painting and making collages helps you articulate feelings you can’t put into words. You could also make a playlist that reflects what you’re going through and process your sadness through songs.

Creatively expressing yourself through  journaling, drawing, singing or intuitive dancing can provide some much-needed emotional release. And who knows, maybe reading your words or seeing your drawings helps others to get an idea of what you’re going through too.

When you’re struggling with emotional loneliness, you can always turn to books, movies and music. Some of the most beautiful works of art have come from heartache and suffering, showing you you are not alone.

4. Mind your self-talk

Emotional loneliness gives you an empty feeling inside, that weighs you down. And being socially excluded hurts – literally . It’s no wonder that lasting loneliness puts you at risk for depression. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your internal dialogue.

Because if in your mind, you keep going over all the times that people have let you down or how lonely you are, that will only make you feel worse. You don’t have to ignore your sadness, but watch out for creating automatic negative thinking patterns .

Don’t overgeneralize. When one person makes insensitive remarks, that doesn’t mean that nobody understands you. Also don’t take everything personally. Most of the time, peoples choices have little to do with you and more with (a lack of) time, money and energy. Finally, don’t compare your life to others. What you see on Instagram is a highlight reel, not the full picture. If you’re prone to social media envy , do yourself a favor and stop watching those carefully curated snapshots.

Instead of engaging in negative self-talk, try to keep your mind positively distracted during lonely moments. Do crossword puzzles, create a mood board or bake a cake – whatever entertains you!

5. Reach out

Don’t give up connecting with people because no one seems to truly understand your situation. The more you retreat, the less included you will feel, and the harder it will be to find someone who you can confide in.

Of course you don’t want hurtful or one-way street relationships. But if you’re blessed with relatives, old friends or former colleagues who try to stay in touch, even if it’s not on the level you’d like, don’t turn them down. Keep reaching out to the kind people in your life in big or small ways.

When it comes to reaching out, also considering talking to a doctor, therapist or social worker about your emotional loneliness. They are there to help. Please be aware of the warning signs of depression .

And even though it doesn’t always feel that way, remember: You are not alone.

‘The irony of loneliness is we all feel it at the same time – together.’ – Rupi Kaur

Do you struggle with emotional loneliness? What helps you to cope with the heartache? 

If you enjoyed reading this article, you might also like:

• 13 Loneliness Quotes That’ll Make You Feel Less Alone
• Bibliotherapy: How Reading Fiction Makes You Feel Better
• 7 Ways to Make New Friends When You’re Chronically Ill 

Related articles in Coping with Chronic Illness

6 ways to adjust to a new normal.

A Guide to Healing from the Emotional Impact of Medical Trauma

How You Can Benefit from Keeping a Sleep Diary

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“No one understands me” (8 reasons why + what to do)

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The world can be a lonely place when you feel as though no one understands you.

It’s not like your ideas or behavior are that outlandish.

They just don’t conform to how everyone else thinks and acts. 

You like different things.

The way you see the world is unique.

Because of that, you feel like a square peg in a round hole everywhere you go. 

Perhaps even amongst your family and friends, you don’t feel as if you entirely belong.

You stick out like a sore thumb whenever you get together.

To avoid the inevitable eye rolls, blank stares, or “Huh?” you nod in agreement and stay silent, pretending to agree.

If you were to voice your opinion, they’d only pretend to understand what you’re saying.

They wouldn’t get it, or you.

Feeling this way can be a real burden, leading to isolation from friends, family members, and other support systems.

You start to feel disconnected from everyone .

And when that happens, depression and other mental health challenges are sure to follow.

Sound familiar?

Keep reading to discover some of the reasons people might not ‘get’ you, and importantly, what you can do about it.

Speak to an accredited and experienced therapist to help you if you feel misunderstood by others. You may want to try speaking to one via BetterHelp.com for quality care at its most convenient.

Why Does No One Understand Me?

It’s easy to jump to negative conclusions when you feel no one understands you.

Maybe they don’t understand you because they think you’re weird. Or perhaps there’s something wrong with you.

Luckily, that’s usually not the case.

You are not so weird that no one understands you out of billions of people in this world.

Nothing could be so wrong with you that no one could relate to or comprehend you.

Then why do you feel this way? 

Here are 8 possible reasons:

1.  You don’t know who you are.

Sometimes, the challenge of feeling misunderstood starts with needing to know who you really are.

It’s like you’re looking in a mirror but seeing a blurry reflection. 

You can’t quite see what you look like. It’s almost as though you’re putting on an act, pretending to be someone you’re not. 

Many of us have been told who we should be or what we should like all our lives. Only as adults have we been free to try to answer those questions for ourselves. 

But when you don’t know yourself, you can hardly blame others for not knowing or understanding you.

If you want to  find your place in the world,  if you want others to know and ‘get’ you, you must develop self-awareness and know yourself first.

2. You’re afraid.

Fear might be the underlying emotion when you feel no one understands you.

Perhaps you’ve been hurt before. As a result, the memory of the pain you went through makes it difficult for you to open up to others. 

You’re afraid of intimacy and vulnerability, so you unknowingly push people away.

Or you fear rejection, so you’re wary of exposing your true self to others to avoid being rebuffed or turned down.

Maybe you’re terrified of what others think about you, or you’re afraid of not being liked when you’re being yourself. You worry other people are judging you, which colors and overshadows your interactions. 

Hurt feelings and broken trust can be very hard to mend. So, to protect yourself, you keep at a safe distance. You’ve built a wall around your heart to protect it from harm.

What you don’t realize is that while it keeps you safe from hurt and pain, it’s also keeping you from love and understanding. 

3. Your relationship is codependent.

In codependent relationships, boundaries are blurred, and individual identities are lost in the shuffle.

The lines between your and the other person’s needs are so intertwined that you feel entangled and unseen. 

Your thoughts, desires, and feelings are not your own. You’re not a unique individual.

Instead, you’re a combination of personalities that do not reflect your true identity.

Add to that the constant need for approval and validation, which is a characteristic of co-dependent relationships, and it’s no wonder you feel as if no one understands you.

No one can see you .

Your codependent relationship has overshadowed who you truly are. 

4. Your communication style is different from those around you.

People may not understand what you’re saying or struggle to grasp your thoughts and feelings if you use a different communication style to them (and they to you).

Perhaps you have difficulty expressing your wants, desires, and thoughts verbally. The right words might elude you.

Or conversely maybe your friends and family use language in a way you don’t understand, and things get taken the wrong way.

Perhaps you assume your close friends and family should know what you mean because of your intimate relationship.

Communication is a two-way street. Expressing your thoughts, desires, and needs is crucial for fostering understanding.

So, for both parties, it’s important to be explicit and not assume people know what you mean.

If you find expressing yourself difficult, explain this to people so they can be more understanding.

That way when misunderstandings happen, people can act with compassion, rather than taking offense.

5. You expect one person to meet all your needs.

It’s possible you feel misunderstood because you expect one person to meet all your emotional, mental, and physical needs.

It’s like you’re living in a house that has multiple doors, all with different locks. But you expect a single key to open all the doors. 

As complex human beings, one person can’t understand every aspect of our multifaceted personalities. 

One person cannot be everything to you and for you. You need different people to contribute to your diverse needs.

For example, different people may be better at providing emotional, social, practical, or informational support.

You will rarely find someone who excels in all those areas, so expecting one person to support you in all those ways will only lead to disappointment and isolation.

Different connections serve different purposes.

Embracing this reality helps to alleviate the burden on any particular relationship, fostering a more realistic and fulfilling approach to human connections.

6. Your relationship is moving too fast.

Do you expect your relationships to bloom overnight?

If you often feel like others don’t understand you, it might be because your relationships are moving too fast.

Relationships need time to unfold naturally.

Pushing for speed in a new relationship may create an illusion of understanding rather than foster a genuine connection. It takes time for trust and intimacy to deepen.

Wanting to become close to someone quickly makes it hard for deep understanding to grow. Also, expecting your partner to be everything to and for you makes it hard for you to see how others can help and support you.

Relationships, like stories, work best when they go at their own pace.

7. You’re suffering from depression.

You may be feeling as though nobody understands you because of an underlying mental health condition like depression.

Mental health problems can cause you to feel as though you have a heavy, dark cloud over you, making everything seem harder. 

You’ll struggle to articulate your emotions or you may even hide them out of shame.

This will make it especially hard for others to understand what you’re feeling or going through. 

Your mental health may even influence your perception, causing you to feel as though no one understands you.

If you find yourself caught in the grips of a mental health crisis, it’s important to recognize that it’s not a personal shortcoming but a condition that many people battle.

8. You have the wrong group of friends.

Surrounding yourself with the wrong group of friends can make you feel misunderstood.

It’s like trying to wear your shoes on the wrong foot; the fit just isn’t right. Your feet will feel uncomfortable and restricted. 

Being constantly surrounded by people who don’t resonate with your values and interests, or who don’t understand your communication style, can lead to a sense of isolation.

It could also be that the friends you have no longer fit with the person you’re becoming as you mature and grow.

It’s okay to outgrow your social group as you evolve and change. Friends who once understood you might not necessarily continue to do so as you embark on new paths and gain new perspectives.

Don’t stay with people out of familiarity. Forcing yourself to stay with the wrong group of friends might eventually impact your sense of connection. 

What To Do About It

Now that you understand why you feel misunderstood let’s figure out what you can do about it.

These 10 suggestions will not only help others better understand you, but they’ll also help you better understand yourself.

In turn, you’ll be better able to build stronger connections with other people.

You may wish to consider speaking to a therapist, either in person or via an online platform such as BetterHelp.com because professional therapy can be highly effective in helping you to work through issues such as feeling misunderstood by everyone in your life.

1. Look at your communication skills.

Working out the best way to communicate with others is essential to ensuring people understand you.

Try a different approach if your usual way of talking doesn’t get your message across. 

You could try taking a moment to think clearly about what you want to say before you say it. Or jotting down your thoughts so you have clarity on your message. 

If you know you struggle with verbal communication, tell people. They will (hopefully) be more compassionate and forgiving of any conversational faux pas if they know.

Similarly, if you know you take things literally or find it hard to follow long-winded stories, politely explain this so other people can adjust their communication style.

Another point to consider is adapting your communication based on who you’re talking to.

We don’t all understand things the same way or at the same level. Use simple words you know everyone will understand to ensure your message is understood.

Effective communication is not just about expressing yourself. It’s also about listening and understanding others.

When done correctly, communication fosters connection.

You cultivate better understanding and deeper connections by actively working on expressing yourself in different ways, adjusting your approach based on your audience, and being a good listener.

So, explore different ways of maximizing your communication skills. This may also mean finding people who communicate in the same style as you to avoid misunderstandings (more on this later).

This can make a significant difference in helping you feel more understood and building meaningful connections with those around you.

2. Change your mindset.

Changing your mindset is a great way to help you stop feeling as though you’re being misunderstood.

Instead of viewing this experience as negative, consider it an opportunity to gain clarity and build deeper connections.  

People may not always comprehend your perspective immediately. But does that mean they don’t want to understand?

Absolutely not.

Maybe they need to hear your message differently.

Use situations like this as opportunities to explain yourself differently. See them as avenues to fostering clearer communication.

Also, change your focus. Stop focusing on what people don’t understand and focus on what they do understand. 

We often get caught up in believing that ‘nobody understands me’.

However, if you pay attention, you’ll likely find instances where people do show understanding.

It just might not be in the way you expect or to the degree you’d like.

Acknowledge and appreciate those moments.

Lastly, let go of the victim mentality, where you feel like everything is happening to you.

Recognize that you can influence and shape your experiences. You regain a sense of control by taking responsibility for your actions and reactions.

You have the power and the ability to help people understand you or to find people who do understand you.

It’s all within your control.

Your mindset alters the way you see the world. By changing it, you empower yourself to navigate relationships with a more positive and open perspective, paving the way for greater understanding.

3. Understand yourself.

If you want others to understand you, you must first understand yourself.

Other people can’t possibly understand you if you don’t.

That’s why self-awareness is crucial in helping you overcome the feeling of being misunderstood.

Start by reflecting on yourself—think about your thoughts, feelings, and what truly matters to you.

Ask yourself these questions to truly get to know yourself :

• What do I like?
• What don’t I like?
• What matters to me?
• What am I good at?
• What drives me?
• Why do I do what I do?

Take some time off from the busyness of life to delve deep into these questions. Consider it a pause for self-discovery, away from external influences. 

They’ll help you figure out who you are at your core.

Once you’ve done that, fall in love with yourself by acknowledging and embracing your strengths. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognize your unique qualities.

Self-love is a foundation for building confidence and resilience.

Lots of people find journaling can be a powerful tool in this journey. Journalling allows you to track your growth, gain insights into your emotions, and clarify your goals. 

See your journal as your private space to express yourself openly and honestly. Write down your thoughts, experiences, and aspirations.

Understanding yourself on a deep level involves acknowledging your values, passions, and boundaries.

When you clearly understand who you are, you can communicate your needs more effectively, leading to a greater chance of being understood by others.

This process is not about perfection but about continuous self-discovery and acceptance.

It’s about fostering a stronger sense of self and more meaningful connections with those around you.

4. Understand others.

To receive understanding, give it to others.

Understanding other people is vital to fostering meaningful connections. 

So be open-minded and patient and offer the understanding you wish to receive.

Empathy is at the heart of this process. 

Put yourself in the shoes of others, even if you have never shared their experience and cannot relate to it. Believe that their experiences are real and valid.

Seek to understand their perspectives and feelings. This creates a foundation for mutual understanding. It helps build reciprocal understanding and nurtures stronger connections.

Give vulnerability a chance.

As scary as that feels, open yourself up to other people. Allow yourself and others to express genuine thoughts and emotions without judgment.

When vulnerability is embraced, it paves the way for more authentic and profound connections.

Understanding others involves recognizing the uniqueness of each person and appreciating the diversity of experiences.

Incorporating empathy, reciprocity, and vulnerability contribute to a more connected and understanding social landscape.

In doing so, you create a space for others to be understood and increase the likelihood of receiving the understanding you desire.

5. Build up your self-esteem.

Self-esteem plays a crucial role in you feeling understood and confident in your interactions with others.

If it’s low, you’re more likely to feel misunderstood. On the other hand, if your self-esteem is high, you’ll be better equipped emotionally and mentally to view misunderstanding positively.

The first step toward building self-esteem is paying attention to your self-talk. Be aware of the language you use when talking to yourself.

Challenge those negative thoughts. Replace self-criticism with positive affirmations that highlight your strengths and achievements.

Address your fears, whether it’s a fear of failure, success, rejection, imposter syndrome, or whatever else.

Fear is a part of life. You’ll never be without it. So, in the words of Susan Jeffers, learn how to, “Feel the fear and do it anyway” through continuous action. Don’t let it keep you frozen in insecurity. Don’t wait for it to go away.

Take small steps to gradually overcome your fears, like initiating conversations or expressing your opinions. 

Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the kindness you’d offer a friend. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, and mistakes do not diminish your value.

Set realistic goals and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Engage in activities that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Pursue hobbies, set personal goals, and acknowledge your progress.

Enhancing your self-esteem builds a stronger foundation for understanding and expressing yourself authentically.

Building self-esteem is an ongoing process, but with consistent effort and self-compassion, you can create a positive self-image that positively impacts your connections with others.

6. Find your tribe.

If you want to break the cycle of feeling misunderstood, find your tribe.

Look for a community of like-minded people with whom you can share your thoughts openly.

Connecting with people who share similar values and interests, or who communicate in a similar way to you, creates a supportive environment where understanding becomes more likely.

To find like-minded people, explore social groups, clubs, or communities that align with your interests and communication style.

Attend events or gatherings where you can meet individuals who share common passions.

Online platforms and forums dedicated to specific topics can also be valuable in connecting with your tribe.

When you finally find your ideal social group, talk often and openly with them. This is what it takes to make friends as an adult . You have to take time out of your schedule to connect and for regular communication. 

Try to express your thoughts, feelings, and experiences within this trusted circle. Be yourself around them. Let them see the true you.

The more you do this, the more likely you will be genuinely understood.

Being part of a tribe offers a space where your thoughts and feelings are acknowledged and accepted.

This shared understanding can lead to a more fulfilling sense of connection and reduce feelings of loneliness in your experiences.

Building and nurturing these connections with like-minded individuals creates a supportive foundation that enhances the likelihood of being truly understood.

7. Embrace your uniqueness.

Accept that people will misunderstand you.

It’s a part of life.

Not everyone will see things from your perspective, and that’s okay.

Embrace your uniqueness by acknowledging that your thoughts, feelings, and experiences are distinct to you. Refrain from constantly seeking validation. Stop looking for things that help you come across as ‘normal’ .

You’re not ‘normal’.  And that’s ok.

So accept it.

After all, everyone is unique. Just as you have your distinct qualities, so do others.

Engage in social situations that allow you to interact with various people. By exposing yourself to different viewpoints and backgrounds, you broaden your understanding and allow others to appreciate your uniqueness.

Embracing your uniqueness is about letting go of your need for constant approval and understanding.

Focus on celebrating your individuality and recognizing that diversity in thought and experience enriches your life and interactions with others.

By accepting that, you acknowledge that misunderstandings are inevitable, and aren’t something to fear.

8. Reach out.

Don’t wait for people to ask you what’s wrong.

Don’t assume  you’re being excluded from things .

Everyone has something they’re battling with. As such, they’re often thinking about themselves and their problems.

If you wait for someone to check in with you, there’s a good chance they won’t notice if or when you’re struggling. They might simply forget. 

So reach out.

Ask for help or support when you need it. This is a sign of strength and not weakness.

Think of the different types of support we mentioned earlier and decide which one you need right now: social, emotional, practical, or informational.

Then consider who in your life is best placed to offer this type of support and approach that person.

Most people are happy to help, especially if it’s something they know they are good at.

If it’s your first time doing this, it can feel awkward. So start small.

Be more open with those around you by sharing your thoughts and feelings. Openness creates a space for understanding to flourish.

Practice being vulnerable. Talk about your experiences and challenges.

Sharing your vulnerabilities deepens connections and opens the door for others to reciprocate, fostering a more understanding environment.

Initiate conversations that go beyond the surface. By sharing more about yourself and expressing your thoughts, you create opportunities for deeper relationships. 

Reaching out is an active step toward breaking the cycle of feeling misunderstood.

Remember, it’s not a sign of weakness but a powerful act of self-care and a pathway to building stronger connections with those around you.

9. Seek professional help.

Get help for underlying issues that may be contributing to you feeling misunderstood, especially if you’re grappling with a mental health condition like depression.

Therapists can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you address these underlying challenges and develop healthy coping mechanisms. 

They are trained to navigate complex emotions. They provide a safe space for open communication without judgment.

BetterHelp.com is a website where you can connect with a therapist via phone, video, or instant message.

Therapy can equip you with tools to manage stress, understand your communication style, and build healthier relationships.

By addressing mental health concerns, therapy becomes a pivotal resource in fostering a deeper understanding of yourself and your interactions with others.

Here’s that link again if you’d like to learn more about the service BetterHelp.com provide and the process of getting started.

10. Be patient.

Exercise patience with yourself during the process of seeking understanding.

The feeling of being misunderstood is a universal experience. Everyone encounters it at some point.

Be patient with your emotions. Recognize that working through these feelings takes time.

The journey toward being understood is a process. So, give yourself the space to grow and evolve.

Extend patience to others as well. Just as you strive for understanding, recognize that those around you are also on their individual journeys.

People may not always grasp your perspective immediately. Being patient in your communication can lead to a clearer understanding over time.

Patience is not a sign of passive waiting but an active acknowledgment of the time and effort required to foster genuine connections.

By being patient with yourself and the process, you contribute to a more compassionate and understanding environment for yourself and those around you.

It’s vital to recognize that everyone is unique, with their own set of thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

The journey toward feeling understood involves navigating through these differences with patience and open-mindedness.

Building a supportive tribe that celebrates your uniqueness can help.

But misunderstandings are bound to happen. They are a natural part of human interaction.

Rather than viewing them as barriers, see them as opportunities for clarification and growth.

By acknowledging the uniqueness of yourself and others and accpeing that misunderstandings are a natural part of the human experience, you pave the way for more fulfilling and empathetic connections in your journey toward feeling truly understood.

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No one gets me: what to do when you feel misunderstood

Resources blogs no one gets me: what to do when you feel misunderstood.

Do you feel like no one really gets you? That you’ve never properly felt emotionally supported by someone else before? It’s as though there’s a void, something missing – a sense of emptiness you can’t quite place…

As human beings, we are all vulnerable. And no more so when we’re a child. If you look at a small child, the chances are you see it expressing it’s emotions pretty freely. As we grow older, we may grow wiser in some respects, but the depth of those emotions remain the same. The difference? We learn how to channel those emotions in healthy, more “socially acceptable” ways.

But what happens when that child is shut down when it expresses its emotions? Maybe it’s told to simply “get over it” or to stop being “such a baby”. Over time, the child learns that emotions are negative, something to be stuffed away and hidden from view. It learns to expect that no one is going to listen to its emotions. It may even learn to deny this part of itself completely.

If you grew up with parents who were distant, unpredictable or aloof and relate to any of the above statements, the chances are that you grew up emotionally deprived . This doesn’t mean that you had a terrible childhood. To the contrary – perhaps you had everything you needed in terms of material things. What was lacking was emotional connection . You didn’t feel heard; your parents didn’t get you .

What’s the problem with this?

The emotional self is a part of us. Whether we like it or not, we will never be able to deny it completely. And if we try, it’s only going to start vying for our attention, rearing its head in uglier ways – anger, loneliness, frustration, feeling “empty” or numb…

Our beliefs about the world determine our behaviour. If we haven’t felt emotionally heard as a child, we’re going to believe that no one can fill that role for us when we’re older too. And if we move through life never expecting someone to understand or show up for us, they probably never will. We might wind up choosing partners who can’t give to us (similar to our parents) or behave in such an erratic way whereby we end up creating the kind of behaviour we’ve come to expect.

How does this play out?

• You might feel different to everyone else, as though there’s something “wrong” with you or that you’re unlovable in some way.
• You might end up over-compensating by demanding that your needs be met. At the other extreme, maybe you’re clingy and needy, and have a tendency to become codependent in relationships.
• You give out more than you get back. You support other people but never seem to get the same love and care in return. Giving provides you with a sense of purpose.
• You people-please and feel the need to get everyone to like you.
• You avoid asking for what you need at an emotional level. You might have a tendency to assume that people should just automatically know.
• You may deny the fact that you have any emotional needs at all, acting stronger than how you feel underneath.
• You choose partners who are aloof, cold and distant.
• You fear intimacy and avoid relationships completely, because you believe at a fundamental level no one is going to be able to show up for you in the way you need.
• You bottle up your emotions. Because of this, you might find yourself lashing out at small, insignificant things that seem out of proportion.

To deny our vulnerability is to deny what it means to be human. We can’t be strong all the time . No one can. We need to find a balance between strength and weakness, and learn how to swing between the two – knowing that we will always find our way back to the middle again (no matter how overwhelming something feels at the time).

No one understands me: steps to take to overcome this feeling

1. The first step is to recognise how this is playing out in your life. Up until now, you might not have even realised that anything is wrong. Owning your emotions, and understanding that everyone has emotional needs is an essential first step.

2. Re-connect with your vulnerability. If you’ve spent a lifetime stuffing down your emotions, you’re going to have to work a bit to access them again. What are your needs? Do you feel undervalued? How can you better communicate your needs?

3. You need to learn how to choose appropriate partners and friends. We all deserve to give and receive love, and we all crave warmth and affection. Never feel ashamed to communicate what you need in order to feel supported and heard in your relationships.

4. Practice healthy, non-aggressive communication. There’s a difference between requesting something and demanding it e.g. “When you go ‘x’, it makes me feel like…” rather than “I hate the way you…”

How can therapy help?

Emotional deprivation is a psychological trauma that has the potential to be just as devastating as any other kind of trauma. However, because it is a “non-experience” or lack of something, it’s sometimes difficult to spot. Therapy provides a safe space to delve a bit deeper and explore how this emptiness came about. Once you get the root to it, you can start to access the parts of yourself you have been unwittingly pushing away, and work towards building a life that is filled with love, warmth and connection.

Dr Elena Touroni

19 June 2022

"Dr. Elena Touroni is a skilled and experienced Consultant Psychologist with a track record of delivering high-quality services for individuals with all common emotional difficulties and those with a diagnosis of personality disorder. She is experienced in service design and delivery, the management of multi-disciplinary teams, organisational consultancy, and development and delivery of both national and bespoke training to providers in the statutory and non-statutory sector."

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Start your journey, athena lazaridou.

Athena is a Pilates instructor with 8 years’ experience in the field. After completing a Power Pilates Mat Certification in Athens, she went on to complete the Full Comprehensive Classical Pilates Certification with Equinox in Kensington.  She has been teaching Pilates at Equinox for the past 6 years in addition to her own private clients who she trains both face to face and virtually.

Athena has a passion for helping people get stronger and fitter as well as helping those recovering from injury regain their strength and mobility.  Over the years, she has worked with athletes to incorporate Pilates into their training and improve performance. Athena has also worked with prenatal and postnatal women who may be experiencing depression or other mental health difficulties and used Pilates to facilitate a positive impact on their mental health.

Athena is very passionate about improving physical and mental well-being and has recently incorporated Sound Healing into her work, as she believes it to be one of the best ways of ‘letting go’ and releasing stale energy whilst increasing greater self-awareness.

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“True love is born from understanding.” ~Buddha

I believe one of our strongest desires in life is to feel understood.

We want to know that people see our good intentions and not only get where we’re coming from but get us .

We want to know they see us. They recognize the thoughts, feelings, and struggles that underlie our choices, and they not only empathize but maybe even relate. And maybe they’d do the same thing if they were in our shoes.

Maybe, if they’d been where we’ve been, if they’d seen what we’ve seen, they’d stand right where we are now, in the same circumstances, with the same beliefs, making the same choices.

Underneath all these maybes is the desire to feel validated.

We’re social creatures, and we thrive when feel a sense of belonging. That requires a certain sense of safety, which hinges upon feeling valued and accepted . But those feelings don’t always come easily.

There was a time when one of my relationships felt incredibly unsafe. I never felt understood or validated, and worse, I often got the sense the other person didn’t care to understand me.

When you’re the one withholding the comfort of understanding, it can imbue you with a sense of power. And it also creates a sense of separation, which, for some, feels safer than closeness.

This person often assumed the worst of me—that I was selfish and weak—and interpreted things I did through this lens.

They would belittle my beliefs and opinions, as if they warranted neither consideration nor respect.

And they would even make fun of me when I tried to share my thoughts and feelings, minimizing not only my perspective but also my personhood. Like I had no value. Like I wasn’t worth hearing out. Like I didn’t deserve respect.

It hurts to feel like someone doesn’t care to see where you’re coming from or hear what you have to say.

It hurts to feel like someone is more committed to misunderstanding you than developing any sense of common ground.

It hurts to feel invalidated.

We often take that pain and churn into anger. Or at least that’s what I did.

I fought. I screamed. I cried. I tried to force them to see my basic goodness and view the world from my vantage point.

I tried to impose my will upon them—the will to be valued and heard—regardless of whether they were willing or capable of giving me those courtesies. And I caused myself a lot of pain, all the while justifying this madness with an indignant sense of righteousness.

Because people should try to understand. People should treat each other with respect. People should be kind and loving and open. Because that would make the world feel safe.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned: Should is always a trap. Things will never be exactly as we think they should be, and resisting this only causes us pain.

But more importantly, there’s something more empowering than trying to force other people to be who we think they should be—and that’s being that person ourselves.

In this case, I realized, that meant understanding the person who wouldn’t or maybe couldn’t understand me.

Remember what I wrote about separation feeling safer for some than closeness?

This was actually a huge insight for me. That perhaps when someone seems unwilling to embrace me with understanding, it’s more that they’re unable to let me in, for reasons I might not ever know.

I actually did a lot digging to try to understand what would make someone—and specifically, this someone—closed off to understanding. What pain could have hardened their heart so dramatically? As often happens when you dig, I found a lot to explain it.

I found unresolved traumas that likely led to deep feelings of shame and vulnerability—which likely cemented into a need to always be and appear strong. Impenetrable. And when you’re impenetrable, not much can get in. Not new ideas, and definitely not attempts at deep connection. Which is really sad when you think about.

Sure, it hurts to feel someone doesn’t understand you. But can you imagine the pain of rarely understanding anyone because letting someone into your heart actually hurts? Can you imagine living life so guarded, so scared, constantly hiding—and possibly without even realizing it?

I’ve come to believe that when someone won’t make any effort to understand us, this is usually what it comes down: deep pain that’s blocking them from love.

They might be shut down to everyone. Or specific ideas that trigger something from their past. Or maybe we, ourselves, are the trigger.

Maybe we remind them of something they want to forget. Maybe our very presence forces them to come face to face with something they’d rather avoid.

I remember reading an article once about the contentious relationship women often have with their mothers-in-law. The author used, as an example, a mother-in-law who always complained about her daughter-in-law’s couch, and then wrote, “You never know. She may have been raped on a couch that looked just like yours.”

This hit me hard. The thought that everyone has secret pains, sequestered in shame, that often manifest in hurtful behaviors.

I know I’ve been there before. Though I’m not proud to admit it, I’ve shut people out or shut them down because they’ve triggered something painful in me. Knowing this, I understand how pain can bring out the worst in us.

Considering this doesn’t justify disrespect or mistreatment of any kind. It doesn’t condone abuse. But if we really want understanding, maybe the key is to choose understanding.

Maybe the secret is to broaden our perspective beyond what would make us feel safe in a moment so we can do our part to help create a greater sense of safety for everyone we encounter.

Maybe by choosing to offer understanding, we can influence the people around us to heal their pains so they can one day open their heart a little wider. When they’re ready. When they feel safe.

So what’s the best thing to say to someone who doesn’t understand you? I think it’s, “I understand that you can’t understand.”

I think it’s accepting the other person where they are, even if you have no idea where they’ve come from or what’s driving them.

Because even if we don’t know the specifics, we can know there’s some explanation—some complex web of past events and psychological factors that make them who and how they are.

This isn’t easy to do.

It often requires us to create boundaries, whether that means avoiding specific conversations or even creating physical distance in that relationship.

It requires us to pause and connect with our deepest intentions before reacting impulsively, defensively, in anger.

And it also requires us to mourn and let go of the relationship we hoped to have, knowing we’re offering the kind of compassion and consideration to someone else that they may never be able to give us back.

I take comfort in knowing this is the higher road, not because I feel superior on higher ground but because it’s less painful there—for me, and for everyone I encounter in my life.

When I choose to be the change I wish to see, it’s less important to me that everyone else sees me, values me, gets me, and understands my good intentions—because I do. Because I know I am coming from a place of love, kindness, and integrity.

And this is a strong foundation for navigating a world full of hurt people who aren’t ready or able to love.

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people overcome internal blocks to meeting their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here .

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Buyer personas: Your blueprint to market success

Creating a successful product or service requires more than just a great idea. It requires a deep understanding of your customers. 

Who are they? What do they need? What motivates their purchasing decisions? This is where buyer personas come into play.

A buyer persona is a semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer. It’s built from real data and informed speculation about customer demographics, behavior patterns, motivations, and goals. The purpose of creating buyer personas is to gain valuable insights into your target market. This allows you to tailor your marketing, product development , and sales strategies to meet their specific needs.

Why buyer personas are important

Imagine trying to sell a product or service without knowing who you’re selling it to. You might have a rough idea of your target audience, but without clear buyer personas, you could send out the wrong marketing messages or focus on the wrong types of customers. The result? Your efforts could miss the mark, wasting both time and resources.

When you create buyer personas, you’re creating a map to guide your efforts. Personas help you understand your potential customers' pain points, motivations, and preferences. This knowledge allows you to create more effective marketing campaigns, streamline your sales team’s efforts , and even drive smarter product development decisions.

1. Creating buyer personas

The first step in creating a buyer persona is research—lots of it. You’ll need to conduct audience research and collect information about your existing and prospective customers. The more data you gather, the more accurate your personas will be. This isn’t a quick process, but it is crucial for long-term success.

Start by analyzing demographic information such as age, gender, location, job title, and income level. You’ll also want to look at behavioral data: What websites do they visit? What do they buy online? How do they interact with your brand on social media? What are their biggest frustrations (aka pain points)?

The goal is to use a blend of quantitative data (like analytics and sales reports) and qualitative insights (like customer feedback) to create detailed personas that represent your target audience.

2. Understanding your target market

Now that you have your buyer personas, it’s time to look at the bigger picture: your target market. Understanding your market means more than just knowing who your customers are. It involves identifying trends, assessing the competitive landscape , and understanding how your product or service fits into your potential customers' lives.

Your personas will guide you here, helping you pinpoint which market segments to focus on. For instance, if your personas reveal that your ideal customers are millennials passionate about sustainability , this will influence everything from your product development decisions to how you craft your marketing messages.

This deep understanding of your target market will allow you to make more informed decisions as you develop your business strategy. You’ll be able to see gaps in the market that your competitors aren’t addressing, and you can position your offering to fill those gaps in a way that resonates with your personas.

3. Aligning your sales team

One of the biggest challenges for any sales team is knowing how to connect with diverse customers. When you have well-defined buyer personas, this becomes a lot easier. Your salespeople can approach each lead with a better understanding of their needs and preferences, allowing them to tailor their pitch to each persona.

For example, a salesperson dealing with a persona representing a cost-conscious buyer will emphasize value and cost-saving benefits. On the other hand, when selling to a persona that prioritizes innovation and cutting-edge features, they can highlight the unique advantages of your product or service.

The key is ensuring that your sales team is fully equipped with the knowledge they need to recognize and address the different personas. This might involve specific training sessions, detailed persona briefs, and ongoing feedback loops to refine their approach.

4. Crafting targeted marketing messages

Another area where buyer personas shine is creating relevant, personalized marketing messages. Once you understand your personas and what drives their behavior, you can create content that speaks directly to them.

This goes beyond just tweaking your language—it's about creating a connection. Whether you’re crafting blog posts, email campaigns, or social media content, your personas will guide your communication's tone, style, and focus.

For example, if your personas include tech-savvy early adopters, you might focus on creating content that highlights your offering's innovative features and uses technical jargon they understand. Meanwhile, if another persona represents parents with young children, your messaging would focus more on safety, convenience, and time-saving features.

Personas also help with social media strategy. By knowing which platforms your personas spend their time on, you can ensure that the right people see your posts. You might find that one persona is more active on Instagram, while another prefers LinkedIn. This allows you to allocate your resources effectively and boost engagement.

5. Improving product development

When you truly understand your customers, you can develop better products and services that meet their needs. Buyer personas are essential in this process. Knowing what features your personas value most, you can prioritize those elements in your product development.

For example, your audience research shows that one of your personas is concerned about environmental impact. You can use this insight to guide your product development decisions, ensuring sustainability is a core focus. On the other hand, if another persona values cutting-edge technology, you can prioritize features that showcase your brand's innovation.

Having buyer personas on hand during the product development phase means you’re less likely to create something that misses the mark. You’ll also better understand how to position and market your product, making the launch smoother and more successful.

6. Mapping the customer buying journey

Every customer goes through a buying journey , from initial awareness to purchasing. By mapping this journey for each buyer's persona, you can identify key touchpoints where you can influence their decisions.

For example, one persona might spend much time researching online before deciding. You’d want to ensure your website is packed with informative content that helps them in their research. Another persona might rely heavily on peer recommendations, so you’d focus on building a strong presence on review sites and encouraging word-of-mouth marketing.

When you understand how your personas move through the buying journey, you can create strategies that guide them from awareness to purchasing more effectively. This also helps you identify any barriers preventing prospective customers from moving forward, allowing you to address those issues head-on.

7. Measuring success and refining personas

Buyer personas are not static—they evolve as your business and market change. That’s why continually revisiting and refining your personas over time is essential. Regularly conduct market research and gather customer feedback to ensure your personas are still accurate and relevant.

Additionally, measure the success of your persona-driven strategies. Look at key metrics like conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and sales performance to see if your personas are helping you achieve your goals. If something isn’t working, adjust your personas or your approach accordingly.

Case study: Increasing digital acquisition through buyer personas and behavioral economics

A fintech banking app approached Simon-Kucher to improve its pricing and marketing strategies to drive growth and increase customer lifetime value (CLTV). Despite having a tiered pricing structure, our client sought new value-creation opportunities, including exploring the feasibility of a freemium option to boost organic growth. Additionally, they wanted to redesign their digital platform and customer journey to capture and retain more consumers.

Simon-Kucher's approach began with in-depth quantitative and qualitative surveys targeting current and prospective customers. This revealed that many users were unaware of the differences between product tiers, meaning they weren't fully utilizing the features they were paying for. To address this, our team developed solutions to increase product engagement, encouraging customers to maximize usage and, in turn, grow value.

Benchmarking against other businesses showed that adding extra features to paid packages was more effective at driving acquisition than offering a freemium option. Furthermore, introducing discounted multi-member plans proved a successful strategy for increasing household utilization and overall growth.

To refine our client’s marketing strategies, we conducted primary research to gather insights on demographics, psychographics, willingness to pay, and customer behavior. This data created actionable digital buyer personas, allowing personalized marketing and a tailored digital experience. Our team also produced a transformation roadmap to drive new growth and retention.

As a result of these efforts, our client is expected to achieve a 29% revenue growth and a 15% increase in new customer acquisition by optimizing their products and targeting specific buying personas with customized strategies.

The power of buyer personas in building your business

Creating buyer personas is a powerful strategy that can transform your business from the inside out. By understanding your target audience more deeply, you can create content, develop products, and craft marketing strategies that truly resonate with the people who matter most—your customers.

From informing your sales team to driving your social media efforts, buyer personas are the foundation for success across all business areas. So, take the time to get them right. 

Remember, your prospective customers are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. They have hopes, fears, and preferences to guide their purchasing decisions. By investing in buyer personas, you’re investing in a more personalized, practical approach to reaching those customers. And in today’s crowded marketplace, that’s an investment worth making.

How we can help

At Simon-Kucher, we specialize in helping businesses unlock the full potential of buyer personas to drive growth and success. Our expert team works closely with you to create buyer personas based on in-depth market research and data-driven insights , ensuring you clearly understand your target audience and their unique pain points. 

With our guidance, you can tailor your product development, marketing strategies, and sales approaches to connect meaningfully with your prospective customers. Let us help you leverage buyer personas to refine your strategy, boost engagement, and maximize revenue. Contact us .

Our experts are always happy to discuss your issue. Reach out, and we’ll connect you with a member of our team.

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