Uplifting quotes
Find the words you need today
Uplifting quotes for women are short, encouraging words that inspire confidence, self-kindness, hope and personal growth. Below you’ll find 40 of our favorites, each checked against its original source, grouped into eight collections.
Some days you don’t need a whole article. You need one sentence that reminds you who you are and what you’re capable of, whether you’re starting your morning, getting through a hard afternoon or looking for a reason to keep going.
We’ve gathered our favorite uplifting quotes into eight collections, so you can find the kind of encouragement that fits the moment you’re in. Start with the 40 hand-picked quotes below, or jump straight to a topic.
40 favorites
Our favorite uplifting quotes for women
We’ve chosen five quotes from each of our collections. Every quote below has been checked against its original book, poem, letter or article, so when you share one, you can trust that the words and the name beside them are right.
Inspirational quotes from remarkable women
Inspiration doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes it’s simply proof that another woman kept going, and a quiet reminder that you can, too.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
“Well-behaved women seldom make history.”
Self-love quotes
Self-love isn’t a reward you earn once everything else is done. It’s the kindness you’re allowed to offer yourself right now, in the middle of things.
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation…”
“I exist as I am, that is enough.”
“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
“I would rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe.”
Alcott wrote that last line when choosing her own path took real nerve. It still reads like permission.
Positive quotes for women
Positivity isn’t pretending everything is fine. It’s choosing where to rest your attention, even on the harder days.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
“I dwell in Possibility –”
“Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery.”
Confidence quotes
Confidence rarely shows up before we act. More often, it arrives just after we decide to try.
“My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
“I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness.”
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”
You’ve probably seen the Schmich line credited to Eleanor Roosevelt. It actually comes from a 1997 newspaper column, and it deserves its real author.
Self-worth quotes
Your worth was never up for a vote. These are for the days when it feels like it is.
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”
“Definitions belonged to the definers—not the defined.”
“I do not wish them to have power over men; but over themselves.”
“We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.”
“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.”
Encouraging quotes
For the days when you’re tired, behind, or simply not sure what comes next.
“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”
“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?”
“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think.”
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.”
Personal growth quotes
Growth is rarely a straight line. These are for the in-between seasons, when you’re still becoming.
“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”
“I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy.”
“Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.”
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
“We never know how high we are / Till we are called to rise”
Good morning quotes
A few words to keep beside your coffee before the day starts asking things of you.
“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
“Every day is a fresh beginning, / Every morn is the world made new.”
“Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me.”
“Forever – is composed of Nows –”
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
If one of these stayed with you, write it down somewhere you’ll see it tomorrow: a sticky note on the mirror, the first page of your journal, the lock screen on your phone. And if it might help someone you love, pass it along. Encouragement tends to grow when we share it.
Quote collections
Explore all eight quote collections
Each collection gathers more quotes around one theme, so you can stay with the words that fit your day.
Inspirational quotes for womenWords of encouragement and inspiration for every season of life.Explore quotes →
Self-love quotesReminders to appreciate, accept and care for yourself.Explore quotes →
Positive quotes for womenUplifting words for a more hopeful outlook.Explore quotes →
Confidence quotesEncouragement to believe in yourself and what you’re capable of.Explore quotes →
Self-worth quotesReminders that your value doesn’t depend on someone else’s approval.Explore quotes →
Encouraging quotesWords for the days when you need a little extra motivation.Explore quotes →
Personal growth quotesInspiration for changing, learning and becoming.Explore quotes →
Good morning quotesPositive thoughts for beginning the day with intention.Explore quotes →
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about uplifting quotes
A few answers to questions we hear often about quotes and how to use them.
What are uplifting quotes for women?
Uplifting quotes for women are encouraging, positive words that inspire confidence, self-kindness, hope and personal growth. They can be a gentle reminder of your strength and worth, especially on the days when you need a little extra encouragement.
How can uplifting quotes help you stay positive?
A few kind words at the right moment can shift your whole mindset. Uplifting quotes can interrupt negative self-talk, remind you that others have faced (and come through) similar struggles, and give you one hopeful thought to return to when the day feels heavy.
How can you use inspirational quotes in your daily life?
You might set a favorite quote as your phone wallpaper, write one on a sticky note for your mirror, or open your journal with a quote each morning. You can also tuck one into a card or text it to a friend who could use some encouragement.
What are the most popular types of quotes for women?
Some of the most loved categories are self-love and self-worth quotes, confidence boosters, quotes about strength and new beginnings, and gentle reminders to rest and be kind to yourself. You’ll find each of these in our eight collections above.
Are the quotes on this page accurately attributed?
We check every quote on this page against its original book, poem, letter or article before we publish it. Many popular quotes for women are shared online with the wrong name attached, so when we couldn’t confirm who wrote something, we left it out. If you think we’ve gotten one wrong, we’d love to hear from you through our contact page.
Can I share these quotes on social media?
Yes! We’d love for you to share the encouragement. Feel free to post your favorites on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook for personal, non-commercial use, and please tag or link back to Cute To Myself so others can find more uplifting quotes too.
Where can I find more inspirational quote images?
Our inspirational quote image gallery has shareable quote images, and we add new ones regularly. Following us on Pinterest is another easy way to save your favorites.
Inspiration in pictures
Explore our inspirational quote image gallery
Browse uplifting quote images made to encourage you and brighten your day. You’ll find shareable words about confidence, self-love, positivity, personal growth and more, all together in one easy-to-browse gallery.
Explore the quote image gallery