31 Quotes That’ll Get You Over Any Break Up

If heartbreak was an Olympic event, some of us would have gold medals and a closet full of tear-soaked tracksuits. Picking up the shattered bits of your ego and dignity post-breakup isn’t just hard—it’s a special brand of agony.

But before you start writing your ex’s name on bananas or scrolling through their holiday photos like you’re auditioning for a detective series, pause.

There’s a cure that’s cheaper than retail therapy and less sticky than ice cream: the right words at the right time.

Let’s get down to it: 31 quotes to patch up your heart, boost your spirit, and maybe, just maybe, help you laugh at the mess called moving on.

1. Sometimes Goodbyes Are the Best Hellos

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
— C.S. Lewis

It’s almost poetic: the door swings shut, but through the window comes the breeze of fresh possibilities. C.S. Lewis wasn’t talking about your ex specifically, but go on—pretend he was.

2. Your Value Remains Unchanged

“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
— Mark Twain

Old Mark didn’t mince words, and neither should you. You belong on the A-list, not the backup bench.

3. Celebrate Your Survival

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.”
— Pablo Neruda

Translation: heartbreak isn’t permanent. Spring, like your next great crush, will show up sooner than you think.

4. Healing Takes Its Own Sweet Time

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

If Dr. Seuss says it, you know it must be true. May as well channel that childhood wisdom—preferably with a green eggs and ham brunch.

5. You’re Allowed to Outgrow People

“Some people come into your life as blessings, others as lessons.”
— Mother Teresa

Sure, Mother Teresa probably didn’t have ghosting in mind, but the point stands. Not all departures are tragedies.

6. There’s a Reason for Every Exit

“Sometimes the wrong choices bring us to the right places.”
— Unknown

Was your ex a wrong turn on the map of life? Possibly. But look at all the scenery you’re about to enjoy now.

7. Time, the MVP of Healing

“Time heals almost everything. Give time time.”
— Regina Brett

No Amazon Prime for heartbreak. Let the clock do its slow, annoying magic.

8. You Are Enough—No, Really

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”
— Maya Angelou

Repeat it until you believe it. Or tattoo it on your forearm. Your call.

9. Growth Comes From the Hard Stuff

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

Pain isn’t pointless. It’s potential. Think of it as emotional compost—something beautiful will grow.

10. No One Gets Out Unscathed

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
— Winston Churchill

Breakups, much like British winters, are best handled with stubbornness and a good raincoat.

11. Let Yourself Grieve

“To weep is to make less the depth of grief.”
— William Shakespeare

A bit of ugly crying never hurt anyone. Shakespeare gets it. Just maybe avoid doing it at work.

12. You Get to Rewrite the Story

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
— Seneca (or the band Semisonic, depending on your age)

Change stings, but without it, nothing new gets to start. Might as well make it your own story now.

13. Don’t Settle for Half-Hearted Love

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

Wilde was extra before extra was cool. If your last partner didn’t get the memo, you’re better off.

14. Growth Looks Good on You

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

Your heartbreak is not your headline. The main story is your comeback.

15. You’re Nobody’s Rejection

“Someone’s rejection is God’s protection.”
— Unknown

Sometimes the universe does you a favor by removing what you can’t.

16. Self-Love Is Non-Negotiable

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
— Buddha

If the Buddha says it, go ahead and book that spa day. Or just binge-watch your favorite series guilt-free.

17. No Regret Policy

“Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today, and you make your tomorrow.”
— L. Ron Hubbard

No need to carry old baggage. Unless it’s designer. Then maybe just for the airport Instagram.

18. Keep Perspective on Pain

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
— Haruki Murakami

Heartbreak hurts, but wallowing? That’s a choice. Swap misery for a new playlist and go for a walk.

19. You’re Stronger Than You Look

“She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”
— Elizabeth Edwards

Flex those metaphorical muscles. Hair-toss optional.

20. Forward Is the Only Direction

“The best way to get over a man is to get under another one.”
— Mae West

Can’t say Mae was subtle, but hey, sometimes distraction is medicine. Or at least a good story for brunch.

21. It’s Not Linear

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot.”
— Jamie Anderson

Healing isn’t a perfectly smooth road. Expect pit stops and potholes. Pack snacks.

22. Laugh at the Madness

“If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.”
— Les Giblin

Smile. Even if it’s just to scare your ex when they see you thriving.

23. Friendship Survives All

“Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.”
— Jane Austen

Turn to the ones who don’t judge your late-night texts or your taste in questionable rebound haircuts.

24. Fall in Love With Yourself

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
— Rumi

The most important romance? The one you have with your own weird, wonderful self.

25. The Past Belongs in the Past

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

Unless you’re reversing out of a parking spot, keep your eyes forward.

26. Big Picture Thinking

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
— Marilyn Monroe

Was Marilyn the original breakup influencer? She might’ve been.

27. No Need to Chase What’s Gone

“Don’t chase people. Be yourself, do your own thing and work hard.”
— Will Smith

If they wanted to stay, they would have. Your job’s just to be you (preferably the version not wearing their old sweatshirt).

28. Breakups Aren’t Failures

“Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”
— Truman Capote

Sometimes things go sideways. Doesn’t mean you’re not destined for something tastier next.

29. Trust the Process

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
— Jack Canfield

That thing you’re terrified of—being alone, starting over, learning to cook for one—it’s not as scary as you think.

30. Your Heart Is Resilient

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.”
— Jean de La Bruyère

Today’s meltdown might be tomorrow’s miracle. Or at least a decent anecdote.

31. The Best Is Yet to Come

“Sometimes you have to forget what’s gone, appreciate what remains, and look forward to what’s coming next.”
— Unknown

Yes, it’s a cliché. No, that doesn’t make it any less true. Better days are already on their way, probably stuck in traffic.

Better Than Revenge: Thriving Post-Breakup

Breakups come with playlists, pints of ice cream, and, if you’re lucky, the sharp wisdom of those who’ve been there and lived to tell the tale.

Whether you’re in the crying-on-the-bathroom-floor phase or the “I didn’t even like their dog” stage, let these quotes be your scaffolding. Build something solid. Grow something new.

Love will find you again—usually just when you’re thinking about anything else. Until then, keep quoting, keep laughing, and keep moving forward.

Heartbreak’s not forever, but your comeback story just might be.