Growing Up Quotes + Their Meanings/Explanations

Growing up quotes capture the essence of the transformative journey from childhood to adulthood. These quotes encapsulate the various emotions, challenges, and experiences one encounters while navigating through the different stages of life. They serve as reminders of the resilience and strength required to navigate through uncertainties and embrace personal growth.

Growing up quotes inspire individuals to embrace change, face their fears, and embrace the beauty of self-discovery. They encourage us to embrace challenges, learn from our mistakes, and evolve into the best versions of ourselves.

Below are various growing up quotes with their meanings/explanations;

“Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.” – Chili Davis

For some, growing old is mandatory. For others, growing up is optional. But for most people, growing old is a necessary step on the path to maturity. Old age is a time of growth and change. As we age, we learn new things and gain experiences that we could never have had while we were younger. Growing old can be a rewarding experience if you take the time to enjoy it.

“Growth is the only evidence of life.”- John Henry Newman, Apologia pro vita sua, 1864

There are many things that can be considered evidence of life. One could say that growth is a clear indication of life. Without growth, there would be no progression or change. Life is constantly evolving and growing, which is why growth is such a strong indicator of life. Growth is what makes life worth living.

“The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.”- William Blake

The life of an individual who never alters their opinion is a life of stagnation. They are like standing water, breeding reptiles of the mind. This is because they are not allowing themselves to grow and learn, which is what leads to innovation. The only way to progress is to be open to new ideas and be willing to change your beliefs in order to better yourself.

“The man who looks for security, even in the mind, is like a man who would chop off his limbs in order to have artificial ones which will give him no pain or trouble.”- Henry Miller

Many people in today's society live their lives always looking for security. They want to find a way to avoid pain or trouble, which is why they are always searching for something that can make them feel safe and secure. However, this type of mentality is not healthy and it can actually lead to problems. People who are constantly looking for security in their lives are often the ones who end up experiencing the most pain and difficulty.

“The birds are molting. If only man could molt also - his mind once a year its errors, his heart once a year its useless passions.”- James Allen

Molting is a natural process that many animals undergo in order to replace their old skin with a new one. The birds are no exception, and as the weather starts to get warmer, they start to molest. This is a time when they are likely to get sick, so it's important for them to take care of themselves.

“When you are through changing, you are through.”- Bruce Barton

When you are through changing, you are through. The old you is gone and the new you is here. There's no going back and no forgetting what the old you was like. You can't change what's already happened, but you can live in the present and make the most of today.

“Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.” – Ally Condie

The poet writes about two women who grew up together and share a deep connection, but as they grow apart their relationship becomes more complicated. Despite the distance between them, their roots will always be tangled.

“If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”- Mary Engelbreit

If you're unhappy with something in your life, there's no reason to accept it as reality. You can change it. If you can't change it, at least change the way you think about it. If you refuse to accept that anything is wrong, then everything is wrong. Changing your perspective is the first and most important step in changing your life for the better.

“The wheel of change moves on, and those who were down go up and those who were up go down.”- Jawaharlal Nehru

The wheel of change always revolves, and with it comes the ups and downs of life. Those who were previously down often go up, while those who were previously up often go down. This is simply a fact of life that cannot be changed. However, one can control their own destiny by learning from their mistakes and moving on.

“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.”- W. Edwards Deming (Thanks, Michelle)

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory. Individuals who subscribe to this belief tend to be more content and relaxed in the face of adversity. They also have a higher sense of self-worth. Changing one's behavior or lifestyle in order to ensure survival may not be the most effective way to go about things.

“Who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.”- Harold Wilson

The cemetery is a symbol of our society's rejection of progress. It is the only human institution that rejects change, and it is responsible for the decay of our society. Cemeteries are repositories of our society's dead, but they are also symbols of our society's decay. Cemeteries are full of monuments to the past, and they are a reminder that we are not moving forward. The only thing that is growing in cemeteries is the number of graves.

“The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.”- Ellen Glasgow

Ruts are depressions left in the earth by animals as they travel. Grave sites are depressions dug by people, usually for burial. Although there is only one major difference between ruts and graves- their dimensions- there are a lot of other subtle differences that can be seen if you take the time to look. For example, ruts tend to be wider and deeper in areas where the animal is running fast, while graves tend to be narrower and shallower near the surface.

“There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse! As I have often found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it is often a comfort to shift one’s position, and be bruised in a new place.”- Washington Irving

There is an undeniable comfort in change, whether it be from bad to worse or from good to better. Even though one may be uncomfortable at first, the relief of being able to move and experience new things can be incredibly satisfying. This is especially true when traveling in a stagecoach, which offers a multitude of different bumps and bruises as the vehicle careens down the road.

“Must the old joys be evermore withholden? Even their memory keeps me pure and true; And yet, God speaketh, ‘I make all things new.’” – Sarah Doudney, ‘Between the Lights,’ c.1875

The memories of the good old days keep many elderly people happy. However, some believe that these memories should be forgotten in order to remain pure and true. However, God speaks to them and tells them that they need to make all things new.

“Growing up is losing some illusions, in order to acquire others.” –Virginia Woolf

Growing up is a process of losing some illusions and acquiring others. For most people, this means learning that the world is not always fair, that people can be cruel, and that life is not perfect. These insights can be difficult to accept, but they are essential for growing into adulthood.

“Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything.” – Kurt Vonnegut

Maturity is typically a time of great fulfillment, yet for many it is also a time of bitter disappointment. The aging process brings with it an increased sense of responsibility and an increased anticipation of what life may offer. Unfortunately, this often leads to a decreased sense of enjoyment in life. In some cases, the aging process can even lead to a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed.

“Everyone thinks you make mistakes when you’re young. But I don’t think we make any fewer when we’re grown up.” – Jodi Picoult

When you're younger, it seems like everyone makes mistakes. You think you're the only one who screws up occasionally. But as you get older, you realize that's not true. Everyone makes mistakes. In fact, most of us make them more often as we get older. But that doesn't mean we stop trying. We just need to learn from our mistakes and move on.

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis

Fairy tales have always been a favorite of children and adults alike. These stories are often filled with magic, adventure, and mystery. When you are old enough, you will be able to read these stories again and enjoy the adventures that they take you on.

“I put a dollar in one of those change machines. Nothing changed.”- George Carlin

The quote is often used to describe the futility of trying to change something that isn't working. The speaker seems to be resigned to their situation and is not optimistic about their chances of success.

“Life is change.”- Heraclitus of Ephesus

We go through ups and downs, good and bad moments. But the thing is, we can't help but move forward. It's what makes life so interesting. And as we get older, we learn to embrace change more and more. We learn to live in the now, not in the past or the future. Change is something that's always happening around us, whether we want it to or not.

“If you’re in a bad situation, don’t worry, it’ll change. If you’re in a good situation, don’t worry it’ll change.”- John A. Simone, Sr.

If you're worrying about something that's not in your control, stop. There's no point in worrying about things that aren't going to happen. And finally, if your worries are keeping you from enjoying your life, take some time for yourself and do something that makes you happy.

“Stubbornness does have its helpful features. You always know what you are going to be thinking tomorrow.”- Glen Beaman

Stubbornness can sometimes be a good thing. It can help you stay focused and determined. It can also help you to be more responsible and organized.

“People and their rituals. They cling to things so hard sometimes.”- Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain, 2008

People and their rituals can be incredibly hard to break free from. From traditions like going to church every Sunday, to the countless things people do just because they feel like it's tradition, many people cling to things far too tightly. Some of these rituals might even have negative consequences, but for some people, they're all they've got.

“You can avoid having ulcers by adapting to the situation: If you fall in the mud puddle, check your pockets for fish.”- Author Unknown

Many people know the quote, "If you fall in the mud puddle, check your pockets for fish." This is a popular saying that is often used to explain how to avoid getting ulcers. The saying is based on the fact that when you are in a mud puddle, you are likely to find small fish swimming around.

“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.”- Chinese Proverb

Some people cling to what they know, afraid of the unknown. Others embrace change, building structures to harness the wind. Whichever path a person chooses, it's important to remember that both can lead to success.

“Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.”- Robert C. Gallagher

Change is inevitable, and it's something that we all have to deal with at some point in our lives. Whether it's a relationship that ends, a job that's lost, or a new trend that takes over, change is always happening. But what about when change is bad? When it's something we don't want or something that we can't control? For some people, the only kind of change they can handle is when it comes from a vending machine.

“Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations.”- Faith Baldwin

Time alters what we see and experience, both good and bad. It can help us grow older and wiser, or it can hasten our demise. Time is always moving forward, but sometimes we feel as if we're stuck in its clutches.

“All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward.”- Ellen Glasgow

Despite what we might think, change is not always growth. All movement is not forward, and in fact, many stagnant or even regressive movements exist. To make the most of change, we must be mindful of both its potential and its limitations.

“You never have a friend all figured out. Just when you think you know what makes them tick, they tock.”- Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com

You only get to know someone after spending time with them, and sometimes that's all you need in order to understand them. Friendships are built on trust, and if you don't have it, then it's tough to build anything else.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”- Viktor Frankl

As humans, we are constantly looking for ways to change the situations that we find ourselves in. When something is out of our control, however, we are forced to confront and change ourselves. This challenge can be difficult, but it is also necessary in order to maintain our sanity.

“Life is its own journey, presupposes its own change and movement, and one tries to arrest them at one’s eternal peril.”- Laurens van der Post

Life is its own journey and one tries to arrest them at their eternal peril. A life without change and movement would be a life of stagnation and boredom, so it is important to embrace change. Life is never static, it always moves forward. We cannot control everything that happens in our lives, but we can control how we react to it. We must be open to new experiences and learn from them.

“If growing up is the process of creating ideas and dreams about what life should be, then maturity is letting go again.” – Mary Beth Danielson

The idea that growing up is the process of creating ideas and dreams about what life should be is an idealized one. In reality, most people grow up and move on to adulthood without ever living in their childhood fantasies. Maturity is the process of letting go again, of accepting that life will be different than we hoped it would be and that there's no need to hold on to past ideals. Instead, we should focus on the present and make the most of what we have.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”- Anatole France

Every life changes and leaves something behind. Sometimes these changes are welcome, other times they're not. Regardless of how we feel about them, all changes bring with them a sense of melancholy. We must die for one life before we can enter another. This is something that we often forget, but it's a truth that we must face.

“Change may come to you in trinkets and I hope it adorns your life gracefully.”- Dodinsky, www.dodinsky.com

There's something about change that can be a little disorienting. It doesn't always come in big, sweeping movements. Sometimes it comes in the form of small, subtle adjustments that accumulate over time and eventually transform our lives. And while we may not always recognize it at the time, these changes often come with a lot of beauty. 

“Most people don’t grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.” – Maya Angelou

Aging is a natural process that happens to everyone. It's something that we all have to go through at some point in our lives. Some people grow older faster than others, but that doesn't mean that they're any less mature.

“It is a pleasant feeling to be the first to walk on sands which the tide has just left. It is like being the first to visit a new land. It produces a freshness of sensation something akin to that of early morning, or of spring. It is like entering upon a new stage of life, having a new world before us from which to receive, and upon which to make impressions.”- Henry James Slack (1818–1896), The Ministry of the Beautiful, ‘Conversation II: Footsteps on the Sand,’ 1850 [Lyulph speaking -tεᖇᖇ¡·g]

The tide leaves the shorelines of land exposed for a brief moment each morning and evening. The sand is still warm from the sun. When one walks on it, it is like walking on new, untouched land. It feels like a pleasant sensation, something akin to being the first to visit a new land.

“Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them.”- Marcel Proust

People change over time, but the images that they project to the world remain largely unchanged. This is because our memories are formed primarily from the impressions we receive during our formative years, and those impressions are based on our experiences during that time. Even if someone experiences a traumatic event later in life, their memories of that experience will not be as vivid or as permanent as memories from earlier in their lives.

“When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind.” – Patrick Rothfuss

We can't change what has already happened, but we can make choices that will lead us down the path we want to follow. Facing our fears and making tough decisions is what will shape our future.

“What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want.”- Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic’s Notebook, 1960

It's a truth that is often overlooked: What we have now is the price we paid for what we wanted in the past. In order to achieve our goals, sometimes we have to let go of what we once cherished- whether it be a relationship, a job, or our own physical health. But this is often a difficult process, and one that can be painful.

“The circumstances of the world are so variable that an irrevocable purpose or opinion is almost synonymous with a foolish one.”- William H. Seward

In the face of this, most people adopt a flexible attitude, hoping that whatever happens will be for the best. But there are some who cling to their convictions no matter what. They believe that if they have a clear idea of what they want, then anything is possible. This is never more evident than in the field of politics.

“For either or both ways all minds are always, Morning and noon and night, sleeping and waking, Summer and winter, always, always changing…”- James Henry, ‘Love,’ 1855 December 26th

Mindfulness has been shown to improve mental health and well-being. It's a practice of paying attention to the present moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Some people practice mindfulness throughout the day, while others focus on it during certain periods, like when they're sleeping or eating. Despite its popularity, there's still much we don't know about mindfulness.

“Even though you’re growing up, you should never stop having fun.” –Nina Dobrev

Sure, life can get tough from time to time, but that doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying yourself. Throw some parties, go out on dates, and just have a good time. Your life will be more fulfilling that way!

“Growing up happens when you start having things you look back on and wish you could change.” – Cassandra Clare

Growing up is a process that happens when you start having things you look back on and wish you could change. It's hard to change the past, but it's important to remember that growing up is a journey, not a destination. You'll make mistakes, but learning from them will help you grow and become the person you want to be.

“The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” – J.D. Salinger

The immature man sacrifices his own happiness and well-being in the pursuit of a noble cause, while the mature man is content with what he has. The immature man views life as a battle, while the mature man sees it as a journey.

“Growing up happens when you start having things you look back on and wish you could change.” – Cassandra Clare

Growing up is hard. It's full of painful memories, moments when you wish you could go back to when everything was just perfect and all your problems didn't exist. But growing up also happens when you start having things you look back on and wish you could change. These are the memories that make you grateful for all the good ones, that make you realize that life is never really over, and that there's always something new to experience.

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” – Anne Frank

Parents only have good advice or put their children on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. Parents do their best to raise children in the right way and give them the necessary tools and skills so that they can be successful, but ultimately it is up to the child to make good choices and develop into a well-rounded individual.

“Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you’re in diapers; the next day you’re gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.” – The Wonder Years

Childhood is full of innocence, joy, and love. It's a time when you're free to do whatever you want, without worrying about what other people think. Growing up is amazing, but it's also challenging. You have to learn how to survive in the world on your own.

“Man’s yesterday may ne’er be like his morrow; Nought may endure but Mutability.”- Percy Bysshe Shelley, ‘Mutability’

The unpredictability of life is a central theme in literature, and one that has been explored by thinkers for centuries. Whether it be the uncertainty of the future, or the ever-changing nature of our surroundings, humans are constantly confronting change. Some may find this unsettling, while others embrace it as a source of growth. No matter how we feel about it, change is an inherent part of life.

“Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.”- Shunryu Suzuki

The idea that everything changes is difficult to accept for some people. It's hard to face the fact that our lives will never be static, and that we will always be evolving. But it's a truth that is necessary for us to live peacefully and productively. Trying to cling to past moments and ideas is futile and can actually lead to stagnation. If we can accept this fact, we can find great peace and composure in our lives.

“Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.”- John Kenneth Galbraith

Almost everyone gets busy on the proof, convinced they know what is best for themselves and their loved ones. Proof is a powerful tool, but it can also be a trap. This article examines how proof can lead to decisions that are not in our best interests.

“The past is the present, and the present the future, to the non-progressive mind.”- James Lendall Basford (1845–1915), Sparks from the Philosopher’s Stone, 1882

The progressive mind sees the world in terms of progress. The past is the present, and the present is the future for them. This way of looking at things prevents them from seeing any patterns or connections in their lives, an essential part of being able to plan for the future. For progressives, the future is a blank slate that they can write their own story on.

“They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.”- Confucius

The hallmark of wisdom is that it tends to change with time. This is a trait that is often required in order to be happy, as happiness is in accordance with change. However, there are some people who seem to be able to maintain a certain level of happiness or wisdom throughout their lives. These individuals are able to adapt and change with the times, which makes them more comfortable and accepting of new things.

“It is strange and wonderful what changes may be wrought by a few fleeting months, on the human frame, and the human heart.”- Elizabeth J. Eames, ‘An Autumn Reverie,’ October 1840

Life can change in an instant. A few months, or even weeks, can be the difference between a person being happy and content, or struggling with intense sadness and pain. This is especially true for people with mental illness, who often feel like their conditions are immutable and cannot be changed. But sometimes, change is possible- even when it seems impossible.

“You must welcome change as the rule but not as your ruler.”- Denis Waitley

It's easy to get wrapped up in our routines and forget how to be open to new experiences. But when it comes to personal growth, change is always the rule, not the exception. That's why embracing change is essential if you want to stay ahead of your competition.

“There were no violins or warning bells… no sense that my little life was about to change. But we never know, do we? Life turns on a dime.”- Stephen King, 11/22/63, 2011

The quote is often used to describe the sudden change that can happen in life. It is also used as a warning to be ready for anything. The author writes about how this quote applies to her own life and how she never knows what will happen next.

“Every hour proves to us that change and decay are written upon all things earthly. As surely will the proudest monuments of human labor pass away, as the morning mist from among the hills. If we can look upon the past and behold the ravages of time, or on the present and not feel his powerful influence upon ourselves and the things around us, then indeed will our future be dark and cheerless.”- Charles Lanman, ‘Musings,’ 1840

As the sun slowly rises in the sky, it reminds us that change and decay are written upon all things earthly. Even the proudest monuments of human labor will eventually fade away. However, if we can accept this truth, it can give us hope for the future.

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