10 Cliché Phrases That Will Actually Make A Difference In Your Life
These phrases matter.
KOTOIMAGES / Shutterstock By Rebecca Goldansky
There’s a menagerie of old adages that we’ve all grown up hearing throughout our lives.
Our parents have cemented them into our heads since childhood, and our friends use them to soothe us when we’re struggling.
Some of the phrases listed below may appear cheesy or overrated at first glance, but if you dissect them and really invest in them, they’ll come to really resonate with you.
1. “This, too, shall pass.”
Your grandma has undoubtedly embroidered this phrase into your brain with her crocheting needles, but there’s a good reason! Think about it: every trial and tribulation you’ve faced at any given point in time has, in fact, passed.
Suffering is only temporary. There is something healthier, heartier, and happier around the corner. Trust.
2. “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
The aforementioned string of words is so much more than some corny line from a self-help book on the clearance shelf at Barnes and Noble. In fact, it encompasses a fundamental law of life: the Law of Attraction.
Treating people in a gracious, kind manner is essentially exuding appreciation into the universe. This sense of goodness is in turn going to come back to you boomerang style one way or another.
Of course, it is crucial to be considerate of others no matter what the reward, but always remember that you reap what you sow. You’ve gotta put good in to get good out.
3. “Don’t cry over spilled milk.”
But really. Dwelling on things that you cannot control truly will not alter the outcome too much, for the milk has already been spilled. Instead of lamenting about things that you really cannot change, allow mishaps and wrongdoings to strengthen you.
Stop feeling badly for yourself now in order to better yourself now. There will always be more opportunities to perform better, to try harder, and to be nicer. Rather than complaining about yesterday, focus all of your energy on excelling in the future.
4. “It is what it is.”
You know what? It really is what it is, no matter how you slice it. Need I say more?
The only person who can make “it” something is you. You’re the only one in control of your life. So, either change your reality or play the cards you’ve been dealt. Dealer’s choice!
5. “Pretty is as pretty does.”
Sure, it’s dope to look like a million bucks, but it’s how you act that ultimately defines your character. You can be gorgeous enough to stop traffic, but if you’re a terrible, life-ruining Regina George type, sooner or later your world will crumble beneath you.
Strive to be as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside, and you’ll not only attract like-minded people, but you’ll maintain relationships with them as well.
6. “Actions speak louder than words.”
This is absolutely not just some BS explanation for why your boyfriend is being a jerk. It is, in fact, true in the case of all people, whether we’d like to admit it or not.
Words are completely void of meaning unless they’re backed up by corresponding actions.
7. “Trust your instincts.”
If you walk into a room and feel your stomach churn based on the crowd present, chances are it wasn’t the sushi you just gorged on at lunch. Listen to your body and mind; they’re your two most tremendous gauges of what’s right and what’s wrong.
You cannot fight feelings, but you can use them to decipher your next actions. By the same token, if a situation feels comfortable, embrace it! Not all instinctive feelings and/or notions are negative.
8. “Know your worth.”
This is everything. Stop looking at it as a corny phrase to justify your high standards or as part of a Drake verse. Above all else, we must be our own best advocates and realize the full extent of our value as individuals.
Once you recognize how valuable you are, you’ll stop settling entirely, both in the personal and professional realms. Your greatness is infinite; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
9. “Learn from your mistakes.”
Do not just skim over this segment, as you’re surely tempted to do! Please, for all that is holy, actually attempt to learn from your wrongdoings.
We all mess up. That is just the way life is. This way, when we do drop the ball, we can backtrack, recognize exactly where we dropped it, and pick it up again.
Stop doing the same not-so-great things, being filled with regret, and then complaining. Put the kibosh on that right now and do things better next time.
10. “Count your blessings.”
Observe the world around you. Watch the news, keep track of what’s happening near and far, and take at least one microscopic piece of your day to praise just how lucky you are.
No matter where you come from or what you believe in, thank the universe for all it has bestowed upon you. Not only will you feel fulfilled, but you’ll begin to attract more things to be grateful for.
Keep track of all that you’re appreciative of and worship everything you’ve got. Life is good, fam.
Just because it’s the 21st century does not mean that these notoriously old cliché phrases and adages should fall to the wayside. There’s a reason why the above phrases are so popular: because they matter. Use ‘em, embrace ‘em, and love ‘em.
Rebecca Goldansky is a writer and contributor to Unwritten whose work has been featured in Huffington Post, Edible Baja Arizona, and Knockout Magazine. Visit her blog for more of her writing.