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While divorce can be a challenging and emotional journey, it also provides an opportunity for personal growth and the chance to pursue passions you had to forgo due to an unhealthy relationship. So, if you have a solo travel plan or fancy learning a new skill, this is the time to do it.
In this post, we have combined a list of quotes about divorce to help you find the motivation to move forward and approach life with zeal.
In This Article
200+ Quotes About Divorce And Moving On
Are you still in a dilemma about the annulment of your marriage? Read these quotes and find some answers to the questions making you doubt yourself
Empowering Divorce Quotes
- “Divorce is the freedom to become yourself once again.”
- “Always remember that you are strong and capable enough to rebuild your life after a divorce.”
- “Allow your divorce to empower you to be the woman you couldn’t be in your marriage.”
- “Divorce does not lead to failure; it is just the beginning of a new chapter in your life.”
- “Divorce is a declaration of independence with only two signers.” – Gerald F. Lieberman
- “Surviving divorce does not mean that you are weak—rather it makes you strong as an independent and inspirational person.”
- “Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” – Toni Morrison
- “I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me.” – Erica Jong
- “Don’t spend time beating a wall, hoping it will transform into a door.” – Coco Chanel
- “You might not be able to control all the events that happen to you, but you can choose to not be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou
- “Letting go doesn’t mean that you don’t care about someone anymore. It’s just realizing that the person you really have control over is yourself.” – Deborah Reber
- “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.” – Michelle Obama
- “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” – Nora Ephron
- “Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
- “Never feel lonely and afraid of starting it once again. Remember that it is a way of rebuilding your life just the way you wanted to be.”
- “Getting a divorce doesn’t mean that you have a failed marriage, it means that you have tried your best.”
- “Don’t have regrets. You can learn something from every experience.” – Ellen Degeneres
- “Tough times never last but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller
- “When a relationship is over, let it go. Do not waste time watering a dead plant.”
- “Moving on is a process where one lets things happen. On the other hand, moving forward is a choice in making things happen.”
- “Divorce is a dross-road, choose your path to self-recovery and self-discovery carefully.”
- “You will know you made the right decision; you feel the stress leaving your body, your mind, and your life.” – Brigette Nicole
- “Being single with a peaceful mind is much better than being in a relationship where you feel single without any peace of mind.”
- “Divorce is just a part of your life. It doesn’t define who you are. You decide that.” – Karen Finn
- “Controlling the emotions of others is not in your hands, but you can control how you react to them. Be strong and confident.”
- “Here’s a difference between giving up and knowing when you’ve had enough.”
- “Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Always have trust in yourself to know when it is time to move on and start with something new.”
- “In the aftermath of divorce, you are the constructor of your own happiness and freedom.”
- “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.” – Brené Brown
- “It is never too late to become what you might have been.” – George Eliot
- “Drink from the well of yourself and begin again.” – Charles Bukowski
- “We don’t have the power to change the facts of divorce, but divorce definitely gives us the power to change ourselves.” – Karen Finn
- “Experiencing a great change, like divorce, has the power to change us greatly, thanks to the pain, heartache, and loneliness.”
- “If you aren’t comfortable with a decision, the chances are that it’s not the right one. If you can change it, do it!” – Rossana Condoleo
- “When you let go of the wrong person, the right one comes along. Remember this during your divorce.”
- “Divorce is not a reflection of one’s faults, but an opportunity to redefine your life one more.”
- “Remember that you are not alone after divorce; a new life with new opportunities and possibilities awaits you.”
- “Divorce is like a bridge between who you were in the past and who you are turning to in the future.”
- “Anything you can’t control is teaching you how to let go.” – Jackson Kiddard
- “The fact that he walked away doesn’t mean that you are unworthy of love. You are our pride and joy, so keep your head up!”
- “A horrible end is better than endless horror.” – Oliver Markus
- “Those who get married for the wrong reasons often get divorced for the right ones.” – Omar Cherif
- “Starting a new chapter after divorce is not a bad thing. Remember that you are the author of your life’s sequel.”
- “Every woman that finally figured out her worth, has picked up her suitcases of pride and boarded a flight to freedom, which landed in the valley of change.” – Shannon L. Alder
- “If you are into a relationship that is dragging you down, it is time to start a fresh one.”
- “It is always the right decision to cut ties with someone who is toxic and move on with a new zest.”
- “Divorce can be the best way of finding your true self and becoming the person you always wanted to be.”
- “Divorce is not a setback, it’s an opportunity to rebuild, grow, and flourish.”
- “Deciding to leave after trying so hard to fix things shows true bravery.”
- “Remember that you deserve to be happy, even if you are walking alone.”
- “Don’t be afraid of losing someone who doesn’t feel lucky to have you.”
- “Lies don’t end relationships, the truth does.” – Shannon L. Alder
- “The best and silent revenge is to live well after a divorce.”
- “Divorce is like a guiding star that teaches you to find your own happiness amidst difficulties.”
- “Owning your own story and loving yourself through the process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” – Brene Brown
- “It’s better to be alone than in bad company.” – George Washington
- “Perhaps sometimes, reminding ourselves that we do have a choice makes it easier to pick the harder one.” – Eva Melusine Thieme
- “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually, the confidence will follow.” — Carrie Fisher
- “If you can love the wrong person, just imagine how much you can love the right person and create your own story.”
- “The end of a marriage is a comma, it’s not a full stop in your life.”
- “Never run back to whatever broke you.”
- “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” – Carol Burnett
- “Throw us an obstacle and we grow stronger.” – Brad Henry
- “Life is not about how hard it can be, it’s about how to accept it and still move on.”
- “There is no sense in punishing your future for the mistakes of your past. Forgive yourself, grow from it, and then let it go.” – Melanie Koulouris
Divorce Quotes To Help You Heal
- “Do not look for healing at the feet of those who broke you.” – Rupi Kaur
- “A divorce is like an amputation: you survive it, but there’s less of you.” – Margaret Atwood
- “Sometimes all you need to do after a broken marriage is to let it go instead of fixing it.”
- “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” – Lena Horne
- “I used to hope that you’d bring me flowers. Now I plant my own.” – Rachel Wolchin
- “Divorce is not the end of the world. It’s worse to stay in an unhealthy marriage. That’s a worse example for the children.” – Jerry Hall
- “Everything is going to be alright. Maybe not today but eventually.”
- “Even the darkest nights come to an end, and the Sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo
- “Sometimes divorce is better than marriage.” – Sumner Redstone
- “Divorce shreds the muscles of our hearts so that they will hardly beat without a struggle.” – E. Lockhart
- “Heartbreak is a loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.” – Taylor Jenkins Reid
- “Remember that happiness comes from your own self, not from a marriage.”
- “The happiest time of anyone’s life is just after the first divorce.” – John Kenneth Galbraith
- “Divorce is a time of change. It really rocks the foundation of most people’s lives. When we have our heart broken or our dreams taken away from us, it is a time of growth and change.” – Debbie Ford
- “Divorce is hardest at the beginning, most chaotic in the middle and best at the end.”
- “When I got divorced, I went through the various stages of grieving – anger, denial, and dancing around my settlement cheque.” – Maura Kennedy
- “Today expect something good to happen to you no matter what occurred yesterday. Realize the past no longer holds you captive. It can only continue to hurt you if you hold on to it. Let the past go. A simply abundant world awaits.” – Sarah Ben Breathnach
- “Sometimes it is better to let go and trust on your own.”
- “Fair is the four letter F word of divorce.” – Kate Van Dyka
- “Divorce may put a full stop to your marriage, but remember it’s not the end of your life.”
- “Divorce is like a cocoon from which new life emerges and prospers into a beautiful individual.”
- “My parents’ divorce was very difficult. Divorce is incredibly painful, but it’s also an essential part of life.” – Abi Morgan
- “I used to think that divorce meant failure, but now I see it more as a step along the path of self-realization and growth.” – Alana Stewart
- “There is a reason why fairy tales are part of fiction – the phrase ‘happily ever after’ is not for every couple.”
- “After a divorce, your heart might be broken. But remember, a broken heart can be fixed only by time and patience.”
- “It’s never too late to let go of what causes pain to your heart and soul.”
- “You never have to suffer due to, or be denatured by, another person, even someone you love.” – Rossana Condoleo
- “Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make peace with that and all will be well.” – Buddha
- “Despite the pain, if minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, you keep going, you will get through your divorce.” – Karen Finn
- “Do you see your divorce as a set-back or a do-over? It took time and effort, but I now see mine as a do-over.” – Karen Finn
- “Sometimes the only option of saving yourself is to let off the person who is responsible for your drowning.”
- “Sometimes it is better to accept the fact that some people enter your life to give you temporary happiness.”
- “I don’t miss him, I miss who I thought he was.”
- “A man that knows your sadness and sleeps.. Doesn’t deserve your love at all..”
- “I do not consider divorce an evil by any means. It is just as much a refuge for women married to brutal men as Canada was to the slaves of brutal masters.” – Susan B. Anthony
- “Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.” – Robert Brault
- “Recovery begins from the darkest moment.” – John Major
- “Letting go doesn’t mean erasing memories, it simply means that you are ready for a change and welcoming the new one.”
- “Divorce isn’t a tragedy; it’s a chance of putting back those broken pieces together and beginning something new.”
- “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.”
- “Nothing separates a woman or a family from God’s love. Not death, and certainly not divorce.” – Glennon Doyle Melton
- “Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost.” – Robert H. Schuller
- “Nothing’s a coincidence. Everything you’re experiencing is meant to happen exactly how it’s happening. Embrace the lessons. Be grateful.”
- “With divorce.. you’re not dead – you’re dormant.” – Cheryl Nielsen
- “Holding on is believing that there’s only a past; letting go is knowing that there’s future.” – Daphne Rose Kingma
- “If you spend your time hoping someone will suffer the consequences of what they did to your heart, then you’re allowing them to hurt you a second time in your mind.” – Shannon L. Alder
- “In the ashes of a divorce, the phoenix of strength in you rises.”
- “Only by acceptance of the past will you alter its meaning.” – T. S. Eliot
- “The most beautiful people I’ve known are those who have known trials, have known struggles, have known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
- “When we truly care for ourselves, it becomes possible to care about other people. The more alert and sensitive we are to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can be towards others.” — Eda LeShan
- “For a lot of people, divorce is an incredibly healthy move to make in their life.” – Adam Scott
- “Divorce is never a pleasant experience. You look upon it as a failure. But I learned to be a different person once we broke up. Sometimes you learn more from failure than you do from success.” – Michael Crawford
- “I decided after my last divorce to marry myself.” – Nell Carter
- “After my divorce, painting took me out of panic mode and into a serene, calm place. I could absolutely lose myself.” – Jane Seymour
- “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” – William James
- “Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” – Joseph Campbell
- “If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.” – Carlos Santana
- “Going through a divorce is a pain. But you heal.”
- “Remarriage could be a light after you pass the divorce.”
Divorce Quotes To Help You Move Forward
- “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Divorce isn’t such a tragedy. A tragedy’s staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love. Nobody ever died of divorce.” – Jennifer Weiner
- “You can’t lose someone you never had and regret it.”
- “For a lot of people, divorce is an incredibly healthy move to make in your life.” – Adam Scott
- “Divorces are made in heaven.” – Oscar Wilde
- “Divorce is always terrible, but I haven’t met anyone who went through it and isn’t happier now.” – Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- “Well, after the divorce, I went home and turned all the lights on!” – Larry David
- “To live, to err, to triumph, to re-create life out of life!” – James Joyce
- “Half of all marriages end in divorces – and then there are the really unhappy ones.” – Joan Rivers
- “When people divorce, it’s always such a tragedy. At the same time, if people stay together it can be even worse.” – Monica Bellucci
- “Every ending gives way to a new beginning. Divorce is no exception to that.”
- “Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.” – Robert H. Schuller
- “All endings are also beginnings. We are just not aware of it at the time.” – Mitch Albom
- “When two people decide to get a divorce, it isn’t a sign that they don’t understand one another, but a sign that they have, at last, begun to.” – Helen Rowland
- “Divorce is a fire exit. When a house is burning, it doesn’t matter who set the fire. If there is no fire exit, everyone in the house will be burned!” – Mehmet Murat ildan
- “Love is grand; divorce is a hundred grand.” – Shinichi Suzuki
- “Nice people don’t necessarily fall in love with nice people.” – Jonathan Franzen
- “We ruined each other by being together. We destroyed each other’s dreams.” – Kate Chisman
- “You know why divorces are so expensive? Because they’re worth it.” – Henny Youngman
- “We cannot change the past, but we can start a new chapter with a happy ending.” – Nishan Panwar
- “If one door closes, remember that another one opens for you. Learn to embrace life after a divorce.”
- “Close some doors. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they no longer lead somewhere.”
- “Divorce isn’t always the best answer. And sometimes it’s the only answer.” – Karen Finn
- “The only standing peace between a man and his wife is, doubtless, a separation.” – Lord Chesterfield
- “I never even believed in divorce until after I got married.” – Diane Ford
- “I think you will find that with divorce will come happier remarriages.” – Helen Fisher
- “People say, ‘Oh, God, how devastating to go through a divorce.’ Did I wish for this to happen to my family? No. But everyone is healthy; we’re moving on with our lives.” – Idi Klum
- “The good thing about getting divorced young – if there is a good thing – is that it makes you realize there’s no schedule in life. It blasts you wide open and frees you to be honest with yourself.” – Olivia Wilde
- “Lost you. Found myself.”
- “It is better to be alone and happy rather than feeling confined in an unhappy marriage.”
- “A failed marriage cannot judge your personality, but by what you can create out of it.”
- “I lived a really wonderful life with this man and even after our divorce, it was incredible.” – Priscilla Presley
- “Divorce: a resumption of diplomatic relations and rectification of boundaries.” – Ambrose Bierce
- “We all have two lives. The second one starts when we realize we only have one.” – Tom Hiddleston
- “You can’t start a new chapter if you keep on reading the last one. Learn to accept a new chapter of your life after divorce.”
- “Life should move on after divorce. It is up to you to make it worth living.”
- “At the end of your marriage, your job, at least in part, is to let go and move away from the wreckage to create something better.” – Karen Finn
- “If you’re still looking for a happy ending, I suggest you start searching for a new beginning.”
- “You don’t always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go, and see what happens.” – Mandy Hale
- “Being single and having peace of mind is much better than being in a relationship where you feel single and have no peace of mind.”
- “Divorce sets off a tidal wave of changes – physical, mental, emotional, social, and existential.” – Karen Finn
- “It’s true that a divorce is painful. But it also makes it easier to learn and grow from your past mistakes.”
- “You never really know a man until you have divorced him.” – Zsa Zsa Gabor
- “Just because your marriage did not work, do not think of yourself as a loser. Remember, you are a survivor.”
- “One great thing about getting a divorce is that you can throw away your ugly side and start with the beautiful you.”
- “I got divorced recently. It was a mixed marriage. I’m human, he’s Klingon.” – Carol Leifer
- “I’m not upset about my divorce.” – Roseanne Barr
- “Divorce is what you are, not who you are.”- Karen Covy
- “Success is its own reward, but failure is a great teacher too, and not to be feared.”- Sonia Sotomayor
- “He taught me housekeeping; when I divorce I keep the house.” – Zsa Zsa Gabor
- “Just because a relationship ends, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth having.” – Sarah Mlynowski
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- “Some people think that it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s letting go.”
- “Since life is full of second chances, divorce can be a way of finding true love and happiness for the second time.”
- “Divorce is not a scar, it is a game of your tolerance and resilience.”
- “Nowadays love is a matter of chance, matrimony of money, and divorce a matter of course.” – Helen Rowland
- “I try not to think of divorce as failing at marriage, but rather winning at bitterness and resentment.”
- “There are four stages in a marriage: First there’s the affair, then the marriage, then children and finally the fourth stage, without which you cannot know a woman, the divorce.” – Norman Mailer
- “She cried and the judge wiped her tears with my checkbook.” – Tommy Manville
- “You cannot force someone to change or fill your life with love; the only option is to let go.”
- “Divorce is a chance of putting back those broken pieces together and beginning something new.”
- “Just because your past did not work out the way you wanted to be, it doesn’t mean that you won’t have a bright future.”
- “There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.” – Bernard Williams
- “Don’t ruin a good day by thinking of a bad yesterday.”
- “I don’t see divorce as a failure. I see it as an end to a story. In a story, everything has an end and a beginning.” – Olga Kurylenko
- “For some reason, we see divorce as a signal of failure, despite the fact that each of us has a right, and an obligation, to rectify any other mistake we make in life.” – Joyce Brothers
- “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” – Marilyn Monroe
- “Sometimes the hardest part isn’t letting go but rather learning to start over.” – Nicole Sobon
- “Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James
- “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Frankl
- “You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” – Rabindranath Tagore
- “Starting today, I need to forget what’s gone, appreciate what remains, and look forward.”
- “It always gets worse before it can get better. But it will get better. Like everything else, and like our past struggles, at some point we win, but before that win, there’s always that loss that spurs us on.” – Dolores Huerta
- “Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” – Denis Waitley
- “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
- “Holding on is believing in your past, letting it go is believing that you have a bright future ahead.”
- “At some point, you have to realize that some people are not worth remaining in your life.”
- “One of the hardest lessons in life is letting go. Whether it’s guilt, anger, love, loss, or betrayal. Change is never easy. We fight to hold on and we fight to let go.” – Mareez Reyes
- “Divorce is played by lawyers. But in a divorce of unhappy marriage, the winners are husband and wife.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is divorce a sad thing?
Divorce is a complex decision that can evoke various emotions, including hurt, sadness, guilt, anger, regret, and loss. However, you may also be happy for breaking off from the life you did not want but still be sad about the changes in your status quo. This is normal. Ayesha Mattu, a mother in her twenties, states that while her divorce wasn’t necessarily sad, it has made her stronger. She says, “Divorce tells me not to give up – and I don’t. I yet dream of love, plot for the future with all the ferocity of ambition, search and find beauty in all that has happened in my life (i).”
2. Does divorce lead to happiness?
It cannot be said that divorce leads to happiness, as it depends on the kind of relationship you are in. If you were unhappy with your marriage, divorce could give you a chance to revive to move on. However, if you are still grieving and unable to come out, divorce couldn’t make you happier.
3. When is divorce the best option?
There can be many reasons for divorce, but it is the best option when there is abuse or neglect in a relationship as continuing with it can lead to further grief and despair. When there is no love, lack of healthy communication, infidelity, or absence of intimacy, it is better to end the marriage. Joyce L. Blalock, a mother of two, reflects on her feelings before and after her divorce. She says, “The old me didn’t know and value myself or my worth as a woman. I was punishing myself for my past wrongs and mistakes, by staying with a lying, manipulative, emotionally abusive man. The new me has forgiven myself for my mistakes, learned from them, and knows that I am worthy of real love, and I refuse to settle for less anymore (ii).”
4. How can quotes help someone going through a divorce?
Divorce quotes convey the feelings and experiences of others on the topic, reminding you that you are not alone. They also offer hope, encouragement, and wisdom to help you navigate the emotional challenges during and after divorce.
Divorce can be an unfortunate phase in your life. It might stir up a plethora of unpleasant emotions. However, remember that the end of a relationship does not mean the end of your life. You have a life ahead that needs to be lived well. Mourning and resentment will only increase your displeasure and bitterness, so forgiveness is important. Read these divorce quotes and get inspired to move toward a brighter future. You may also explore some deep poetry about divorce. Think of this phase as a new opportunity that will allow you to experience more success and greater contentment.
Infographic: What Celebrities Say About Their Divorce?
While some couples can go through a divorce with strength and calm, others may experience immense hurt and anxiety. In this infographic, we share some celebrity quotes about their divorce. Scroll through it to learn different coping strategies for this unfortunate life event. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team 
Key Pointers
- Divorce quotes and sayings provide you with strength during tumultuous times.
- They remind you that every ending marks a fresh beginning with endless possibilities.
- These quotes may alleviate guilt and make you realize that you deserve better.
- They motivate you to move on after divorce by accepting the past while directing your focus toward the future.
Illustration: Inspiring Divorce Quotes That Will Help You Move On
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Feeling overwhelmed by divorce? Check out this video for 20 inspiring quotes to help you move on. Embrace inspiration as you embark on a fresh chapter, letting go and embracing new beginnings.
Personal Experience: Sources
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Divorced ramblings.https://loveinshallah.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/divorced-ramblings/
ii. The “pathetic ex husband chronicles”.
https://jlsapphire.wordpress.com/tag/divorced/
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Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena is a board licensed therapist in the USA and Puerto Rico with a specialty in couples, families, and relationships. Dr. Carlos possesses a PhD in Counseling Psychology granted at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.
Read full bio of Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena
Read full bio of Dr. Carlos Juan Carmona-Goyena
Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.
Read full bio of Shikha Thakur
Read full bio of Shikha Thakur
Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.
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Read full bio of Siddharth Kesiraju
