Some people have a knack for delivering amazing advice. Their words tend to inspire, empower, uplift and motivate. As the following Reese Witherspoon quotes we love manage to prove, this Hollywood powerhouse is 100 percent one of those people. Whether she’s talking about the magic of women supporting women or the wilderness that is motherhood, Witherspoon is a touchstone — her words tend to remind us that no matter what roles we play in life, we aren’t standing on the stage alone.
Maybe being steeped in the wisdom of storied Southern women as a child helped Witherspoon develop her keen sense of insight. Or, maybe the trial by fire of becoming an actor at a young age forged her strong sense of self. Likely, it was both of these things (and more) that shaped her perspective. But whatever made her the truth-teller she is today, well, we’re grateful. She somehow always lights on the things we need to hear.
So, in that spirit, we compiled a list of Reese Witherspoon quotes that help us get through the day as a way to celebrate her birthday on March 22.
1. “I encourage women to step up. Don’t wait for somebody to ask you.”
Witherspoon may be diminutive, but that has never stopped her from using her voice to remind women we have big things to contribute. It’s not surprising that her spin on the infamous saying “seize the day” would be a nudge for all of us to be bolder and more assertive in making our destinies.
2. “Spend less time tearing yourself apart, worrying if you’re good enough. You are good enough. And you’re going to meet amazing people in your life who will help you and love you.”
Whoever you are, wherever you are, you probably needed to hear this today (we did, too). If we’re really being honest, we could stand to hear it every single day. Women are notoriously hard on themselves, so it would need to be reminded that we are enough. And even when we’re convinced we aren’t, there are people who love us just as we are anyway.
3. “I’ve realized that life is too short to spend my time with anybody who doesn’t appreciate me, treat me with respect or bring value to the relationship.”
Where is the praise hands emoji when you need it, right? Many of us are at the point in our lives where we’ve truly started to internalize and actualize these words but, man, we wish we would have mastered this notion a little earlier in life.
4. “The idea that we are our own saviors, our own heroes. That’s hard, but also incredibly uplifting.”
Just because it doesn’t sound like the fairytale we’ve been fed all of our lives doesn’t mean it isn’t right. Witherspoon hits the nail on the head here — it’s considerably more challenging to be your own hero, but it’s also considerably more rewarding.
5. “I do believe that if you want to change the world, you have to be responsible for it.”
There simply isn’t any other way. The more people come around to Witherspoon’s way of thinking on this, the better off the world will be.
6. “All we can do to create change is work hard. That’s my advice: Just do what you do well.”
Witherspoon’s wise words here are perfect for anyone who finds themselves unsure of whether or not the work they’re doing is worthy or will even matter. These words remind us to push all negativity outside of our minds and focus on what’s important: doing our best each and every day.
7. “Run away from a man who can’t handle your ambition. Run. So many men think ambition is awesome and sexy!”
Listen to Witherspoon and lace up those running shoes! Let’s say it one more time for the women in the back: There are men who find ambition sexy. The men who don’t aren’t worthy of a woman with ambition anyway.
8. “I don’t know what I would have done so many times in my life if I hadn’t had my girlfriends.”
Find your tribe. Love them hard. It shouldn’t take a reminder from Witherspoon for us to do this, and yet we needed this push. Why? Women notoriously put themselves on the bottom of the priorities list. You deserve your own time, and one of the most healing and empowering things you can do for yourself is to spend time in the company of other women who love and support you.
9. “I don’t believe in perfection. I don’t think there is such a thing. But the energy of wanting things to be great is perfectionist energy.”
The sooner we all let this really sink in, the better off we’ll be: Perfection does not exist. We are all flawed. But that doesn’t mean we can’t strive for greatness.
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