It is a universal fact that the new year is a time of reflection on past events, present obligations, and future hopes and plans. Setting resolutions for the new year is an age-old tradition dating back to the ancient Babylonians from over 4,000 years ago, who made promises to their gods that were focused on returning borrowed items and paying debts, with the hopes of being granted a favorable year. The Romans later linked resolutions to January 1st, a date named for the double-faced god Janus: the god of beginnings, endings, doorways, and transitions.
Over the centuries, the tradition evolved from religious vows to self-improvement goals, commencing a universal tradition for renewal and hope for a fresh start that continues to this day.
Fast forward to 2026
Thinking of all the inspiring women in my life, I was interested in what sayings and philosophies many of these women use to motivate themselves throughout the year. Many of us — men and women alike — often turn to mantras, books, podcasts and tried-and-true, homespun philosophies to help us attain goals, plow forward after a setback, bite our tongue, laugh out loud in the face of negativity, and generally keep buggering on! (Thank you, Winston Churchill. KBO!).
Mixing wit and wisdom alike (both are equally essential, IMHO), I’ve stitched together a “quilt” of wise aphorisms that inspiring women have told me help them get through their days, weeks, months and years.
Newport Harbor image created exclusively for WUN (with help from AI) by Michele Gallagher.
On Grit & Fortitude
Wisdom: Anything that doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. ~German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
Wit: “Dear Lord, I am strong enough!” ~Jennifer B.
Wisdom: “I am not letting anyone, or anything, ruin my day today.” Local author and motivational speaker Gail A., quoting author and motivational speaker Wayne Dyer.
Wisdom: “We can do hard things.” ~Local farmer Amy S.
Wisdom: “Every day in every way, I am getting better and better,” a positive affirmation coined by 19th century French philosopher Émile Coué that has become a mantra for willpower and self-improvement around the world.
On Mindset & Spirituality:
Wit: “A positive attitude won’t change the weather, but it does make the walk shorter.”
Wisdom: “Gratitude is an Attitude.” ~Zig Ziglar
Wit: “…and that’s a Platitude.” ~Jenna G.
Wit: “A positive attitude doesn’t cancel anxiety—it just coexists with it politely.”
Audrey Hepburn running down the Daru Steps at the Louvre in the 1957 film Funny Face.
Meme created by Michele Gallagher, inspired by muses Audrey Hepburn & Gail Alofsin.
On Self-Care:
Wisdom: “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Rest is important too.” ~Meredith S.
Wisdom: “Take a few breaths. Notice how you feel and know you can have this feeling anytime. You carry the tools with you,” ~Beverly C., always shared at the end her yoga classes.
Wit: “Don’t stand when you can sit, don’t sit when you can lie down.” ~Michele’s Grandma
Wisdom: “You are enough.” ~Wendy K.
On Coping with Life’s Disappointments with Humor:
Wisdom: “Onward! You can’t change the past so it’s not worth dwelling on it.” ~Bobbi McP.
Wit: “A girl can’t read that sort of thing without her lipstick.” ~ Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s upon reading a breakup letter. [To this day, I still re-apply my lipstick when life gets tricky.]
Wit: “If you missed the bus, another one comes along. Next!” ~Susan C’s father
On Homespun, Old-fashioned advice
Wit: “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.” First attributed to Joseph Addison in 1711 and later requoted by Tony Soprano and many others.
Wit: “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” ~ Often (mis-) attributed to Mark Twain, but it’s in the same spirit of Jonathan Swift’s “Falsehood flies, and the Truth comes limping after it” from 1710.
On Relationships:
Wisdom: “It is what it is. I will accept the things I can’t control.” ~Michelle G.
Wit: “Find a lover who will ruin your lipstick and not your mascara.” ~Attributed to Marilyn Monroe
Wit: “A woman happily in love, she burns the soufflé. A woman unhappily in love forgets to turn on the oven.” Quote from the 1954 film, Sabrina
On Leadership:
Wisdom: “You can do this!” ~Pamela P. quoting her former boss and remembering his strong encouragement.
Wit: “Leadership is equal parts compass, common sense and calm.” Old mariner’s wisdom
On Diversity:
Wisdom: “If every person was the same, it would be a very dull world.” ~Janet G., quoting her father
Wit: “If everyone around the table agrees, someone probably wasn’t invited.”
Wit: “Different perspectives don’t slow things down—they keep us from driving in circles.”
On Procrastination:
Wisdom: “When you can’t get started, just do one thing.”
Wit: Quoting the Winter Warlock in Santa Claus is Coming to Town, “Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking out the door!”
Wisdom: “A body in motion stays in motion.” ~Sir Isaac Newton
On Living Life to its Fullest:
Wisdom: “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” ~Gwen G’s mother
Wit: “In that case, I want better lighting.” ~Anonymous quip
Wit: “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of all my own actions.” ~Popular meme on taking responsibility
On Supporting Others:
Wisdom: “We all move forward when we recognize how resilient and striking the women around us are.” – Canadian poet and illustrator Rupi Kaur.
Wisdom: “A rising tide lifts all boats,” an idiom popularized by John F. Kennedy to discuss economic lift, but the concept itself originated from early Puritan sermons in Massachusetts dating back to the mid-17th century.
On Envy:
Wisdom: “Envy loses its grip when gratitude takes the wheel.” [The same can be true for feeling sorry for yourself.]
Wit: “I’ll have what she’s having.” Quote from 1989 film When Harry Met Sally
May your new year be enriched by the experiences, fortitude, intuition and, especially, enjoying the humorous moments you have collected along your life’s journey.
Michele Gallagher is a dedicated supporter of local businesses and non-profits and is the founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications.