--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can choose to let my past define me or…" description: "\"I can choose to let my past define me or I can choose to move and leave it behind me.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg" --- # I can choose to let my past define me or I can choose to… ![“I can choose to let my past define me or I can choose to move and leave it behind me.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg) > “I can choose to let my past define me or I can choose to move and leave it behind me.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. You can either let past experiences dictate your future or actively choose to move beyond them. **In simple terms:** Choose to move beyond your past. Key Takeaway Take control of your narrative. Themes self‑determination resilience choice Mood determined optimistic Type motivational self‑help When to use this quote - career change - healing from trauma - new habits - goal setting Key Concepts growth mindset agency Questions to Reflect On - What steps will you take to leave the past behind? - How can you remind yourself of your agency daily? A Different Perspective Past trauma may resurface, requiring ongoing effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Dont look back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dont-look-back/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I can choose to let it define me, confine me, refine me, outshine me, or I can choose to move on and leave it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-choose-to-let-it-define-me-confine-me-refine-me-outshine-me-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't let your past define you, let it refine you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-let-your-past-define-you-let-it-refine-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The past is the past. They call it that for a reason. Dont let the past get in the way of you or your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-past-is-the-past-they-call-it-that-for-a-reason-dont-let-the-past/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never let your your PAST ruin your FUTURE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-let-your-your-past-ruin-your-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't let your past steal your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-let-your-past-steal-your-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Dont let your past define who you are today...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-moore/dont-let-your-past-define-who-you-are-today/) Holly Moore > [Refuse to let your past define you. Make it kiss your ass and leave it behind you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-s/refuse-to-let-your-past-define-you-make-it-kiss-your-ass-and-leave-it/) [Laura S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-s/) > [“Never let your past define you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlyn-stone/never-let-your-past-define-you/) Kaitlyn Stone > [We are what we choose to be, Let others determine your worth and you've already lost. Because no one wants people worth more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-what-we-choose-to-be-let-others-determine-your-worth-and-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Make wise decisions & be careful who you Choose to let into your life. We have all the control and sometimes just don't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/make-wise-decisions-be-careful-who-you-choose-to-let-into-your-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...in the end you can't always choose what you keep. You can only choose how you let it go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-end-you-can-t-always-choose-what-you-keep-you-can-only-choose/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't think anyone's past should define who they are...You live and you learn. Never been one to judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-think-anyone-s-past-should-define-who-they-are-you-live-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Once you realize your past is just a story, it has no power over you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-you-realize-your-past-is-just-a-story-it-has-no-power-over-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every life has a watershed moment, an instant when you realize you're about to make a choice that will define everything else you ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/every-life-has-a-watershed-moment-an-instant-when-you-realize-you-re/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Its our actions that define us. What we choose. What we resist. What we're willing to die for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/its-our-actions-that-define-us-what-we-choose-what-we-resist-what-we/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I can choose to let my past define me or I can choose to move and leave it behind me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or-i-can-choose-to-move-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choices" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or-i-can-choose-to-move-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f2/anonymous-1_choices_i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or_3032061.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I can choose to let my past define me or I can choose to move and leave it behind me.” — Anonymous", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I can choose to let my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or-i-can-choose-to-move-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-choose-to-let-my-past-define-me-or-i-can-choose-to-move-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```