--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What's done is done. You can't change the…" description: "\"What's done is done. You can't change the past but you can look forward and change the future.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg" --- # What's done is done. You can't change the past but you can… ![“What's done is done. You can't change the past but you can look forward and change the future.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg) > “What's done is done. You can't change the past but you can look forward and change the future.” [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. The quote stresses that past actions are irreversible, urging focus on shaping future outcomes. **In simple terms:** Past cannot be altered; focus on future. Key Takeaway Act now to influence tomorrow. Themes responsibility future growth Mood reflective determined Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - relationship repair - goal setting Key Concepts agency time perception self‑efficacy Questions to Reflect On - What future actions can you control? - How do you let go of past regrets? A Different Perspective It may overlook structural constraints that limit future change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I look forward to change, but there is a part of me that absolutely dreads it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-durance/i-look-forward-to-change-but-there-is-a-part-of-me-that-absolutely/) [Erica Durance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-durance/) > [No amount of regretting can change the past, and no amount of worrying can change the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-amount-of-regretting-can-change-the-past-and-no-amount-of-worrying/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't change your past but, you can change your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-change-your-past-but-you-can-change-your-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The successful always has a number of projects planned, to which he looks forward. Anyone of them could change the course of his life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-successful-always-has-a-number-of-projects-planned-to-which-he/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dont sit around and try to change your past, when you have your entire future to look forward to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-sit-around-and-try-to-change-your-past-when-you-have-your-entire/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its hard to accept, but you cant change the past. You cant go back and manipulate things to the way you wanted them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayode-anthony/its-hard-to-accept-but-you-cant-change-the-past-you-cant-go-back-and/) Kayode Anthony > [When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-meltzer/when-you-forgive-you-in-no-way-change-the-past-but-you-sure-do-change/) [Bernard Meltzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-meltzer/) > [I can't change the past, but one person can change the future - anything can happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mooney/i-can-t-change-the-past-but-one-person-can-change-the-future-anything/) [Paul Mooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mooney/) > [You cant change the past. You cant even change the future, in the sense that you can only change the present one moment at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wall/you-cant-change-the-past-you-cant-even-change-the-future-in-the-sense/) [Larry Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wall/) > [You can't change the past so change something you can. the future!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-merryn/you-can-t-change-the-past-so-change-something-you-can-the-future/) [Erin Merryn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-merryn/) > [You can't change the past so don't let it haunt you. You can change the future but first you've got to want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-benatar/you-can-t-change-the-past-so-don-t-let-it-haunt-you-you-can-change/) [Pat Benatar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-benatar/) > [You can't change past history. But, you can change the future's history by cleansing your soul today. Forget, forgive, and love passionately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/majdi-rabah/you-can-t-change-past-history-but-you-can-change-the-future-s-history/) Majdi Rabah > [I know I can't change the past, but I change the future. I can change, too. And I will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/i-know-i-can-t-change-the-past-but-i-change-the-future-i-can-change/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“One last thing about past and future—and I have saved the best for last. You can’t change the past. You can change the future.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/one-last-thing-about-past-and-future-and-i-have-saved-the-best-for/) [Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/) > [When you forgive, you don't change the past, but you sure do change the future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/when-you-forgive-you-don-t-change-the-past-but-you-sure-do-change-the/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) ## 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 Be positive quotes > [The atmosphere which makes us to smile in pain,has two sides positive and negative, positive is that it makes us strong for comming events…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/athar-azeem/the-atmosphere-which-makes-us-to-smile-in-pain-has-two-sides-positive/) [Athar Azeem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/athar-azeem/) > [Of Moving Forward With Your Life In Spite Of Your Past.. Forgiving Yourself Even When Other's Won't. Waking Up Everyday With The Intention Of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/of-moving-forward-with-your-life-in-spite-of-your-past-forgiving/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [Go live. Go explore. Try something new!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/go-live-go-explore-try-something-new/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [HATE has 4 letters, But so does LOVE. Enemies has 7 letters, But so does FRIENDS. LYING has 5 letters, But so does TRUTH.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/hate-has-4-letters-but-so-does-love-enemies-has-7-letters-but-so-does/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“Unrequited love is the only emotion that allows sane people to taste the “life sentence” of someone with bipolar disorder. The longer they hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/unrequited-love-is-the-only-emotion-that-allows-sane-people-to-taste/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Happiness depends less on what happens to us and more on how we view the past positively, enjoy the moment and create the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/happiness-depends-less-on-what-happens-to-us-and-more-on-how-we-view/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Don't feel bad on failure. Failure created many great persons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-feel-bad-on-failure-failure-created-many-great-persons/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift meant to be enjoyed. So don't stress your self. Be positive and good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-mae-bautista/life-is-not-a-problem-to-be-solved-but-a-gift-meant-to-be-enjoyed-so/) [Anna Mae Bautista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-mae-bautista/) > [“Vulnerability + Action + Positive Thinking = Courage”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/vulnerability-action-positive-thinking-courage/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [Every body has at least one talent - Use it or lose it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/every-body-has-at-least-one-talent-use-it-or-lose-it/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The very moment at which you start to think in negative way. You loose the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/the-very-moment-at-which-you-start-to-think-in-negative-way-you-loose/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“Every time you speak, you are either building up yourself for the better or you are limiting yourself for the worse. Words carry power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/every-time-you-speak-you-are-either-building-up-yourself-for-the/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Life = be strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajat-dogra/life-be-strong/) [Rajat Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajat-dogra/) > [When life locks you in your room, simply go out the window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/when-life-locks-you-in-your-room-simply-go-out-the-window/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [People might try to criticise what we do and if thats the case, they clearly dont have the same vision we have, so whats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/people-might-try-to-criticise-what-we-do-and-if-thats-the-case-they/) Senoraroy Browse all 97 Be positive quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What's done is done. You can't change the past but you can look forward and change the future.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-look/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be positive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-look/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3d/anonymous-1_be-positive_what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the_2386354.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What's done is done. You can't change the past but you can look forward and change the future.” — 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": "What's done is done. You can't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-look/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-s-done-is-done-you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-look/#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 } } ] } ```