Change the world Quote by David Nicholls
““And so Emma Morley walked home in the evening light, trailing her disappointment behind her. The day was cooling off now, and she shivered as she felt something in the air, an unexpected shudder of anxiety that ran the length of her spine, and was so intense as to make her stop walking for a moment. Fear of the future, she thought. She found herself at the imposing junction of George Street and Hanover Street as all around her people hurried home from work or out to meet friends or lovers, all with a sense of purpose and direction. And here she was, twenty-two and clueless and sloping back to a dingy flat, defeated once again. ‘What are you doing to do with your life?’ In one way or another it seemed that people had been asking her this forever, teachers. her parents, friends at three in the morning, but the question had never seemed this pressing and still she was no nearer an answer. The future rose up ahead of her, a succession of empty days, each more daunting and unknowable than the one before her. How would she ever fill them all? She began walking again, south towards The Mound. ‘Live each day as if it’s your last’, that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn’t practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and be courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at…something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: One Day by David Nicholls, 2009
The passage captures a young adult’s existential anxiety about purpose, confronting the pressure of societal expectations while seeking authentic, courageous living.
In simple terms: Feeling lost but wanting to act meaningfully.
Embrace courage and purposeful action despite uncertainty.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career crossroads
- creative projects
- personal relationships
- daily decision‑making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What small step can you take today toward a meaningful goal?
- How do you balance personal passion with practical responsibilities?
The advice to “live each day as if it’s your last” can be overwhelming and unrealistic for many.