--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't hold onto things, it will only…" description: "\"“Don't hold onto things, it will only bring you pain.”\" — Ellen DeGeneres" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9a/ellen-degeneres-604_inspirational_don-t-hold-onto-things-it-will-only-brin_1572432.jpg" --- # Don't hold onto things, it will only bring you pain. ![“Don't hold onto things, it will only bring you pain.” quote by Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9a/ellen-degeneres-604_inspirational_don-t-hold-onto-things-it-will-only-brin_1572432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9a/ellen-degeneres-604_inspirational_don-t-hold-onto-things-it-will-only-brin_1572432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9a/ellen-degeneres-604_inspirational_don-t-hold-onto-things-it-will-only-brin_1572432.jpg) > ““Don't hold onto things, it will only bring you pain.”” [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Clinging to past hurts prolongs suffering; letting go frees emotional space. **In simple terms:** Holding onto things causes pain. Key Takeaway Practice letting go to reduce suffering. Themes attachment pain freedom Mood empathetic hopeful Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - breakups - grief - conflict resolution - personal setbacks Key Concepts mindfulness emotional health Questions to Reflect On - What are you holding onto that hurts? - How can you release without losing important lessons? A Different Perspective Some memories may be valuable; complete detachment can be harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bring Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bring-pain-249317/) [Hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold/) [Hold Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-things/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Things Bring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-bring-330692/) ## Related quotes > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [You will never be truly happy if you continuously hold on to the things that make you sad. Let things go and move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-be-truly-happy-if-you-continuously-hold-on-to-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The same ones you love will bring you pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/the-same-ones-you-love-will-bring-you-pain/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [“Humans create terrible things. Why do they make things that only bring them pain? It’s because they don’t know what’s comfortable anymore. So perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clamp/humans-create-terrible-things-why-do-they-make-things-that-only-bring/) [CLAMP](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clamp/) > [Sometimes it is the things that you can't do, that bring out the brilliance of what you can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-it-is-the-things-that-you-can-t-do-that-bring-out-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People always ask me, "Oh, do you ever want to start your own thing?" And I don't, actually. I think what I enjoy most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dundas/people-always-ask-me-oh-do-you-ever-want-to-start-your-own-thing-and/) [Peter Dundas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dundas/) > [I work with men a lot, and there's a yin and a yang that goes on when you work one guy and one girl.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-murphy/i-work-with-men-a-lot-and-there-s-a-yin-and-a-yang-that-goes-on-when/) [Roisin Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-murphy/) > [You cannot escape what you have to deal with inside yourself. It will never bring good things. It will only bring madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-cotillard/you-cannot-escape-what-you-have-to-deal-with-inside-yourself-it-will/) [Marion Cotillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-cotillard/) > [Things bring their own philosophy with them, that is, prudence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/things-bring-their-own-philosophy-with-them-that-is-prudence/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“I love the things that bring love to spring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-smith/i-love-the-things-that-bring-love-to-spring/) [Patty Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-smith/) > [After all the things you put me through, I cant bring myself to get over you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/after-all-the-things-you-put-me-through-i-cant-bring-myself-to-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The most simple things can bring the most happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izabella-scorupco/the-most-simple-things-can-bring-the-most-happiness/) [Izabella Scorupco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izabella-scorupco/) > [The more things that can bring you joy in life, the better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-more-things-that-can-bring-you-joy-in-life-the-better/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [“Small things bring joy, somedays.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-ellis/small-things-bring-joy-somedays/) [Warren Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-ellis/) > [“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasie-west/sometimes-it-s-the-little-things-that-bring-that-special-someone-back/) [Kasie West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasie-west/) ## More by Ellen DeGeneres > [I wanted to have money; I wanted to be special; I wanted people to like me; I wanted to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-wanted-to-have-money-i-wanted-to-be-special-i-wanted-people-to-like/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I think what saved me is me being honest. I think I somewhow had the courage to do something and say something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-what-saved-me-is-me-being-honest-i-think-i-somewhow-had-the/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I think there's too much mult-tasking going on. I think people need to quiet down and focus and be still more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-think-there-s-too-much-mult-tasking-going-on-i-think-people-need-to/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [We can sit and worry about what's going to happen to us two weeks from now. I'd rather focus on the amazing things happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/we-can-sit-and-worry-about-what-s-going-to-happen-to-us-two-weeks/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [It's our challenges and obstacles that give us layers of depth and make us interesting. Are they fun when they happen? No. But they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/it-s-our-challenges-and-obstacles-that-give-us-layers-of-depth-and/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I had done a sitcom and a movie and hosted the Emmys, and all of a sudden, I lost everything. As someone put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/i-had-done-a-sitcom-and-a-movie-and-hosted-the-emmys-and-all-of-a/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [The thing everyone should realize is that the key to happiness is being happy for yourself and yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-thing-everyone-should-realize-is-that-the-key-to-happiness-is/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Save a life this Thanksgiving, and join me in starting a new tradition by adopting a turkey instead of eating one through Farm Sanctuary's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/save-a-life-this-thanksgiving-and-join-me-in-starting-a-new-tradition/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: Yes. Yes. No. One time in high school. Three times in my twenties. Rocks no salt. Yes. Four. Never.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-yes-yes-no-one-time-in-high/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Actually this is really funny - one time she accidentally forgot to leave a note and I had no idea she had even moved.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/actually-this-is-really-funny-one-time-she-accidentally-forgot-to/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [A circus! 100 clowns of injustice have climbed out of the tiny clown car of this court room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/a-circus-100-clowns-of-injustice-have-climbed-out-of-the-tiny-clown/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Gratitude is looking on the brighter side of the life, even if it means hurting your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/gratitude-is-looking-on-the-brighter-side-of-the-life-even-if-it/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [What's New Orleans without music? And what's music without dancing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/what-s-new-orleans-without-music-and-what-s-music-without-dancing/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [The legend goes that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. I was thinking... that must be hard to put all the tiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-legend-goes-that-st-patrick-drove-the-snakes-out-of-ireland-i-was/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Quick decision makers are often stuck behind annoying people in line at Starbucks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/quick-decision-makers-are-often-stuck-behind-annoying-people-in-line/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) [Explore all 450 Ellen DeGeneres quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) ## More Hold quotes > [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) > [See you in a few. Hold down the fort, Mr. Wong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/see-you-in-a-few-hold-down-the-fort-mr-wong/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [As we go through this transition where a lot more people will be reading on devices, nobody is paying enough attention to make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/as-we-go-through-this-transition-where-a-lot-more-people-will-be/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I hold that religion and faith are two different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buckley/i-hold-that-religion-and-faith-are-two-different-things/) [Pat Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buckley/) > [I don't have any regrets or hold any grudge against anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cooper-kupp/i-don-t-have-any-regrets-or-hold-any-grudge-against-anyone/) [Cooper Kupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cooper-kupp/) > [I do not chase after anyone if you wanna walk out my life then I will hold the fu\*\*\*\*g door open for you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/i-do-not-chase-after-anyone-if-you-wanna-walk-out-my-life-then-i-will/) [Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/) > [Be aware and hold the government accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohit-chauhan/be-aware-and-hold-the-government-accountable/) [Mohit Chauhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohit-chauhan/) > [“Only the sky above us do we hold in common.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/only-the-sky-above-us-do-we-hold-in-common/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Just as Wall Street needs to break the hold of the bonus culture, which drives risk-taking that is rational for individuals but damaging to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-schekman/just-as-wall-street-needs-to-break-the-hold-of-the-bonus-culture/) [Randy Schekman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-schekman/) > [Hold tenderly that which you cherish, for it is precious and a tight grip may crush it. 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