--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're looking back, you can't look…" description: "\"“When you're looking back, you can't look forward. And sometimes you run smack into something and hit your head.”\" — Jennifer Niven" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/jennifer-niven-2493_forward_when-you-re-looking-back-you-can-t-look_3085613.jpg" --- # When you're looking back, you can't look forward. And… ![“When you're looking back, you can't look forward. And sometimes you run smack into something and hit your head.” quote by Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/jennifer-niven-2493_forward_when-you-re-looking-back-you-can-t-look_3085613.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/jennifer-niven-2493_forward_when-you-re-looking-back-you-can-t-look_3085613.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/jennifer-niven-2493_forward_when-you-re-looking-back-you-can-t-look_3085613.jpg) > ““When you're looking back, you can't look forward. And sometimes you run smack into something and hit your head.”” [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being stuck in the past hinders future progress; unexpected setbacks can cause sudden realization. **In simple terms:** Past focus blocks forward motion; setbacks surprise. Key Takeaway Stay present and adapt to surprises. Themes growth mindfulness resilience Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career transitions - personal setbacks - creative work Key Concepts psychology time perception learning from mistakes Questions to Reflect On - What prevents you from moving forward? - How can you turn setbacks into learning? A Different Perspective Focusing on past can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward/) [Hit Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hit-head/) [Look forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-forward/) [Looking Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-look-564738/) [Run Smack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/run-smack-5283075/) [Smack Hit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smack-hit-2395441/) ## Related quotes > [I've never particularly liked the idea of looking back; I'd rather look forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-asher/i-ve-never-particularly-liked-the-idea-of-looking-back-i-d-rather/) [Jane Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-asher/) > [“Sometimes, Lev, I just want to smack you." "You already hit him with a car.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/sometimes-lev-i-just-want-to-smack-you-you-already-hit-him-with-a-car/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [MARRIAGE, SUCCESSFUL, is best assured when, instead of looking at each other, the two look out in the same direction;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/marriage-successful-is-best-assured-when-instead-of-looking-at-each/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“What are you looking for?” The look he gave her pinned her to the spot. “You.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-stuart/what-are-you-looking-for-the-look-he-gave-her-pinned-her-to-the-spot/) [Savannah Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-stuart/) > [When you're sure of what you're looking at, look harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-powers/when-you-re-sure-of-what-you-re-looking-at-look-harder/) [Richard Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-powers/) > [I want you to see that I'm looking. Look at me look at you. I'm cool with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busta-rhymes/i-want-you-to-see-that-i-m-looking-look-at-me-look-at-you-i-m-cool/) [Busta Rhymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busta-rhymes/) > [I'm constantly looking to see whether I look the same as I did earlier, whether I've put on or lost any weight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-m-constantly-looking-to-see-whether-i-look-the-same-as-i-did/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [We do a lot of looking: we look through lenses, telescopes, television tubes... Our looking is perfected every day, but we see less and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-franck/we-do-a-lot-of-looking-we-look-through-lenses-telescopes-television/) [Frederick Franck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-franck/) > [Sometimes I look at you... and you seem to be looking back at me... but sometimes you look away... like you're afraid of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-look-at-you-and-you-seem-to-be-looking-back-at-me-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want you to see that Im looking. Look at me look at you. Im cool with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busta-rhymes/i-want-you-to-see-that-im-looking-look-at-me-look-at-you-im-cool-with/) [Busta Rhymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busta-rhymes/) > [Maybe I'm funny but I look forward to getting to work each day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-coogan/maybe-i-m-funny-but-i-look-forward-to-getting-to-work-each-day/) [Jackie Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-coogan/) > [I don't look forward to anything. I take things as they come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yami-gautam/i-don-t-look-forward-to-anything-i-take-things-as-they-come/) [Yami Gautam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yami-gautam/) > [Steve Jobs was a real rock star to me. I looked forward to his products like people look forward to albums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-armisen/steve-jobs-was-a-real-rock-star-to-me-i-looked-forward-to-his/) [Fred Armisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-armisen/) > [As a manager you have to look forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-nagelsmann/as-a-manager-you-have-to-look-forward/) [Julian Nagelsmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-nagelsmann/) > [From now on, we want to put on even cooler performances, be cooler, be better, so look forward to it. Please, always look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suga/from-now-on-we-want-to-put-on-even-cooler-performances-be-cooler-be/) [Suga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suga/) ## More by Jennifer Niven > [The problem with people is they forget that most of the time it's the small things that count.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/the-problem-with-people-is-they-forget-that-most-of-the-time-it-s-the/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“I am disappearing, maybe I'm already gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/i-am-disappearing-maybe-i-m-already-gone/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“Sometimes, Ultraviolet, things feel true to us even if they’re not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/sometimes-ultraviolet-things-feel-true-to-us-even-if-they-re-not/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“Stars on the sky, stars on the ground. It's hard to tell where the sky ends and the earth begins.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/stars-on-the-sky-stars-on-the-ground-it-s-hard-to-tell-where-the-sky/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“Who cares for Algebra? Who delights in solving math? I only want to live my life Along the creative path.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/who-cares-for-algebra-who-delights-in-solving-math-i-only-want-to/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [Sorry wastes time. You have to live your life like you'll never be sorry. It's easier just to do the right thing from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/sorry-wastes-time-you-have-to-live-your-life-like-you-ll-never-be/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“I expect some fast reply, something flirty and flip, but instead he doesn't look up, just reaches for my hand and keeps reading. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/i-expect-some-fast-reply-something-flirty-and-flip-but-instead-he/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“You shouldn't spend all your time worrying about the love that leaves, because then you might overlook the love that was always there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/you-shouldn-t-spend-all-your-time-worrying-about-the-love-that-leaves/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“There's more to you than meets the eye”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/there-s-more-to-you-than-meets-the-eye/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“Maybe it isn't the room that's different. Maybe it's me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/maybe-it-isn-t-the-room-that-s-different-maybe-it-s-me/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“You’re probably better at math than I am, because pretty much everyone’s better at math than I am, but it’s okay, I’m fine with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/you-re-probably-better-at-math-than-i-am-because-pretty-much-everyone/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“lovely is a lovey word that should be used more often”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/lovely-is-a-lovey-word-that-should-be-used-more-often/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [Since I stopped writing, I read more than ever. Other people's words, not my own - my words are gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/since-i-stopped-writing-i-read-more-than-ever-other-people-s-words/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“It's my experience that people are a lot more sympathetic if they can see you hurting, and for the millionth time in my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/it-s-my-experience-that-people-are-a-lot-more-sympathetic-if-they-can/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“Be careful with that heart of yours”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/be-careful-with-that-heart-of-yours/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) [Explore all 162 Jennifer Niven quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) ## More Forward quotes > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [The further forward we go, the further back we have to explore in order to go forward again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gardiner/the-further-forward-we-go-the-further-back-we-have-to-explore-in/) [Stephen Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gardiner/) > [“You have a right to be sad, and a duty to move on. Only wins who wipes the tears, gather strength and move forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusto-branco/you-have-a-right-to-be-sad-and-a-duty-to-move-on-only-wins-who-wipes/) [Augusto Branco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusto-branco/) > [Don't let anything holds you back, not even your loved ones. YOU must keep moving forward, NOT backwards!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia/don-t-let-anything-holds-you-back-not-even-your-loved-ones-you-must/) [Mia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia/) > [If my wisdom could get support from officials, I think society would move forward 20 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chen-guangbiao/if-my-wisdom-could-get-support-from-officials-i-think-society-would/) [Chen Guangbiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chen-guangbiao/) > [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [I'm a fan of supersymmetry, largely because it seems to be the only route by which gravity can be brought into the scheme. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-higgs/i-m-a-fan-of-supersymmetry-largely-because-it-seems-to-be-the-only/) [Peter Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-higgs/) > [I would love 'Aankhen 2' to happen. I would have Govinda and I play these two brothers and having kids who can take it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chunky-pandey/i-would-love-aankhen-2-to-happen-i-would-have-govinda-and-i-play/) [Chunky Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chunky-pandey/) > [I really tried to put my best foot forward all these years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhinav-bindra/i-really-tried-to-put-my-best-foot-forward-all-these-years/) [Abhinav Bindra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhinav-bindra/) > [As long as your curiosity is greater than your fear, you will move forward!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/as-long-as-your-curiosity-is-greater-than-your-fear-you-will-move/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [In today's day and age, one looks forward to experimenting and it pays off at times and at times it doesn't. This does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/in-today-s-day-and-age-one-looks-forward-to-experimenting-and-it-pays/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [“I'm sure if you go forward, that something you'll find it, you'll find it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chaejin-insoo/i-m-sure-if-you-go-forward-that-something-you-ll-find-it-you-ll-find/) [Chaejin Insoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chaejin-insoo/) > [I'm really looking forward to a time when generations after us look back and say how ridiculous it was that humans were driving cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/i-m-really-looking-forward-to-a-time-when-generations-after-us-look/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [I would not have lasted a minute, literally a minute, on this Earth without God and angels by my side, because I was born.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mattie-stepanek/i-would-not-have-lasted-a-minute-literally-a-minute-on-this-earth/) [Mattie Stepanek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mattie-stepanek/) > [You are innocent until proven guilty. And if folks have come forward, whether it is judge Roy Moore or whether it is anyone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rosendale/you-are-innocent-until-proven-guilty-and-if-folks-have-come-forward/) [Matt Rosendale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rosendale/) [Browse all 3,019 Forward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When you're looking back, you can't look forward. 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