--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can’t go back through time and change…" description: "\"“I can’t go back through time and change things, but I can move forward and create the life I want.”\" — Jessica Sorensen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg" --- # I can’t go back through time and change things, but I can… ![“I can’t go back through time and change things, but I can move forward and create the life I want.” quote by Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg) > ““I can’t go back through time and change things, but I can move forward and create the life I want.”” [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages moving forward and shaping one’s future despite past regrets. **In simple terms:** You can’t change the past, but you can shape the future. Key Takeaway Focus on present actions for future outcomes. Themes self‑growth future agency Mood motivational hopeful Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - relationship building - health goals Key Concepts personal development mindset shift Questions to Reflect On - What steps will you take today? - How do you define the life you want? A Different Perspective Past trauma may hinder progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-things/) [Create Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/create-life/) [Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Move forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move-forward/) [Things Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-forward-1235029/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time and change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-and-change/) ## Related quotes > [“Yes, that dream ultimately failed, but I learned so much. Mostly tiny things, but it only takes a spark to light a fire. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-hope-fletcher/yes-that-dream-ultimately-failed-but-i-learned-so-much-mostly-tiny/) [Carrie Hope Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-hope-fletcher/) > [There is only now, no future or past just now. You cannot travel back in time and change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/there-is-only-now-no-future-or-past-just-now-you-cannot-travel-back/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [I always had all of these childhood fantasies about wanting to invent things, like a spaceship or a time machine. And everyone's imagined what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-grey/i-always-had-all-of-these-childhood-fantasies-about-wanting-to-invent/) [Sasha Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-grey/) > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Even when you think things can never move forward and you feel so low, there's always a way out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-piper/even-when-you-think-things-can-never-move-forward-and-you-feel-so-low/) [Katie Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-piper/) > [How Donald Trump reaches out to groups that may not have supported him, how he signals his interest in their issues or concerns, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/how-donald-trump-reaches-out-to-groups-that-may-not-have-supported/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Everybody is gonna die from something. 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That's the only thing to move things forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-zimmer/if-somebody-tells-you-a-rule-break-it-that-s-the-only-thing-to-move/) [Hans Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-zimmer/) > [“Unfortunately, things move forward in their own time and all we can do is our part on a daily basis...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-toth-smith/unfortunately-things-move-forward-in-their-own-time-and-all-we-can-do/) [Pat Toth-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-toth-smith/) > [I always like to tweak things and push things forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramin-djawadi/i-always-like-to-tweak-things-and-push-things-forward/) [Ramin Djawadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramin-djawadi/) > [It takes courage to push things forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-mowlam/it-takes-courage-to-push-things-forward/) [Mo Mowlam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-mowlam/) > [I don't chase after things, but I put forward the effort and know the rest of it is out of my hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/i-don-t-chase-after-things-but-i-put-forward-the-effort-and-know-the/) [Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/) > [In my experience, people looking for progress aren't actually looking to move things forward. They're looking to be perceived in a certain way: as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/in-my-experience-people-looking-for-progress-aren-t-actually-looking/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [“If somebody tells you a rule, break it. That's the only way to move things forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-zimmer/if-somebody-tells-you-a-rule-break-it-that-s-the-only-way-to-move/) [Hans Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-zimmer/) ## More by Jessica Sorensen > [“If you love someone, losing them is one of the most painful experiences.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/if-you-love-someone-losing-them-is-one-of-the-most-painful-experiences/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [“I think about everything; good and bad. I think about the pain Ive experienced, the fear, the love, the passion, the kisses, the friendships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-think-about-everything-good-and-bad-i-think-about-the-pain-ive/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [Please don't go. I just got you back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/please-don-t-go-i-just-got-you-back/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [“We could talk..." I take a long inhale off my cigarette and gradually let it out, smoke circling my face. "If you want to."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/we-could-talk-i-take-a-long-inhale-off-my-cigarette-and-gradually-let/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [But sometimes stuff happens and we find ourselves lost, and suddenly we're standing in a place we don't recognize and can't remember walking-or falling-there,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/but-sometimes-stuff-happens-and-we-find-ourselves-lost-and-suddenly/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [There is something about someone trusting you enough with their secrets that it makes it easier to trust them. It’s like they’re opening their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/there-is-something-about-someone-trusting-you-enough-with-their/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [“Great thinking Gemma. Way to set yourself up for a cold death. Didn’t your dreams teach you anything?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/great-thinking-gemma-way-to-set-yourself-up-for-a-cold-death-didn-t/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [You don’t forget. You just move past it. Let go. Be who you were supposed to be instead of who they make you feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/you-don-t-forget-you-just-move-past-it-let-go-be-who-you-were/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [Are you talking to her or me, because I just can't tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/are-you-talking-to-her-or-me-because-i-just-can-t-tell/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [I'm just here,existing at the surface of the water,not quite drowning but not quite able to breathe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-m-just-here-existing-at-the-surface-of-the-water-not-quite-drowning/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [I just let the pain take over, allowing it to numb the pain of being left behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-just-let-the-pain-take-over-allowing-it-to-numb-the-pain-of-being/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [Seize the day, take hold of it, and make it whatever you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/seize-the-day-take-hold-of-it-and-make-it-whatever-you-want/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [Four wings, two hearts, but only one soul. They connect in the middle, but are separated by a thin line of ash. Its what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/four-wings-two-hearts-but-only-one-soul-they-connect-in-the-middle/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [It’s a moment I’ll remember forever, because it belongs to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/it-s-a-moment-i-ll-remember-forever-because-it-belongs-to-me/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) > [The vertical lines that run down his forearms are the most disturbing, thick and jagged as if someone took a razor to his skin.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/the-vertical-lines-that-run-down-his-forearms-are-the-most-disturbing/) [Jessica Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) [Explore all 236 Jessica Sorensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [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/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I can’t go back through time and change things, but I can move forward and create the life I want.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jessica Sorensen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change-things-but-i-can-move-forward/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change-things-but-i-can-move-forward/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/jessica-sorensen-1288_change_i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change_2941112.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I can’t go back through time and change things, but I can move forward and create the life I want.” — Jessica Sorensen", "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": "Jessica Sorensen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-sorensen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I can’t go back through time...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change-things-but-i-can-move-forward/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-sorensen/i-can-t-go-back-through-time-and-change-things-but-i-can-move-forward/#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 } } ] } ```