---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Holding on to the past means you can…"
description: "\"“Holding on to the past means you can never be open to having a future”\" — Laurann Dohner"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg"
---

#  Holding on to the past means you can never be open to…

![“Holding on to the past means you can never be open to having a future” quote by Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg)

> ““Holding on to the past means you can never be open to having a future””

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

## 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 experiences blocks openness to future possibilities.

**In simple terms:** Letting go of past frees future.

Key Takeaway

Release old narratives to embrace new opportunities.

Themes

growth mindset future

Mood

contemplative encouraging

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- career transitions
- personal healing
- creative projects

Key Concepts

psychology attachment change management

Questions to Reflect On

- What past attachments hold you back?
- How can you practice openness daily?

A Different Perspective

Letting go can cause grief.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“When you accept the past for what it was, you will have a brighter future. Holding on to the past means that you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-m-edwards/when-you-accept-the-past-for-what-it-was-you-will-have-a-brighter/)

[Marcia M Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-m-edwards/)

> [“Holding on to some part of your past even if it means also holding on to the pain of never again having it. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-raasch/holding-on-to-some-part-of-your-past-even-if-it-means-also-holding-on/)

[Sara Raasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-raasch/)

> [“As Amani frantically diced the ingredients for her Pan seared Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa, she recalled her first meeting with him during a class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-hynes/as-amani-frantically-diced-the-ingredients-for-her-pan-seared-mahi/)

Joanna Hynes

> [“Is it really true that the only good thing a Blackman can offer in a relationship with a white woman is thunderous sex? Of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-mcchebe/is-it-really-true-that-the-only-good-thing-a-blackman-can-offer-in-a/)

Frank McChebe

> [“You won't break me. Just fucking own me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clancy-nacht/you-won-t-break-me-just-fucking-own-me/)

[Clancy Nacht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clancy-nacht/)

> [And I'm hoping that fair-minded people will stand up and say that what's been done to me is wrong, and that-that people's personal lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-gannon/and-i-m-hoping-that-fair-minded-people-will-stand-up-and-say-that/)

[Jeff Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-gannon/)

> [That is how we lived, happily and without hope. I was very young then, and I did not miss having a future because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/that-is-how-we-lived-happily-and-without-hope-i-was-very-young-then/)

[Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/)

> [Don't think of yourself as having a past, don't think of yourself as having a future. What's left?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/don-t-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-past-don-t-think-of-yourself-as/)

[Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/)

> [“There was no planning. No time for planning. No time for a future. But then the life spans started getting longer,and people started having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/there-was-no-planning-no-time-for-planning-no-time-for-a-future-but/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [“Stay positive. Sometimes you don't even realize you're blocking your own blessings by thinking negatively and holding on to the past. Learn to let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-positive-sometimes-you-don-t-even-realize-you-re-blocking-your/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [I left my past behind me cuz am not there anymore, but if u are still holding my past against me, then youll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaze-olamiday/i-left-my-past-behind-me-cuz-am-not-there-anymore-but-if-u-are-still/)

[Blaze Olamiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaze-olamiday/)

> [Holding onto a past mistake only bring issues back. It didn't cost your life, it means you are alive to make it up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/holding-onto-a-past-mistake-only-bring-issues-back-it-didn-t-cost/)

[Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/)

> [“The French know the intrinsic value of holding on to the past, its pleasures, its promises, and its tender mercies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-kopman-owens/the-french-know-the-intrinsic-value-of-holding-on-to-the-past-its/)

[Peggy Kopman-Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-kopman-owens/)

> [Each day you spend holding onto the past keeps you from grabbing a hold of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/each-day-you-spend-holding-onto-the-past-keeps-you-from-grabbing-a/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“I'm tired of holding onto the past, tired of my memories taking me back there, and I know you are too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-anderson/i-m-tired-of-holding-onto-the-past-tired-of-my-memories-taking-me/)

T.A. Anderson

## More by Laurann Dohner

> [“Does he kick puppies too? He should put that on his life resume to really impress people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/does-he-kick-puppies-too-he-should-put-that-on-his-life-resume-to/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“She rolled over and sat up as he bent, tearing off his boots. "Whatcha doing?" "Getting naked." "I like that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/she-rolled-over-and-sat-up-as-he-bent-tearing-off-his-boots-whatcha/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“His mouth hardened into a tight line for a moment. “I plead for nothing.” His voice deepened. “I beg for nothing.” He paused, searching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/his-mouth-hardened-into-a-tight-line-for-a-moment-i-plead-for-nothing/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“There is always that one spark that gives hope for better things when life is bad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/there-is-always-that-one-spark-that-gives-hope-for-better-things-when/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“That was real?” His arms tightened. “Yeah. The stench of all that blood overwhelmed you. It’s to be expected, you being a new mate.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/that-was-real-his-arms-tightened-yeah-the-stench-of-all-that-blood/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“She would swear her ovaries ached watching his features grow animated as he made soft baby noises.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/she-would-swear-her-ovaries-ached-watching-his-features-grow-animated/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“Species tend to bite sometimes during the sharing of sex but we never break the skin. There are only two ways this usually happens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/species-tend-to-bite-sometimes-during-the-sharing-of-sex-but-we-never/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“You don’t do humans,” Fray stated. “I might if I find one like her. You have to admit, even holding our breaths, her fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/you-don-t-do-humans-fray-stated-i-might-if-i-find-one-like-her-you/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“You’re not supposed to look so excited when I threaten you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/you-re-not-supposed-to-look-so-excited-when-i-threaten-you/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“keep half and tell him to spend the five bucks on toilet paper, because he’s full of shit.” The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/keep-half-and-tell-him-to-spend-the-five-bucks-on-toilet-paper/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“I could mount you until I die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/i-could-mount-you-until-i-die/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“Orange isn’t my color, but I’m betting black and blue isn’t yours, either. Get lost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/orange-isn-t-my-color-but-i-m-betting-black-and-blue-isn-t-yours/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“I know you love me too. You just don’t say it because you’re a badass and it’s going to take time to wear you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/i-know-you-love-me-too-you-just-don-t-say-it-because-you-re-a-badass/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“You’re wrong. You’re intelligent, strong-willed, have a quick wit, and you’re compassionate. You’re also beautiful, courageous, and I’ve never been so drawn to another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/you-re-wrong-you-re-intelligent-strong-willed-have-a-quick-wit-and/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

> [“I never thought I’d see the day when a little female would take you down. This is what they call priceless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/i-never-thought-i-d-see-the-day-when-a-little-female-would-take-you/)

[Laurann Dohner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

[Explore all 67 Laurann Dohner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/)

## More Future quotes

> [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/)

[John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [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/)

> [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/)

[Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/)

> [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-no-idea-now-of-who-or-what-the-inhabitants-of-our-future/)

[William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/)

> [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/)

[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/)

> [Football is my passion, and who knows where I will play in the future - you cannot foresee that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edinson-cavani/football-is-my-passion-and-who-knows-where-i-will-play-in-the-future/)

[Edinson Cavani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edinson-cavani/)

> [When I was 17, I broke up with my future wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-allen/when-i-was-17-i-broke-up-with-my-future-wife/)

[Kris Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-allen/)

> [I think everybody in the future has stopped talking to each other and we all just use emojis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-moffatt/i-think-everybody-in-the-future-has-stopped-talking-to-each-other-and/)

[Scarlett Moffatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-moffatt/)

> [When you continue to dwell on the past, there's no chance for a future. History repeats itself, thus, it's ok to LOOK back at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-continue-to-dwell-on-the-past-there-s-no-chance-for-a-future/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/)

[John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/)

> [Starting a new job can be nerve-racking , but it's also exciting. You're embarking on a new future, positioning yourself to write a fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adena-friedman/starting-a-new-job-can-be-nerve-racking-but-it-s-also-exciting-you-re/)

[Adena Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adena-friedman/)

[Browse all 12,349 Future quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Holding on to the past means you can never be open to having a future”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Laurann Dohner"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-never-be-open-to-having-a-future/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Future"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-never-be-open-to-having-a-future/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/laurann-dohner-10126_future_holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-nev_2827041.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Holding on to the past means you can never be open to having a future” — Laurann Dohner",
                "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": "Laurann Dohner",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurann-dohner/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Holding on to the past means...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-never-be-open-to-having-a-future/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurann-dohner/holding-on-to-the-past-means-you-can-never-be-open-to-having-a-future/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
