--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can't change the past but you can…" description: "\"You can't change the past but you can change the future so move forward.\" — Savannah Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg" --- # You can't change the past but you can change the future so… ![“You can't change the past but you can change the future so move forward.” quote by Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg) > “You can't change the past but you can change the future so move forward.” [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote emphasizes that while the past cannot be altered, we have agency to shape future outcomes by taking forward steps. **In simple terms:** You can’t change the past, but you can shape the future. Key Takeaway Focus on actions that build a better tomorrow. Themes self‑improvement future agency Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - career planning - relationship repair - health habits - financial budgeting Key Concepts psychology decision making growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take today toward your desired future? - How do you let go of past regrets? A Different Perspective Past trauma may still influence present choices, limiting forward momentum. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-future/) [Change Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-past/) [Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Future Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-forward-2393178/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Move forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/move-forward/) [Moving forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving-forward/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-change/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [You can not change the past but you can change the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal-technique/you-can-not-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future/) [Immortal Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immortal-technique/) > [You can't change the past, but you can change the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-barton/you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future/) [Karina Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-barton/) > [“You cant change the past, but you can change the future”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-dabbs/you-cant-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future/) [Reggie Dabbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-dabbs/) > [We can't change Our PAST But We can change out FUTURE By Giving some time to it in The PRESENT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/we-can-t-change-our-past-but-we-can-change-out-future-by-giving-some/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) > [“you can not change the past but you can always change the future”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlyn-cloyde-me/you-can-not-change-the-past-but-you-can-always-change-the-future/) [Kaitlyn Cloyde me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlyn-cloyde-me/) > [If you forgive.You cant change the past..but you can change the future..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariane-corbito/if-you-forgive-you-cant-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future/) [Mariane Corbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariane-corbito/) > [“PRINCIPLE #2: YOU CREATE YOUR OWN LIFE Whatever your history and circumstances, you should never feel locked in by what has happened to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-robinson/principle-2-you-create-your-own-life-whatever-your-history-and/) [Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-robinson/) > [You cant change the past. You cant even change the future, in the sense that you can only change the present one moment at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wall/you-cant-change-the-past-you-cant-even-change-the-future-in-the-sense/) [Larry Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wall/) > [You can't change the past so change something you can. the future!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-merryn/you-can-t-change-the-past-so-change-something-you-can-the-future/) [Erin Merryn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-merryn/) > [You can't change your past but, you can change your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-change-your-past-but-you-can-change-your-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its hard to accept, but you cant change the past. You cant go back and manipulate things to the way you wanted them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayode-anthony/its-hard-to-accept-but-you-cant-change-the-past-you-cant-go-back-and/) [Kayode Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayode-anthony/) > [“We can never alter our past but we can always change our future!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/we-can-never-alter-our-past-but-we-can-always-change-our-future/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [“Your minds PERCEPTION of the past will change your future vision, and either prevent or propel forward progress in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-goodrich/your-minds-perception-of-the-past-will-change-your-future-vision-and/) [Joe Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-goodrich/) > [“We can’t change what happened to us in our past, but we can change the future through our present practice. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-scrone/we-can-t-change-what-happened-to-us-in-our-past-but-we-can-change-the/) [Brian Scrone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-scrone/) > [Your past is Your past You can't change it but your future is forever you decide what you want out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/your-past-is-your-past-you-can-t-change-it-but-your-future-is-forever/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) ## More by Savannah Smith > [Chin up kid, they'd kill to see you fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/chin-up-kid-they-d-kill-to-see-you-fail/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [How did I get him?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/how-did-i-get-him/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [I am a sinner who's probably gonna sin again lord forgive me, for things I don't understand sometimes I need to be alone, bitch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/i-am-a-sinner-who-s-probably-gonna-sin-again-lord-forgive-me-for/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [We've still got a few days until Valentine's Day, so if you're secretly in love with me... Now is the time to speak up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/we-ve-still-got-a-few-days-until-valentine-s-day-so-if-you-re-2/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [Today, I've been through a lot... you know the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade?... Fuck that. When life gives you lemons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/today-i-ve-been-through-a-lot-you-know-the-saying-when-life-gives-you/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [If you want to fly, you've got to give up the things that weighs you down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/if-you-want-to-fly-you-ve-got-to-give-up-the-things-that-weighs-you/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [All of me, loves all of you, all your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections. ð](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/all-of-me-loves-all-of-you-all-your-curves-and-all-your-edges-all/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [The reason I hold on... cause I need this hole gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/the-reason-i-hold-on-cause-i-need-this-hole-gone/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [In too deep can't think about giving it up, but I never knew love, would hurt this fucking bad... worst pain that i've ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/in-too-deep-can-t-think-about-giving-it-up-but-i-never-knew-love/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [I was just a little girl, alone in my little world, who dreamed of a little house for me... I had a dream(:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/i-was-just-a-little-girl-alone-in-my-little-world-who-dreamed-of-a/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [If a guy wants you for your breasts, thighs, and legs, send him to KFC. You're a lady, not a cheap value meal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/if-a-guy-wants-you-for-your-breasts-thighs-and-legs-send-him-to-kfc/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [Baby… are you listening?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/baby-are-you-listening/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [If she's amazing, she won't be easy. If she's easy, she won't be amazing. If she's worth it, you won't give up. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/if-she-s-amazing-she-won-t-be-easy-if-she-s-easy-she-won-t-be-amazing-3/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [Five Seconds. Think about your mistake for five seconds then drop it. We can't change the past, but we can make it not happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/five-seconds-think-about-your-mistake-for-five-seconds-then-drop-it/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) > [When I don't see you, I'm perfectly fine and I can move on. But the second I see your face, I'm back to wishing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/when-i-don-t-see-you-i-m-perfectly-fine-and-i-can-move-on-but-the/) [Savannah Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) [Explore all 21 Savannah Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/) ## 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": "You can't change the past but you can change the future so move forward.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Savannah Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future-so-move/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future-so-move/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/savannah-smith-26693_change_you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-ch_1846417.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can't change the past but you can change the future so move forward.” — Savannah Smith", "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": "Savannah Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can't change the past but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future-so-move/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-smith/you-can-t-change-the-past-but-you-can-change-the-future-so-move/#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 } } ] } ```