8 uplifting Michelle Obama quotes for when you need a pep talk

There’s no doubt that when Michelle Obama talks, the world takes note.

Case in point: Her bestselling memoir, Becoming, recently outpaced Fifty Shades of Grey as the longest-running top seller on Amazon; she inspired a few young girls to dress like the former first lady and even write books of their own; not to mention Obama was named America’s “Most Admired Woman” in 2018.

Former first lady Michelle Obama discusses her book <em>Becoming</em> at Barclays Center on Dec. 19 in New York City. (Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Former first lady Michelle Obama discusses her book Becoming at Barclays Center on Dec. 19 in New York City. (Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

So when we get low, we turn to Michelle Obama to help us reach higher. Here are all the answers to your “What Would Michelle Obama Do?” situations:

When you don’t quite “have it all”

“That whole ‘so you can have it all.’ Nope, not at the same time. That’s a lie. And it’s not always enough to lean in, because that s*** doesn’t work all the time.”

When you’re doubting yourself

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”

When someone else doubts you

“All these unfairness and inequities you all experience every day in your life and the bullies that loud mouth that person… you know, they’re all around you. All that stuff just follows you into adulthood. So you practicing that strength, practice understanding your passion, you practice utilizing your power.”

When you’re afraid to take the next step

“You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”

When your haters are getting you down

“When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, when they go low we go high.”

When you make a mistake

“Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed.”

When you’re having a midlife crisis

“The early part of my life was focused on sort of reaching those traditional markers of success. I focused on getting the right degrees, going to the right schools. So by the time I was in my mid-20s and working at a firm I had everything that I was told I should want but I could still feel that there was something missing. I started to ask myself some more important questions like what do I really care about and how do I give something back?”

When you’re feeling lost

“Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realized that being successful isn’t about being impressive; it’s about being inspired. That’s what it means to be true to yourself.”

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