Quotes for teens on life lessons

Quote Overview / Description

Quote about sadness and emotions

This quote about sadness shows teens that it’s ok to feel sad sometimes. The quote reminds them that there are lots of reasons people feel sad or "feel bad" about having done something, and most are normal moments that rise up and fade away. Feeling a mix of happiness and sadness is a normal part of life and serves a healthy purpose.

• Sometimes feeling sad or bad is really about being compassionate.
• Sometimes feeling bad is your conscience helping you make better choices. Embarrassment and shame help us remember to make better choices next time.
• And sometimes, people get stuck in a cycle of feeling sad and need help to get out of it.

This quote on sadness, happiness, and overall emotional aspects of life is a good launching point to help kids understand their own emotions and to encourage them to know the difference between normal sadness and depression.

Discussion questions / Writing Prompts

Questions to prompt discussion, journaling, essays for high school health class and social emotional development lessons:

1. Is it good to feel empathy even if it means you feel sadness? Should you have boundaries when feeling empathy? (Try this resource: What is Empathy? Definition and Examples)
2. Is there a situation when being embarrassed or feeling shame can help you? Are there situations when someone shames someone else that is harmful?
3. What are some things you can do if you feel a little sad? What if you try lots of things and still can’t stop feeling very sad? (See the activities section for resources on the difference between sadness and depression.)
4. What are some signs that sadness is temporary? What are some signs that someone needs help overcoming their sadness?

Video

Activities

Activities and worksheets for teen SEL / high school health and wellness lessons:

1. Gratitude Journaling Activity- A week-long activity to record things that teens are thankful for, and measure the impact on happiness.
2. Creating Lasting Happiness Activity- Using a video and worksheet, teens learn about strategies for creating lasting happiness.
3. Journaling Page on Feeling Sad- Printable journaling page for this quote on processing sadness in a healthy way.

Resources on Sadness in Teens

1. Helping High Schoolers Manage Emotions- video and tips from Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility
2. Teenline: Talk, text or email with trained teens on real life issues. Discussion boards, printable brochures and more resources by mental health professionals.
3. Suicide prevention brochure includes topics such as “What are the danger signs” and “How can you know if it’s serious”.
4. Difference between sadness and depression written for younger audiences
5. Difference between sadness and depression for older audiences
6. Strategies for dealing with sadness and depression for young adults and older
7. US Suicide Helpline

Coloring Pages

Download printable coloring pages for a mindfulness activity that features this quote.

1. Classic coloring page
2. Feeling Growth coloring page

Curriculum Topics

High School Health Class / Social Emotional Development Core Curriculum Alignment:

• Positive relationships
• Self-concept
• Happiness / emotions
• Growing up and change

Themes

• Sadness and happiness are part of a healthy life
• Understanding your own emotions is a healthy part of self concept
• Having empathy for others
• Listen to your conscience for healthier decision making

Character Traits/Values

• Growth Mindset
• Caring / Kindness
• Forgiveness / Compassion
• Empathy
• Self Esteem / Self Confidence