We can all recall as children wanting things that our parents denied us. Yet, after being denied it, we still wanted it. It is a modern, common affliction. It’s that nagging feeling that we should do more travel more and have more.

It takes only a few clicks to start a midlife crisis on Instagram. You’ll be left wondering what you’re doing to yourself when so many others seem to have the “perfect” time.

Suppose your career isn’t fulfilling your potential or wondering why you spend so much time at work while others are traveling. If you feel the grass is greener or believe that your career is not fulfilling your potential, these Quotes About Wanting What You Can’t Have can help you succeed.

Reason Why We Want What We Cannot Have

“Wanting what you can’t have” is a universal experience that many people can relate to. It can be frustrating to desire something that is out of reach or unattainable, but it can also add an element of excitement to life.

Throughout history, people have expressed their thoughts and feelings about this phenomenon in a variety of ways, including through quotes. These quotes offer perspectives on the human condition and the emotions that come with wanting something that is just beyond our grasp.

Whether it’s a romantic partner, a dream job, or a new experience, these quotes capture the complexities of wanting what you can’t have and offer insights into our desires, motivations, and limitations.

Best Quotes About Wanting What You Can’t Have

1. Change your perspective.

When you can’t have what you want, it’s time to start wanting what you have. — Kathleen A Sutton

2. Hard realizations

Just because I don’t talk to you, it doesn’t mean I still don’t think about you. I’m just distancing myself because I know I can’t have YOU. — Unknown

3. These attachments

Sometimes someone comes into your life that changes everything. Raises the standards, makes you laugh and makes you feel like you. There is something about him that you can’t put into words and even though you’re not with him, you don’t want to let him go. — Unknown

4. Everything happens for reasons.

Sometimes, you just can’t get what you want, but it doesn’t mean that you can never have it. Everything takes place at the right time. — Unknown

5. These things will eventually make their way into your daily life.

You can close your eyes to things you don’t want to see but you can’t close your heart to things you don’t want to feel. — Unknown

6. Feelings and thoughts that overwhelm.

“…it’s all too much and not enough at the same time.” — Jack Kerouac

7. It’s so hard to believe.

Admit it, you want someone you can’t have. — Unknown

8. Everyone wants happiness to some degree.

I just want to make you happy. Because you’re the reason that I’m so happy. — Unknown

9. Sometimes secrets are essential.

Some of the best moments in life are the ones you can’t tell anyone about. — Unknown

10. A strange complex.

You can have anything you want in life, you just can’t have everything you want. — Peter Mc Williams

11. Self-love and self-love are key.

Baby, love yourself like you’re not waiting for someone else to do it. — Unknown

12. You can’t have it all.

Can’t deny that I want you, but I’ll lie if I have to. — Unknown

13. It’s so close yet so far.

The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can’t have them. — Unknown

14. When it comes to feelings, it’s difficult to declare a winner.

Every thought is a battle, every breath is a war, and I don’t think I’m winning anymore. — Unknown

15. This doesn’t necessarily mean that I don’t.

My heart tells me this is the best and greatest feeling I have ever had, but my mind knows the difference between wanting what you can’t have and wanting what you shouldn’t want. And I shouldn’t want you. — Unknown

16. He will do the work if he truly cares.

If he misses you, he’ll call. If he wants you, he’ll say it. If he cares, he’ll show it. And if not, he can’t be worth your time. — Unknown

17. It is unlike anything else to show your love for another person.

I want to show him that he has not been loved before. I want him to feel, with one kiss, how I can make love to his soul for eternity. — Unknown

18. Is heartbreak worth it?

Desire leaves us heartbroken; it wears us out. But as tough as wanting something can be, the ones who suffer the most are those who don’t know what they want. – Unknown

19. You can’t ask for more than a loving family.

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there. — Unknown

20. If they love you, they won’t get bored of you.

You’ll never be too much for someone who can’t get enough of you. — Unknown

21. Accept it, and then move on.

Take life day by day and be grateful for the little things don’t get caught up in what you can’t control, accept it and make the best of it. — Unknown

22. This is a lot of thought.

If every time I thought of you, a star fell, well, the sky would be empty. — Unknown

23. Unconditional love.

In an endless garden of flowers, I will always pick you. — A.J. Lawless

24. Keep believing in that possibility.

Even though I miss you right now, know that you will come back to me. — Unknown

25. One day, someone will.

Sometimes I sit alone under the stars and think of the galaxies inside my heart and truly wonder if anyone will ever want to make sense of all that I am. — Unknown

26. Desire can have more negative than positive effects

Too often, the thing you want most is the one thing you can’t have. Desire leaves us heartbroken; it wears us out. Desire can wreck your life. But as tough as wanting something can be, the people who suffer the most are those who don’t know what they want. — Meredith Grey. Grey’s Anatomy

27. You must be willing to work hard.

You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need. — The Rolling Stones

28. Money can’t buy everything.

You may be rich, but there is one thing you can’t afford – that is, if you are a good sort – you can’t afford to spend money on your own luxuries while there are people around you wanting the necessities of life. — Robert Baden-Powell

29. Wanting isn’t always positive.

Something is wanting, and something must be done, or we shall be involved in all the horror of failure, and civil war without a prospect of its termination. — Henry Knox

30 You must put in the effort.

Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way. — Les Brown

31. Boredom is not worth it.

I’m considered wise, and sometimes I see myself as knowing. Most of the time, I see myself as wanting to know. And I see myself as a very interested person. I’ve never been bored in my life. — Maya Angelou

32 Passion drives many things in life.

It seems like when I was growing up there was more compromise, wanting to work with each other, and I think all of them – all the lawmakers – have hearts to do what’s right, and they all are passionate about it. — Joel Osteen

33. It is difficult to keep things inside.

I’m hiding what I’m feeling but I’m tired of holding this inside my head. — Unknown

34 It’s more exciting when it is secret.

I think we’re just gonna have to be secretly in love with each other and leave it at that. — Unknown

35. Now you don’t have to pray anymore.

I still remember the days I prayed for the thing I have now. — Unknown

36. It must be a reciprocal relationship.

If you ignore me, I will ignore you. If you don’t start the conversation, we won’t talk. If you don’t put in the effort, why should I? — Unknown

37. You’ll find the answers you need in either way.

Sometimes you just need to distance yourself from people. If they care, they’ll notice. If they don’t, you know where you stand. — Unknown

38. Laughter always changes the mood.

The most wanted of all days is one without laughter. — E.E. Cummings

39. Be your own role model.

I never had a role model. I ended up wanting to be the best version of myself. — Kubra Sait

40 It’s not easy.

Honest feelings and bad timing make the most painful combination. — Unknown

Other You Can’t Have Everything Quotes

You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it. — Robert Anthony

You just want something else that someone else has, but that doesn’t mean what you have isn’t beautiful, because people always want what you have, and you always want what they have – no one is ever 100 percent like, “yes, I’m the bomb dot com – from head to toe!” — Rihanna

Sometimes, you just can’t have what you want, but it doesn’t mean that you can never have it. Everything takes place at the right time. — Unknown

If you tell me I can’t have something then that just makes me want it more. — Anna Benson

If you want something you’ve never had, then you’re got to do something you’ve never done. — Unknown

If I can’t have what I want, let me want what I have. — Unknown

I wasn’t much of a petty thief. I wanted the whole world or nothing. — Charles Bukowski

It wasn’t as if she’d thought it through or anything, how what a person wanted wasn’t always what they needed, and what a person needed might be the last thing they could ever want. ― Shannon Celebi, Small Town Demons

Paroxysms of pain and twinges of desire leach from universal sources. All human suffering buttons itself to the pang of wanting. ― Kilroy J. Oldster, Dead Toad Scrolls

When I say to the moment flying…linger a while-thou art so fair” – Faust ― Antonia Michaelis, The Storyteller

But here’s the sorry truth — if you really don’t want a thing, you don’t have to keep telling yourself so. ― Joe Abercrombie, The Wisdom of Crowds

FAQs about Quotes About Wanting What You Can’t Have

How do you stop wanting what you can’t have?

There is no surefire way to stop wanting what you can’t have, but some things may help. One approach is to reframe your thinking. Instead of focusing on what you cannot have, try to focus on what you can have. Another approach is to distract yourself from your desires. Find something else to focus your attention on so that you are not constantly thinking about what you want. Finally, you can accept that you cannot have what you want and move on.

What is it called when you want what you can’t have?

It’s called desire.

Why do humans want what they cant have?

Some people may want what they can’t have because it seems unattainable, or they may view it as a challenge. Others may be drawn to things different from what they already have. It also means that other people must have it, making the person feel special.

What do humans want most in life?

There is no universal answer to this question, as what humans want most in life varies from individual to individual. However, people commonly want happiness, love, meaning and purpose, companionship, success, and a sense of accomplishment.

Conclusion

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut and wanting something more out of life, these quotes can help inspire you to change. Don’t let yourself stay stuck in a situation that isn’t making you happy – change and go after what you want in life!