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I don’t want to admit it, but the truth is that stillness…

“I don’t want to admit it, but the truth is that stillness used to be very anxiety provoking for me. In my mind, being still was narrowly defined as sitting cross-legged on the floor and focusing on that elusive nothingness. As I collected and analyzed more stories, I realized that my initial…” quote by Brené Brown
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““I don’t want to admit it, but the truth is that stillness used to be very anxiety provoking for me. In my mind, being still was narrowly defined as sitting cross-legged on the floor and focusing on that elusive nothingness. As I collected and analyzed more stories, I realized that my initial thinking was wrong. Here’s the definition of stillness that emerged from the data: Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating a clearing. It’s opening up an emotionally clutter-free space and allowing ourselves to feel and think and dream and question.””

Brené Brown

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Stillness is a mental space cleared of emotional clutter, allowing authentic feeling, thinking, dreaming, and questioning.

In simple terms: Clear your mind to feel and think freely.

Key Takeaway

Create mental space for authentic experience.

Themes

mindfulness self‑awareness growth vulnerability

Mood

reflective calm

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • meditation
  • creative work
  • therapy
  • decision making

Key Concepts

psychology emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you differentiate productive stillness from avoidance?
  • What practices help maintain a clear mental space?
A Different Perspective

Stillness can be mistaken for inactivity, leading to missed opportunities.

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