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I learned that there is a type of pain in life that I want…

“I learned that there is a type of pain in life that I want to feel. It's the inevitable, excruiating, necessary pain of losing beautiful things: trust, dreams, health, animals, relationships, people. This kind of pain is the price of love, the cost of living a brave openhearted life – and I'll pay…” quote by Glennon Doyle
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““I learned that there is a type of pain in life that I want to feel. It's the inevitable, excruiating, necessary pain of losing beautiful things: trust, dreams, health, animals, relationships, people. This kind of pain is the price of love, the cost of living a brave openhearted life – and I'll pay it. There is another kind of pain that comes not from losing beautiful things but from never even trying for them. [...] It's the pain of a woman who has slowly abandoned herself.””

Glennon Doyle

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 reflects that deep, unavoidable sorrow from losing cherished things is a necessary cost of loving fully, and that avoiding any attempt at love brings its own pain.

In simple terms: Losing love causes pain; avoiding love also hurts.

Key Takeaway

Embrace love despite inevitable loss.

Themes

love loss bravery heart growth

Mood

melancholic hopeful reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • personal growth
  • grieving
  • self‑care
  • creative pursuits

Key Concepts

existential emotional psychological resilience acceptance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What loss have you resisted fearing?
  • How can you honor pain while staying open?
A Different Perspective

Pain from loss can be overwhelming and may deter people from forming deep bonds.

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