I used to try to be cool. I said things that I didn't…
““I used to try to be cool. I said things that I didn't believe about other people, and celebrities, and myself; I wrote mean jokes for cheap, "edgy" laughs; I neglected good friendships for shallow ones; I insisted I wasn't a feminist; I nodded along with casual misogyny in hopes that shitty dudes would like me. I thought I was immune to its woo-woo power, but if it hadn't been for menses tent, how long would it have taken me to understand that I get to choose what kind of person to be? Open or closed? Generous or cruel? Spirit jaguar or clinging ghost? A lazy writer (it's easy to hate things) or a versatile one? I don't believe in an afterlife. We live and then we stop living. We exist and then we stop existing. That means I only get one chance to do a good job. I want to do a good job.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author reflects on past inauthentic behavior, recognizing how societal pressures shaped harmful actions, and emphasizes the power of conscious choice in defining one’s character.
In simple terms: She learned that personal growth comes from choosing kindness and authenticity over harmful trends.
Key Takeaway
Choose kindness and authenticity; reject harmful social scripts.
Themes
growth
authenticity
choice
social critique
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- social activism
- creative writing
- friendship building
Key Concepts
psychology
feminism
ethical development
Questions to Reflect On
- What choices define your true self?
- How can you resist harmful social expectations?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may overlook systemic factors influencing behavior.