In my opinion, most of us have not been taught how to be…
““In my opinion, most of us have not been taught how to be responsible for our thoughts and feelings. I see this strongly in the widespread tendency to read books and stories as if they exist to confirm how we are supposed to be, think, and feel. I'm not talking about wacky political correctness, I'm talking mainstream… Ladies and gentlemen, please. Stop asking, "What am I supposed to feel?" Why would an adult look to me or any other writer to tell him or her what to feel? You're not supposed to feel anything. You feel what you feel. Where you go with it is your responsibility. If a writer chooses to aggressively let you know what he or she feels, where you go with it is still your responsibility.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advocates personal ownership of emotions and thoughts, rejecting external dictation of feelings
In simple terms: Own your feelings and thoughts
Key Takeaway
Take responsibility for your emotional life
Themes
self‑awareness
responsibility
authenticity
Mood
thoughtful
challenging
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- creative writing workshops
- personal journaling
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
Emotional intelligence
psychology
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between feeling and being influenced?
- What practices help you claim responsibility for your emotions?
A Different Perspective
Some may view this as dismissing the value of shared cultural narratives