--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Emotions were never the most important…" description: "\"Emotions were never the most important thing when I was at school; it was all about academics and this constant performance of pretending that you're o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg" --- # Emotions were never the most important thing when I was at… ![“Emotions were never the most important thing when I was at school; it was all about academics and this constant performance of pretending that you're okay and getting on with life.” quote by Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg) > “Emotions were never the most important thing when I was at school; it was all about academics and this constant performance of pretending that you're okay and getting on with life.” [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. School prioritized academics over emotions, forcing a performance of normalcy. **In simple terms:** School forced emotional suppression. Key Takeaway Value emotional well‑being. Themes mental health education authenticity Mood reflective empathetic Type critical inspirational When to use this quote - classroom environment - student support - parental expectations - peer pressure Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How did you cope with emotional suppression? - What changes could schools make? A Different Perspective It may not reflect all school experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Academics Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/academics-constant-3139173/) [Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) [Emotions Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions-important-808862/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) [Pretending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretending/) [Pretending Okay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretending-okay-1228062/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) ## Related quotes > [I'm pretending I'm okay. Trying to forget that one day I'm going to lose that one thing I fear to live without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shadow/i-m-pretending-i-m-okay-trying-to-forget-that-one-day-i-m-going-to/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shadow/) > [When you've been hiding your feelings for so long and pretending everything is okay, it just becomes second nature to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-ve-been-hiding-your-feelings-for-so-long-and-pretending/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are so programmed to feel that our emotions are the most important thing in the Universe...We write, produce and act in the story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-are-so-programmed-to-feel-that-our-emotions-are-the-most-important/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) > [Doctors have been exposed-you always will be exposed-to the attacks of those persons who consider their own undisciplined emotions more important than the world's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/doctors-have-been-exposed-you-always-will-be-exposed-to-the-attacks/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [To balance and take control of our emotions is one of the most important tasks in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troublemaker/to-balance-and-take-control-of-our-emotions-is-one-of-the-most/) [Troublemaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troublemaker/) > [“On Love and Happiness: Happiness is created within us. It flourishes in emotions, the very important human emotions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katerina-kostaki/on-love-and-happiness-happiness-is-created-within-us-it-flourishes-in/) [Katerina Kostaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katerina-kostaki/) > [“When you look at a tree in a storm, you see that the top of the tree is very unstable and vulnerable. The wind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/when-you-look-at-a-tree-in-a-storm-you-see-that-the-top-of-the-tree/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [Sometimes emotions are more important than rationality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-bizzarri/sometimes-emotions-are-more-important-than-rationality/) [Marco Bizzarri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-bizzarri/) > [As important as politics are to me, the life and the spirit of people's emotions are much more important. People live real lives where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-darnielle/as-important-as-politics-are-to-me-the-life-and-the-spirit-of-people/) [John Darnielle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-darnielle/) > [I am not minimizing emotions. Emotions are an important part of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/i-am-not-minimizing-emotions-emotions-are-an-important-part-of-life/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [Whether you win a match or lose a match, in terms of your emotions, it's important to be pretty levelheaded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/whether-you-win-a-match-or-lose-a-match-in-terms-of-your-emotions-it/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [Pretending you are okay is one way of showing people that you are strong, even though everything just tears you apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/pretending-you-are-okay-is-one-way-of-showing-people-that-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Even when emotions seem to overtake life, such as when we are depressed or anxious or angry, it is important to remember that those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lane-pederson/even-when-emotions-seem-to-overtake-life-such-as-when-we-are/) [Lane Pederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lane-pederson/) > [Is That A Fake Smile? Take it down. Now. stop pretending you're okay. Don't hide behind a mask. If you need to cry today;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/is-that-a-fake-smile-take-it-down-now-stop-pretending-you-re-okay-don/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [Writers can express ideas and emotions that are important to them but have no other means of expression. Some of these ideas may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stableford/writers-can-express-ideas-and-emotions-that-are-important-to-them-but/) [Brian Stableford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stableford/) ## More by Adwoa Aboah > [I know what my causes are. And I care about them, so I'd rather get out there and talk about them than just play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-know-what-my-causes-are-and-i-care-about-them-so-i-d-rather-get-out/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [I think losing out on jobs and, you know, being judged on your appearance... I definitely grew a second skin and got used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-think-losing-out-on-jobs-and-you-know-being-judged-on-your/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [I wish I could be good at gymnastics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-wish-i-could-be-good-at-gymnastics/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [In 2017, there is more than one way to be beautiful and more than one way to be cool. And when you put an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/in-2017-there-is-more-than-one-way-to-be-beautiful-and-more-than-one/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [Mental health isn't all of me, but it's a massive part of my journey and a massive part of my whole being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/mental-health-isn-t-all-of-me-but-it-s-a-massive-part-of-my-journey/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [Gurls Talk is my baby. It's just about opening up a space within schools where we as women and girls can talk about whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/gurls-talk-is-my-baby-it-s-just-about-opening-up-a-space-within/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [My dream actress to work with would be Amy Adams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/my-dream-actress-to-work-with-would-be-amy-adams/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [School was unbelievably painful. It was five years of being pretty sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/school-was-unbelievably-painful-it-was-five-years-of-being-pretty-sad/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [I went to a school where the girls that were found attractive were the complete opposite to me. I judged my worth on how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-went-to-a-school-where-the-girls-that-were-found-attractive-were/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [It has to be something people prioritize - it should be the number-one priority: representing all types of beauty, all types of shapes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/it-has-to-be-something-people-prioritize-it-should-be-the-number-one/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [A sexy selfie can be incredibly empowering - but remember that, while a Snapchat message might expire, nothing on the Internet truly disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/a-sexy-selfie-can-be-incredibly-empowering-but-remember-that-while-a/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [One of my aunties inspires me beause of how easily she shows her emotions, and she isn't ever afraid to cry. My mum, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/one-of-my-aunties-inspires-me-beause-of-how-easily-she-shows-her/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [I wear trainers everywhere. Weddings, parties, definitely red carpets and fashion events. It's bad. And listen, I love shoes. I love high heels. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-wear-trainers-everywhere-weddings-parties-definitely-red-carpets/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [I've got a lot of jewellery that I love - whether it costs a pound or whatever, it's all precious to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-ve-got-a-lot-of-jewellery-that-i-love-whether-it-costs-a-pound-or/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) > [I've learned to appreciate looking unique and not having long, blond locks... at last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/i-ve-learned-to-appreciate-looking-unique-and-not-having-long-blond/) [Adwoa Aboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) [Explore all 78 Adwoa Aboah quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/) ## More Emotions quotes > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don't have the opportunity to live. You don't want to die for love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvie-guillem/on-stage-you-can-bring-all-those-strong-emotions-that-you-don-t-have/) [Sylvie Guillem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvie-guillem/) > [You will never fully understand how much you mean to me, because there are no amount of words that can begin to describe my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-fully-understand-how-much-you-mean-to-me-because-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) [Marlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlin/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mind has trouble processing all the emotions I feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mind-has-trouble-processing-all-the-emotions-i-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/its-a-lack-of-clarity-that-creates-chaos-and-frustration-those/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [“When love carries us away on its brittle wings, we are too intoxicated to comprehend its power. We just want to soar and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/balroop-singh/when-love-carries-us-away-on-its-brittle-wings-we-are-too-intoxicated/) [Balroop Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/balroop-singh/) > [God, help me to focus on Truth instead of the trial. Help me to give thanks instead of giving into fear. Help me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-daugherty/god-help-me-to-focus-on-truth-instead-of-the-trial-help-me-to-give/) [Whitney Daugherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-daugherty/) > [Love is an ocean of emotions entirely sorrounded by expensee..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-an-ocean-of-emotions-entirely-sorrounded-by-expensee/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I grew up in a blue-collar neighborhood and was raised by a man who did not emote, ever... I always cry at movies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-quick/i-grew-up-in-a-blue-collar-neighborhood-and-was-raised-by-a-man-who/) [Matthew Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-quick/) [Browse all 4,415 Emotions quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotions/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Emotions were never the most important thing when I was at school; it was all about academics and this constant performance of pretending that you're okay and getting on with life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Adwoa Aboah" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/emotions-were-never-the-most-important-thing-when-i-was-at-school-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Emotions" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/emotions-were-never-the-most-important-thing-when-i-was-at-school-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32b/adwoa-aboah-8784_emotions_emotions-were-never-the-most-important-t_1947357.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Emotions were never the most important thing when I was at school; it was all about academics and this…” — Adwoa Aboah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Adwoa Aboah", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adwoa-aboah/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Emotions were never the most important...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/emotions-were-never-the-most-important-thing-when-i-was-at-school-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adwoa-aboah/emotions-were-never-the-most-important-thing-when-i-was-at-school-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```