Next day Quote by Ally Condie
““After Lunch I sat outside and I saw the boy on the bike ride by again, and he didn't see me that time either. And he still had on the same clothes and he still looked happy. Next day, same thing all over again. Boy, bike, clothes, happy. In my family we never call people names because sometimes people used to call Ben names and we all hated that. When he was younger he didn't notice so much, but when he was nine, the year he died, he noticed every single time. You'd see his eyes flicker. He'd take it in. And then who knew what he'd do with it. Or how it made him feel. Here is something bad about me. I call people names in my head sometimes. I don't do it to be mean. I do it to label. But I know names-to-label are bad too. Names-to-be-mean are worse, but both are bad. Here's the name I called the boy in my head: Nerd-on-a-Bike.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Last Girl on Earth” by Ally Condie, 2017
Observing a boy’s repeated happiness highlights how simple moments persist, while internal labeling can harm self‑perception.
In simple terms: Repeated simple joys exist; labeling thoughts can be harmful.
Key Takeaway
Notice small joys and avoid harsh self‑labels.
Themes
mindfulness
self‑talk
perception
Mood
thoughtful
calming
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- daily observations
- mental health
- personal growth
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
habit formation
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you catch and replace harmful labels?
- What small moments bring you joy?
A Different Perspective
Self‑labeling can reinforce negative identity.
