Children Quote by Amanda Palmer
““i carried the child for six hours on a big jet plane to the other side of the country, where he is going to spend the next few weeks meeting his extended west coast tribe. i am not working here. it is hard. when I delve into despair, remind me that it is fine that i'm not working or touring and that i am a fucking new mother who is allowed to take six months off to nurse and cuddle a baby. my good friend Andrew O'Neill once told me something about our mutual hero Henry Rollins. Henry, he said, takes an inhale year (reading, learning, traveling, absorbing) and then an exhale year (touring, working, speaking, art-assaulting). if I ask you, please. remind me. this is an inhale year. this is an inhale year. over and out.””
About This Quote
Source Podcast: The Art of Asking, 2018
A new mother frames her year as a period of learning and growth, needing validation for non‑productive time.
In simple terms: She seeks reassurance that taking time off is okay.
Key Takeaway
Accept and honor periods of rest and learning.
Themes
parenthood
work‑life balance
self‑compassion
growth
validation
Mood
introspective
empathetic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- New mother
- creative sabbatical
- career pause
- seeking support
Key Concepts
Cycle of inhale (learning) and exhale (producing)
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- What does an “inhale year” look like for you?
- How can you protect your creative cycles?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressure to stay constantly productive.
