---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's like a big circle. I've gone on a…"
description: "\"“It's like a big circle. I've gone on a get-a-man crusade, but so far it's been a disaster and I'm feeling as bad about myself as I ever have. I know I..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/ann-patchett-670_bottom-of-the-barrel_it-s-like-a-big-circle-i-ve-gone-on-a-ge_789981.jpg"
---

#  It's like a big circle. I've gone on a get-a-man crusade…

![“It's like a big circle. I've gone on a get-a-man crusade, but so far it's been a disaster and I'm feeling as bad about myself as I ever have. I know I'm a great person and all that, a good friend, but I feel like real bottom of the barrel girlfriend material.” quote by Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/ann-patchett-670_bottom-of-the-barrel_it-s-like-a-big-circle-i-ve-gone-on-a-ge_789981.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/ann-patchett-670_bottom-of-the-barrel_it-s-like-a-big-circle-i-ve-gone-on-a-ge_789981.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/ann-patchett-670_bottom-of-the-barrel_it-s-like-a-big-circle-i-ve-gone-on-a-ge_789981.jpg)

> ““It's like a big circle. I've gone on a get-a-man crusade, but so far it's been a disaster and I'm feeling as bad about myself as I ever have. I know I'm a great person and all that, a good friend, but I feel like real bottom of the barrel girlfriend material.””

[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The narrator feels self‑doubt despite acknowledging personal strengths, fearing inadequacy in relationships.

**In simple terms:** Self‑doubt can persist despite achievements.

Key Takeaway

Recognize worth and seek supportive connections.

Themes

self‑esteem relationships identity

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

personal psychological

When to use this quote

- dating
- friendship
- career networking
- personal growth

Key Concepts

Psychology self‑compassion

Questions to Reflect On

- What evidence counters your negative self‑view?
- How can you nurture healthier relationships?

A Different Perspective

Self‑criticism may hinder progress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bottom of the barrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom-of-the-barrel/) [Feeling bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-bad/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Good friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-friend/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Self worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-worth/)

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> [I like film books at the bottom of the barrel and art books at the top. 'The Ghastly One,' by Jimmy McDonough, is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-like-film-books-at-the-bottom-of-the-barrel-and-art-books-at-the/)

[John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/)

> [You never get quite down to the bottom of the barrel, but we are much higher than that at the present time. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/you-never-get-quite-down-to-the-bottom-of-the-barrel-but-we-are-much/)

[Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/)

> [Wife number four destroyed me absolutely: took me down to the bottom of the barrel because I had three kids with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorenzo-lamas/wife-number-four-destroyed-me-absolutely-took-me-down-to-the-bottom/)

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[Kim Basinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-basinger/)

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> [I haven't been approached to do a 'Doctor Who' movie. I think they would be scraping the bottom of the barrel if they asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-baker/i-haven-t-been-approached-to-do-a-doctor-who-movie-i-think-they-would/)

[Colin Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-baker/)

## More by Ann Patchett

> [She sang as if she was saving the life of every person in the room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/she-sang-as-if-she-was-saving-the-life-of-every-person-in-the-room/)

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[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

> [I can't write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/i-can-t-write-the-book-i-want-to-write-but-i-can-and-will-write-the/)

[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

> [“Without worry to protect me, every thought that came into my mind received real attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/without-worry-to-protect-me-every-thought-that-came-into-my-mind/)

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[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

> [“In the future, he will try to say her name enough, but he never can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/in-the-future-he-will-try-to-say-her-name-enough-but-he-never-can/)

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[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

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[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

[Explore all 413 Ann Patchett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

## More Bottom of the barrel quotes

> [I like film books at the bottom of the barrel and art books at the top. 'The Ghastly One,' by Jimmy McDonough, is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-like-film-books-at-the-bottom-of-the-barrel-and-art-books-at-the/)

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[Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/)

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[Carmen Carrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-carrera/)

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[Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/)

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[Charles Beaumont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-beaumont/)

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[Colin Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-baker/)

> [I think the bottom of the barrel is where the answers are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-eaglesmith/i-think-the-bottom-of-the-barrel-is-where-the-answers-are/)

[Fred Eaglesmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-eaglesmith/)

> [With writing a song, I've always felt, right from the start, like I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel. I don't ever feel there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/with-writing-a-song-i-ve-always-felt-right-from-the-start-like-i-m/)

[Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/)

[Browse all 19 Bottom of the barrel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom-of-the-barrel/)

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