--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In reality, thousands of years of…" description: "\"“In reality, thousands of years of instinct kicked in. Your forebrain shuts down and a second later you’re running down a dark alley like a gazelle in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/annie-nicholas-37594_instinct_in-reality-thousands-of-years-of-instinc_394729.jpg" --- # In reality, thousands of years of instinct kicked in. Your… ![“In reality, thousands of years of instinct kicked in. Your forebrain shuts down and a second later you’re running down a dark alley like a gazelle in three-inch” quote by Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/annie-nicholas-37594_instinct_in-reality-thousands-of-years-of-instinc_394729.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/annie-nicholas-37594_instinct_in-reality-thousands-of-years-of-instinc_394729.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf8/annie-nicholas-37594_instinct_in-reality-thousands-of-years-of-instinc_394729.jpg) > ““In reality, thousands of years of instinct kicked in. Your forebrain shuts down and a second later you’re running down a dark alley like a gazelle in three-inch”” [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Instinctive responses can override rational thought in high‑stress moments, leading to rapid, animal‑like actions. **In simple terms:** Instinct can take over when you’re scared. Key Takeaway Recognize when fear drives decisions. Themes stress instinct decision‑making Mood anxious alert Type motivational cautionary When to use this quote - emergency situations - public speaking - sports competition Key Concepts fight‑or‑flight cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What situations trigger your instinctive reactions? - How can you balance instinct with reason? A Different Perspective Relying solely on instinct may cause reckless choices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) ## Related quotes > [“Amazing what humans could do to one another when their survival instinct kicked in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-m-hough/amazing-what-humans-could-do-to-one-another-when-their-survival/) [Jason M. Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-m-hough/) > [There was the natural human survival instinct to be optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-demick/there-was-the-natural-human-survival-instinct-to-be-optimistic/) [Barbara Demick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-demick/) > [All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/all-men-have-an-instinct-for-conflict-at-least-all-healthy-men/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-never-been-a-quitter-to-leave-office-before-my-term-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [A man may quarrel with himself alone; that is, by controverting his better instincts and knowledge when brought face to face with temptation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/a-man-may-quarrel-with-himself-alone-that-is-by-controverting-his/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [You have to follow your instinct, and that's what I've tried to do all my life, whether in music or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erol-alkan/you-have-to-follow-your-instinct-and-that-s-what-i-ve-tried-to-do-all/) [Erol Alkan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erol-alkan/) > [How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved-each-other-they-had-simply/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [As a kid, in the Runaways, I would see the interviewers start to ask about our personal lives and what we did — and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/as-a-kid-in-the-runaways-i-would-see-the-interviewers-start-to-ask/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [The dog is guided by kindly instinct to the man or woman whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [You don't think. It's all instinct. If you stop to think, you're gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/you-don-t-think-it-s-all-instinct-if-you-stop-to-think-you-re-gone/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-be-myself-for-good-or-ill-and-see-what/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/imitation-is-the-first-instinct-of-the-awakening-mind/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) ## More by Annie Nicholas > [“Holy conspiracies, Batman!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/holy-conspiracies-batman/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“I should have killed you then. My mistake.” Pallas grinned. “Let me fix that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/i-should-have-killed-you-then-my-mistake-pallas-grinned-let-me-fix/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“You’re going to live longer than you expected, and bad things are bound to happen. Let them bounce off you. Grieve, cry, fight whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/you-re-going-to-live-longer-than-you-expected-and-bad-things-are/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [I don't know why a Girl will have more than one boyfriend, and call it ''GAME''.. Girl you are a BITCH!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/i-don-t-know-why-a-girl-will-have-more-than-one-boyfriend-and-call-it/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“The sensuous ache only deepened as he stared at her. He placed his hands behind his head. “Make me howl then. I dare you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/the-sensuous-ache-only-deepened-as-he-stared-at-her-he-placed-his/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“Love was just a word until someone expressed it with a gesture.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/love-was-just-a-word-until-someone-expressed-it-with-a-gesture/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“Diplomacy was not one of Susan's character flaws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/diplomacy-was-not-one-of-susan-s-character-flaws/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [Never let a girl think she has a chance when you know she doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/never-let-a-girl-think-she-has-a-chance-when-you-know-she-doesn-t/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [Date a guy with a planned future. And not a guy with an Instagram swag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/date-a-guy-with-a-planned-future-and-not-a-guy-with-an-instagram-swag/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“The tiger and lion may be more powerful but the wolf does not perform in the circus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/the-tiger-and-lion-may-be-more-powerful-but-the-wolf-does-not-perform/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) > [“granny-humping butt sucker!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-nicholas/granny-humping-butt-sucker/) [Annie Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) [Explore all 12 Annie Nicholas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-nicholas/) ## More Instinct quotes > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Imitation is the first instinct of the awakening mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/imitation-is-the-first-instinct-of-the-awakening-mind/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-will-follow-my-instincts-be-myself-for-good-or-ill-and-see-what/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [You don't think. It's all instinct. If you stop to think, you're gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-robinson/you-don-t-think-it-s-all-instinct-if-you-stop-to-think-you-re-gone/) [Sugar Ray Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-robinson/) > [The dog is guided by kindly instinct to the man or woman whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [As a kid, in the Runaways, I would see the interviewers start to ask about our personal lives and what we did — and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-jett/as-a-kid-in-the-runaways-i-would-see-the-interviewers-start-to-ask/) [Joan Jett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-jett/) > [How could they say that they truly loved each other? They had simply grown up together, been children together, and the proximity of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-guterson/how-could-they-say-that-they-truly-loved-each-other-they-had-simply/) [David Guterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-guterson/) > [You have to follow your instinct, and that's what I've tried to do all my life, whether in music or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erol-alkan/you-have-to-follow-your-instinct-and-that-s-what-i-ve-tried-to-do-all/) [Erol Alkan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erol-alkan/) > [A man may quarrel with himself alone; that is, by controverting his better instincts and knowledge when brought face to face with temptation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/a-man-may-quarrel-with-himself-alone-that-is-by-controverting-his/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-never-been-a-quitter-to-leave-office-before-my-term-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/all-men-have-an-instinct-for-conflict-at-least-all-healthy-men/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [There was the natural human survival instinct to be optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-demick/there-was-the-natural-human-survival-instinct-to-be-optimistic/) [Barbara Demick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-demick/) > [The combative instinct is a savage prompting by which one man's good is found in another's evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/the-combative-instinct-is-a-savage-prompting-by-which-one-man-s-good/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) [Browse all 2,940 Instinct quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In reality, thousands of years of instinct kicked in. 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