--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's something not normal about you if…" description: "\"There's something not normal about you if you're writing a book about yourself, or about anything. And if you're the kind of person who can deal with b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/anthony-bourdain-649_about-yourself_there-s-something-not-normal-about-you-i_1829995.jpg" --- # There's something not normal about you if you're writing a… ![“There's something not normal about you if you're writing a book about yourself, or about anything. And if you're the kind of person who can deal with being recognized by strangers and if that's tolerable or pleasing to you, and not immediately terrifying, that's not normal either.” quote by Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/anthony-bourdain-649_about-yourself_there-s-something-not-normal-about-you-i_1829995.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/anthony-bourdain-649_about-yourself_there-s-something-not-normal-about-you-i_1829995.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/anthony-bourdain-649_about-yourself_there-s-something-not-normal-about-you-i_1829995.jpg) > “There's something not normal about you if you're writing a book about yourself, or about anything. And if you're the kind of person who can deal with being recognized by strangers and if that's tolerable or pleasing to you, and not immediately terrifying, that's not normal either.” [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑portrait writing can feel abnormal because it exposes personal vulnerability, yet it can also be rewarding if the author tolerates public scrutiny. **In simple terms:** Writing about yourself feels odd but can be rewarding. Key Takeaway Balance honesty with privacy. Themes self‑awareness vulnerability authenticity Mood reflective introspective Type literary motivational When to use this quote - memoir writing - personal blogging - public speaking - therapy sessions Key Concepts psychology creative expression Questions to Reflect On - Why do we fear sharing our stories? - How can we protect ourselves while being authentic? A Different Perspective Self‑exposure can invite unwanted judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about-yourself/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Normal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal/) [Normal Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal-writing-2265392/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Recognized Strangers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognized-strangers-2265394/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Strangers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strangers/) [Strangers Tolerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strangers-tolerable-2265393/) [Terrifying Normal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrifying-normal-2265391/) [Tolerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerable/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing a book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-a-book/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes limbo is a tolerable place to be stuck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-boyd/sometimes-limbo-is-a-tolerable-place-to-be-stuck/) [William Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-boyd/) > [I have spent too long with too many people who have lost loved ones to healthcare-associated infections not to be determined to act on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/i-have-spent-too-long-with-too-many-people-who-have-lost-loved-ones/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) > [Science says: 'We must live,' and seeks the means of prolonging, increasing, facilitating and amplifying life, of making it tolerable and acceptable, wisdom says:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/science-says-we-must-live-and-seeks-the-means-of-prolonging/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [The fact that the world is utterly insane makes it tolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-morris/the-fact-that-the-world-is-utterly-insane-makes-it-tolerable/) [Errol Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-morris/) > [You know what's the most terrifying thing about admitting that you're in love? 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He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [it is the brevity of life which makes it tolerable; its experiences have value because they have an end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-holtby/it-is-the-brevity-of-life-which-makes-it-tolerable-its-experiences/) [Winifred Holtby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-holtby/) > [But if it's tolerable mediocrity, and you're like, 'Well, you know it could be worse. At least I'm getting paid.' Then you wind up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/but-if-it-s-tolerable-mediocrity-and-you-re-like-well-you-know-it/) [Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/) ## More by Anthony Bourdain > [Everything important I learned, I learned as a dishwasher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/everything-important-i-learned-i-learned-as-a-dishwasher/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [ \[When I die\], I will decidedly not be regretting missed opportunities for a good time. My regrets will be more along the lines of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/when-i-die-i-will-decidedly-not-be-regretting-missed-opportunities/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [I'm at my most productive before I even have my first cup of coffee. I only get slower and stupider as the day progresses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-m-at-my-most-productive-before-i-even-have-my-first-cup-of-coffee-i/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [The Italians seem to have a better attitude with kids and the food is great!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/the-italians-seem-to-have-a-better-attitude-with-kids-and-the-food-is/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [Just because I like sushi, doesn't mean I can make sushi. I've come to well understand how many years just to get sushi rice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/just-because-i-like-sushi-doesn-t-mean-i-can-make-sushi-i-ve-come-to/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [At the end of the day, the TV show is the best job in the world. I get to go anywhere I want, eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/at-the-end-of-the-day-the-tv-show-is-the-best-job-in-the-world-i-get/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [I've sat in sushi bars, really fine ones, and I know how hard this guy worked, how proud he is. I know you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-ve-sat-in-sushi-bars-really-fine-ones-and-i-know-how-hard-this-guy/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [“What’s the most frightening thing to a child? The pain of being the outsider, of looking ridiculous to others, of being teased or picked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/what-s-the-most-frightening-thing-to-a-child-the-pain-of-being-the/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [“I saw how three or four ingredients, as long as they are of the highest and freshest quality, can be combined in a straightforward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-saw-how-three-or-four-ingredients-as-long-as-they-are-of-the/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [My mom had Julia Child and 'The Fannie Farmer Cookbook' on top of the refrigerator, and she had a small repertoire of French dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/my-mom-had-julia-child-and-the-fannie-farmer-cookbook-on-top-of-the/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [If you go to working class, and working poor areas of America, the food sources that are relegated to them are generally limited to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/if-you-go-to-working-class-and-working-poor-areas-of-america-the-food/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [You realize after you travel enough that there's some things that, no matter how good you are at making television, no matter how good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/you-realize-after-you-travel-enough-that-there-s-some-things-that-no/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [“Imagine… There’s a roast goose in Hong Kong—Mongkok, near the outskirts of the city, the place looks like any other. But you sink your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/imagine-there-s-a-roast-goose-in-hong-kong-mongkok-near-the-outskirts/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/if-i-m-an-advocate-for-anything-it-s-to-move-as-far-as-you-can-as/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [“The essence of cool, after all, is not giving a fuck. And let’s face it: I most definitely give a fuck now. I give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/the-essence-of-cool-after-all-is-not-giving-a-fuck-and-let-s-face-it/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) [Explore all 428 Anthony Bourdain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) ## More About yourself quotes > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupaul/if-you-can-t-love-yourself-how-in-the-hell-you-gonna-love-somebody/) [RuPaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupaul/) > [People are in denial all the time, hiding things. If I tell you a racist or dirty joke and you laugh, you're telling me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/people-are-in-denial-all-the-time-hiding-things-if-i-tell-you-a/) [Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Dreams really tell you about yourself more than anything else in this world could ever tell you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/dreams-really-tell-you-about-yourself-more-than-anything-else-in-this/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) > [Celebrate all the things you don't like about yourself. love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/celebrate-all-the-things-you-don-t-like-about-yourself-love-yourself/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [Start enjoying the things you like about yourself, and if there are things you want to change, either get to work on it or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benji-madden/start-enjoying-the-things-you-like-about-yourself-and-if-there-are/) [Benji Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benji-madden/) > [Always be yourself. There's only one you. You should embrace anything that you don't like about yourself because that's individual and that's you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesy-nelson/always-be-yourself-there-s-only-one-you-you-should-embrace-anything/) [Jesy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesy-nelson/) > [It's too distracting to read about yourself. You want to be perfect and you want everyone to love you, and that's never going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saoirse-ronan/it-s-too-distracting-to-read-about-yourself-you-want-to-be-perfect/) [Saoirse Ronan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saoirse-ronan/) > [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [The only thing a master can teach is how to learn about yourself. There are no secrets. They are only techniques to waken yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/the-only-thing-a-master-can-teach-is-how-to-learn-about-yourself/) [Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/) > [I don't want to sell myself short. You hurt your spouse, not so much by the infidelity, but by the negative feelings about yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-zaslow/i-don-t-want-to-sell-myself-short-you-hurt-your-spouse-not-so-much-by/) [Michael Zaslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-zaslow/) > [A stranger can see in an instant something in you that you might spend years learning about yourself. How awful we all are when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-elliott/a-stranger-can-see-in-an-instant-something-in-you-that-you-might/) [Stephen Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-elliott/) > [Knowing is the most profound kind of love, giving someone the gift of knowledge about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsha-norman/knowing-is-the-most-profound-kind-of-love-giving-someone-the-gift-of/) [Marsha Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsha-norman/) > [Start telling the truth now and never stop. Begin by telling the truth to yourself about yourself. Then tell the truth to yourself about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/start-telling-the-truth-now-and-never-stop-begin-by-telling-the-truth/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) [Browse all 770 About yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about-yourself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's something not normal about you if you're writing a book about yourself, or about anything. 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