--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After a horribly long day, I needed a…" description: "\"“After a horribly long day, I needed a mental break. I threw on my parka, with the raccoon fur around the hood, and I went to see a movie. But what to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/augusten-burroughs-603_long-day_after-a-horribly-long-day-i-needed-a-men_1845654.jpg" --- # After a horribly long day, I needed a mental break. I… ![“After a horribly long day, I needed a mental break. I threw on my parka, with the raccoon fur around the hood, and I went to see a movie. But what to see? Something sweet and stupid and harmless. At the movie theater on Second Avenue and Twelfth, a title caught my eye. I thought, 'That seems good…” quote by Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/augusten-burroughs-603_long-day_after-a-horribly-long-day-i-needed-a-men_1845654.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/augusten-burroughs-603_long-day_after-a-horribly-long-day-i-needed-a-men_1845654.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/362/augusten-burroughs-603_long-day_after-a-horribly-long-day-i-needed-a-men_1845654.jpg) > ““After a horribly long day, I needed a mental break. I threw on my parka, with the raccoon fur around the hood, and I went to see a movie. But what to see? Something sweet and stupid and harmless. At the movie theater on Second Avenue and Twelfth, a title caught my eye. I thought, 'That seems good. Jodie Foster and a puffy, friendly farm animal, a butterfly.' I unzipped my jacket and headed inside to see a movie I'd heard the name of but knew nothing about. It was called Silence Of The Lambs.”” [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## 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 seeks a simple, comforting escape after a stressful day, choosing a lighthearted film to unwind. **In simple terms:** Seeking a light distraction after stress. Key Takeaway Allow yourself a brief, enjoyable escape. Themes stress relief entertainment selfcare Mood relaxed hopeful Type personal anecdote humorous When to use this quote - after work - bad day - movie night - self care routine Key Concepts escapism comfort seeking Questions to Reflect On - What simple pleasure can you schedule regularly? - How does a light film change your mood? A Different Perspective A brief distraction may not address underlying issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Long day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-day/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Movie theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie-theater/) [Silence Of The Lambs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence-of-the-lambs/) ## Related quotes > [I've seen 'Silence of the Lambs,' like, fifty or sixty times. That's my favorite movie of all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/i-ve-seen-silence-of-the-lambs-like-fifty-or-sixty-times-that-s-my/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [Nothing like quoting Silence of the Lambs for people to question what kind of disability you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-anner/nothing-like-quoting-silence-of-the-lambs-for-people-to-question-what/) [Zach Anner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-anner/) > [And Silence of the Lambs is a really smart book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/and-silence-of-the-lambs-is-a-really-smart-book/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [I'll tell you - what I can tell you is that I know when I saw 'Zodiac' and then again when I saw 'No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-demme/i-ll-tell-you-what-i-can-tell-you-is-that-i-know-when-i-saw-zodiac/) [Jonathan Demme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-demme/) > [But the face on the pillow, rosy in the firelight, is certainly that of Clarice Starling, and she sleeps deeply, sweetly, in the silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-harris/but-the-face-on-the-pillow-rosy-in-the-firelight-is-certainly-that-of/) [Thomas Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-harris/) > [It's kind of like Silence of the lambs meets Boogey Nights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittany-daniel/it-s-kind-of-like-silence-of-the-lambs-meets-boogey-nights/) [Brittany Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittany-daniel/) > [“Oh, God, is this like Silence of the Lambs?" Tears flowed down her face. "I don't want to go down the hole! I won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanea-alder/oh-god-is-this-like-silence-of-the-lambs-tears-flowed-down-her-face-i/) [Alanea Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanea-alder/) > [When Silence of the Lambs did well commercially it was more than anything. My partner Ed Saxon and I were just so relieved that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-demme/when-silence-of-the-lambs-did-well-commercially-it-was-more-than/) [Jonathan Demme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-demme/) > ["Silence Of The Lambs" is definitely very frightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-jackson/silence-of-the-lambs-is-definitely-very-frightening/) [Jonathan Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-jackson/) > [You might be a redneck if you think Silence of the Lambs is what happens when Larry walks out to the barn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-you-think-silence-of-the-lambs-is-what/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [“My head rested on his shoulder, my heart rested entirely in his hands And in a whisper, my words escaped: "I love you." He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/my-head-rested-on-his-shoulder-my-heart-rested-entirely-in-his-hands/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“Is this a movie?' I heard someone ask. Naw- this is too original for Hollywood. They do sequels. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/is-this-a-movie-i-heard-someone-ask-naw-this-is-too-original-for/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [I went to see that movie 'From Hell,' or as Osama bin Laden calls it - 'Roots.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/i-went-to-see-that-movie-from-hell-or-as-osama-bin-laden-calls-it/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [ So we went off and made this movie \["Jim Younger"\], and I've gotta tell ya, it's as much fun as I've ever had making… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-carradine/so-we-went-off-and-made-this-movie-jim-younger-and-i-ve-gotta-tell-ya/) [Keith Carradine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-carradine/) > [“I thought, “Oh my God this is fantastic,” and I remember calling him and going, “Oh my God, Bruce, you did it. You made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-abrams/i-thought-oh-my-god-this-is-fantastic-and-i-remember-calling-him-and/) [Brian Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-abrams/) ## More by Augusten Burroughs > [There is nothing about myself that I wouldn't reveal or write about. I don't care how horrendous or ridiculous I may appear in person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/there-is-nothing-about-myself-that-i-wouldn-t-reveal-or-write-about-i/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“We were alone together, we were an us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/we-were-alone-together-we-were-an-us/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Like every child, I adored her. Until I formed a brain and got to know her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/like-every-child-i-adored-her-until-i-formed-a-brain-and-got-to-know/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“You must hang onto the scraps of the bucking moment as if your sanity and life depended on it - because actually they do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/you-must-hang-onto-the-scraps-of-the-bucking-moment-as-if-your-sanity/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Real optimism is not the pep talk you give yourself. It is earned through the labor involved in emotional housekeeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/real-optimism-is-not-the-pep-talk-you-give-yourself-it-is-earned/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [If you hate your life, you haven't' seen enough of it. If you hate your life, it's because your life is too small and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/if-you-hate-your-life-you-haven-t-seen-enough-of-it-if-you-hate-your/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I think writers tend to be experience junkies, and I think they also tend to want to be on the outside looking in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-think-writers-tend-to-be-experience-junkies-and-i-think-they-also/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I think part of the reason I'm attracted to Foster is because he's such a mess. I mean, the people I have loved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-think-part-of-the-reason-i-m-attracted-to-foster-is-because-he-s/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“On typical days, (dust) is simply irritating. On Roid Rage days, it made me want to stomp down to the highway, pull drivers out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/on-typical-days-dust-is-simply-irritating-on-roid-rage-days-it-made/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I'm like the guy who prepares your taxes or a dentist. I'm very conservative and boring in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-m-like-the-guy-who-prepares-your-taxes-or-a-dentist-i-m-very/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“Nothing surprises me now," I tell him. I am stoic. I am Joan of Arc, with liver damage and an unused penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/nothing-surprises-me-now-i-tell-him-i-am-stoic-i-am-joan-of-arc-with/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“It's not that I was an outright nitwit of a child.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-s-not-that-i-was-an-outright-nitwit-of-a-child/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [What I really want is to sit next to someone under an L.L. bean blanket on the beach in the fall and drink coffee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/what-i-really-want-is-to-sit-next-to-someone-under-an-l-l-bean/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“My worth depended on where exactly the decimal was placed among the zeroes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/my-worth-depended-on-where-exactly-the-decimal-was-placed-among-the/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“Bookman isn't a stable man. He has a lot of problems that run very, very deep." But he was really good at giving head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/bookman-isn-t-a-stable-man-he-has-a-lot-of-problems-that-run-very/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) [Explore all 448 Augusten Burroughs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## More Long day quotes > [“Spirituality doesn’t look like sitting down and meditating. Spirituality looks like folding the towels in a sweet way and talking kindly to the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-tippett/spirituality-doesn-t-look-like-sitting-down-and-meditating/) [Krista Tippett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-tippett/) > [“To seek out the upright. No fall but preceded by a declination. He took great marching steps into the nothingness, counting them against his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/to-seek-out-the-upright-no-fall-but-preceded-by-a-declination-he-took/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [“If his long day were lived in a European novel, he'd become "D" when on the run or near disappeared.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kudera/if-his-long-day-were-lived-in-a-european-novel-he-d-become-d-when-on/) [Alex Kudera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kudera/) > [My dogs are about unconditional love. It's so wonderful to walk in the door from a long day and all they want to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leann-rimes/my-dogs-are-about-unconditional-love-it-s-so-wonderful-to-walk-in-the/) [LeAnn Rimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leann-rimes/) > [There are two industry secrets to surviving a long day on camera on the red carpet: First, no drinking the night before - ever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/there-are-two-industry-secrets-to-surviving-a-long-day-on-camera-on/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [I need family support close because when you go to work, they are long days and it can get lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lando/i-need-family-support-close-because-when-you-go-to-work-they-are-long/) [Joe Lando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lando/) > [It's a 12-hour cooking class for me on the set of 'Chopped.' You'd think I'd get sick of it, but it's a source of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-allen/it-s-a-12-hour-cooking-class-for-me-on-the-set-of-chopped-you-d-think/) [Ted Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-allen/) > [After a show or a long day, there's nothing better than some cozy slippers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-pearce/after-a-show-or-a-long-day-there-s-nothing-better-than-some-cozy/) [Carly Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-pearce/) > [The past is the present, isn’t it? It’s the future too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/the-past-is-the-present-isn-t-it-it-s-the-future-too/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [“The car was on the FDR drive now and, turning her head, she glanced out at the bleak brown buildings of the projects that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-car-was-on-the-fdr-drive-now-and-turning-her-head-she-glanced-out/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“So, then. You want a story and I will tell you one. But just the one. Don’t either of you ask me for more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/so-then-you-want-a-story-and-i-will-tell-you-one-but-just-the-one-don/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [I do enjoy making videos, even though they are long days and very hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-tucker/i-do-enjoy-making-videos-even-though-they-are-long-days-and-very-hard/) [Tanya Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-tucker/) > [The music that I listen to on set really varies. When I need lots of energy and I'm dying down towards the day, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-morrone/the-music-that-i-listen-to-on-set-really-varies-when-i-need-lots-of/) [Camila Morrone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-morrone/) > [I'm starting to develop my practice, learning how to come home after a really long day of shooting and letting myself breathe. I'm drawing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-schafer/i-m-starting-to-develop-my-practice-learning-how-to-come-home-after-a/) [Hunter Schafer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-schafer/) > [Sometimes when I get home after a long day, I'll turn on music - I love Latin, disco, and pop - and do my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-glau/sometimes-when-i-get-home-after-a-long-day-i-ll-turn-on-music-i-love/) [Summer Glau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-glau/) [Browse all 269 Long day quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-day/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“After a horribly long day, I needed a mental break. I threw on my parka, with the raccoon fur around the hood, and I went to see a movie. But what to see? Something sweet and stupid and harmless. At the movie theater on Second Avenue and Twelfth, a title caught my eye. I thought, 'That seems good. 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