---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a salad bar of phobias"
description: "\"It was a salad bar of phobias\" — Augusten Burroughs"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png"
---

#  It was a salad bar of phobias

![“It was a salad bar of phobias” quote by Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png)

> “It was a salad bar of phobias”

[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.

Life presents a variety of fears, like a salad bar offering many options.

**In simple terms:** Life offers many fears.

Key Takeaway

Identify and confront your fears.

Themes

fear diversity self-awareness

Mood

anxious curious

Type

metaphorical reflective

When to use this quote

- therapy
- self-help
- education
- creative writing

Key Concepts

psychology anxiety personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

- Which fear do you avoid?
- How can you taste fear without being overwhelmed?

A Different Perspective

Focusing on fears may cause paralysis.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Phobia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phobia/) [Phobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phobias/)

## Related quotes

> [“I'm going to get something from the salad bar. Do you want a Frosty from Wendy's, Alex?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-norford/i-m-going-to-get-something-from-the-salad-bar-do-you-want-a-frosty/)

Bryan Norford

> [Even when I go to a salad bar, I need to feel like I'm one of the first people there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/even-when-i-go-to-a-salad-bar-i-need-to-feel-like-i-m-one-of-the/)

[Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/)

> [For too long we have been taking, and the Earth has been giving. But that free-for-all, that all-you-can-eat buffet, it's over. The salad bar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/for-too-long-we-have-been-taking-and-the-earth-has-been-giving-but/)

[Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/)

> [Catholicism has changed tremendously in recent years. Now when Communion is served there is also a salad bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/catholicism-has-changed-tremendously-in-recent-years-now-when/)

[Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/)

> [I have a lot of tics and phobias. I hate to travel. I hate to go to festivals. I hate it when somebody gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingmar-bergman/i-have-a-lot-of-tics-and-phobias-i-hate-to-travel-i-hate-to-go-to/)

[Ingmar Bergman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingmar-bergman/)

> [In neurotics, worm phobias are usually found as well as snake phobias.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-abraham/in-neurotics-worm-phobias-are-usually-found-as-well-as-snake-phobias/)

[Karl Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-abraham/)

> [Theres something about most phobias where theres a tiny, tiny corner where you think this really actually could happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-chast/theres-something-about-most-phobias-where-theres-a-tiny-tiny-corner/)

[Roz Chast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-chast/)

> [“When you explore your fears then you set yourself free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/when-you-explore-your-fears-then-you-set-yourself-free/)

[Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/)

> [One of my favorite phobias is that girls, especially those whose tastes aren't routine, often don't get a fair break... It has come down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-earhart/one-of-my-favorite-phobias-is-that-girls-especially-those-whose/)

[Amelia Earhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-earhart/)

> [“When you have mastered fear then you have mastered all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/when-you-have-mastered-fear-then-you-have-mastered-all/)

[Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/)

> [I write about rats because they scare the hell out of me. I think we tend to write out our phobias.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/i-write-about-rats-because-they-scare-the-hell-out-of-me-i-think-we/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [I have three phobias ...: I hate going to bed, get up and hate hate being alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tallulah-bankhead/i-have-three-phobias-i-hate-going-to-bed-get-up-and-hate-hate-being/)

[Tallulah Bankhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tallulah-bankhead/)

> [Tell us your phobias and we will tell you what you are afraid of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-benchley/tell-us-your-phobias-and-we-will-tell-you-what-you-are-afraid-of/)

[Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-benchley/)

> [I don't have phobias. I'm pretty laid back. Nothing really bothers me. I can handle things pretty well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-winstead/i-don-t-have-phobias-i-m-pretty-laid-back-nothing-really-bothers-me-i/)

[Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-winstead/)

> [My phobias worsen as I get older. I'm scared of flying, driving. I'm terrified of sharks. I'm a germaphobe. But I try to face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/my-phobias-worsen-as-i-get-older-i-m-scared-of-flying-driving-i-m/)

[Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/)

## 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 Bars quotes

> [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/)

[Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/)

> [The dark ages still reign over all humanity, and the depth and persistence of this domination are only now becoming clear. This Dark Ages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/the-dark-ages-still-reign-over-all-humanity-and-the-depth-and/)

[R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/)

> [It wasn't really touching to be young; it was touching not to be young, because you had less of life left. Touching to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-macaulay/it-wasn-t-really-touching-to-be-young-it-was-touching-not-to-be-young/)

[Rose Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-macaulay/)

> [Your thief looks Exactly like the rest, or rather better; 'Tis only at the bar, and in the dungeon, That wise men know your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-byron/your-thief-looks-exactly-like-the-rest-or-rather-better-tis-only-at/)

[Lord Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-byron/)

> [While traveling, I love granola bars, trail mix nuts, dry cereal and fruit for on-the-go snacks. I also try and start the day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christie-rampone/while-traveling-i-love-granola-bars-trail-mix-nuts-dry-cereal-and/)

[Christie Rampone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christie-rampone/)

> [3 people get stranded on a remote Island A Banker, a Daily Mail reader & an Asylum seeker All they have to eat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-brookmyre/3-people-get-stranded-on-a-remote-island-a-banker-a-daily-mail-reader/)

[Christopher Brookmyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-brookmyre/)

> [Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house unless they have a well-stocked bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/thou-shalt-not-covet-thy-neighbor-s-house-unless-they-have-a-well/)

[W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/)

> [Meanwhile after failing the bar twice, I knew some people in New York and moved here in August '71.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-quine/meanwhile-after-failing-the-bar-twice-i-knew-some-people-in-new-york/)

[Robert Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-quine/)

> [If you look at coffee, tea, food and juice, we think there are inherent opportunities. If you look at health bars or grab-and-go products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-you-look-at-coffee-tea-food-and-juice-we-think-there-are-inherent/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [I bet a guy at a bar 50 bucks that I was more dysfunctional than he was. He raped me. So I tipped him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-a-guy-at-a-bar-50-bucks-that-i-was-more-dysfunctional-than-he/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I closed my own jazz bar so I could be a man who can write novels as I like. I was pleased about that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-closed-my-own-jazz-bar-so-i-could-be-a-man-who-can-write-novels-as/)

[Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/)

> [My parents were Orthodox Jews but not very regular Orthodox Jews. I was bar mitzvahed and all that. But God was hardly ever mentioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-hentoff/my-parents-were-orthodox-jews-but-not-very-regular-orthodox-jews-i/)

[Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-hentoff/)

> [I know a lot about Canadian politics. I lived in Canadian bars for six years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/i-know-a-lot-about-canadian-politics-i-lived-in-canadian-bars-for-six/)

[Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/)

> [History is the heavy traffic that prevents us from crossing the road. We're not especially interested in what it consists of. We wait, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mal-peet/history-is-the-heavy-traffic-that-prevents-us-from-crossing-the-road/)

[Mal Peet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mal-peet/)

Browse all 1,768 Bars quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It was a salad bar of phobias",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Augusten Burroughs"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bars"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5a/augusten-burroughs-603_bars_it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias-2504425_2504425.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It was a salad bar of phobias” — Augusten Burroughs",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Augusten Burroughs",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It was a salad bar of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-was-a-salad-bar-of-phobias/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```