--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What you do need to know is this: Time…" description: "\"“What you do need to know is this: Time moves differently when you’re getting over something big. For me, it slows—limping along on creaky wheels until..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/autumn-doughton-8257_clock_what-you-do-need-to-know-is-this-time-mo_187879.jpg" --- # What you do need to know is this: Time moves differently… ![“What you do need to know is this: Time moves differently when you’re getting over something big. For me, it slows—limping along on creaky wheels until the rusty engine blows and I’m here, stranded with nothing but a masking tape colored sky to look at.” quote by Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/autumn-doughton-8257_clock_what-you-do-need-to-know-is-this-time-mo_187879.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/autumn-doughton-8257_clock_what-you-do-need-to-know-is-this-time-mo_187879.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b3/autumn-doughton-8257_clock_what-you-do-need-to-know-is-this-time-mo_187879.jpg) > ““What you do need to know is this: Time moves differently when you’re getting over something big. For me, it slows—limping along on creaky wheels until the rusty engine blows and I’m here, stranded with nothing but a masking tape colored sky to look at.”” [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Healing from a major loss feels like time stretches, moving slowly and unevenly until the pain finally releases you into a stark, empty present. **In simple terms:** Recovery feels like time slows down until the pain eases. Key Takeaway Accept the slow pace and notice small signs of change. Themes grief time healing acceptance loneliness Mood reflective somber hopeful Type narrative inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - breakup recovery - career setback - personal loss - major transition Key Concepts psychology trauma recovery temporal perception Questions to Reflect On - How does your perception of time change during grief? - What small moments signal progress? A Different Perspective The metaphor may exaggerate the experience; not everyone feels time literally slows. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“It is a truth universally acknowledged that time moves differently for men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-willig/it-is-a-truth-universally-acknowledged-that-time-moves-differently/) [Lauren Willig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-willig/) > [Every forest branch moves differently in the breeze, but as they sway they connect at the roots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/every-forest-branch-moves-differently-in-the-breeze-but-as-they-sway/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“Time moves funny and it's hard to pin down. Occasionally, time offers you a hundred opportunities to do the right thing. Sometimes, it gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/time-moves-funny-and-it-s-hard-to-pin-down-occasionally-time-offers/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [You're different. You're more perfect. Time is three things for most people, but for you, for us, just one. A singularity. One moment. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-nolan/you-re-different-you-re-more-perfect-time-is-three-things-for-most/) [Jonathan Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-nolan/) > [“Times slows when your life is in danger. Every second takes a minute to pass, and even the smallest event gets chiseled into memory. (95)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bul-dau/times-slows-when-your-life-is-in-danger-every-second-takes-a-minute/) John Bul Dau > [But that is the only thing that slows me down is the system. No one, two or three was big enough to slow me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/but-that-is-the-only-thing-that-slows-me-down-is-the-system-no-one/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' slows the world down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-winston-george/marvin-gaye-s-what-s-going-on-slows-the-world-down/) [Jason Winston George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-winston-george/) > [I hate patience. Slows everything down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-patience-slows-everything-down/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Progress always slows down before picking up again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romain-gary/progress-always-slows-down-before-picking-up-again/) [Romain Gary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romain-gary/) > [Aging is not one process. It's many different things going on that cause us to age. I have a program that at least slows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/aging-is-not-one-process-it-s-many-different-things-going-on-that/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [“Everything slows down when we listen and stop trying to fix the unfixable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/everything-slows-down-when-we-listen-and-stop-trying-to-fix-the/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [With the single exception of Park Lane, every north-south route in London slows traffic to the pace of a wounded gnat with pleurisy struggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gove/with-the-single-exception-of-park-lane-every-north-south-route-in/) [Michael Gove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gove/) > [Many newly public companies are able to post a year or two of strong sales growth off a small base, but their growth almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/many-newly-public-companies-are-able-to-post-a-year-or-two-of-strong/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [Summer specializes in time, slows it down almost to dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grotz/summer-specializes-in-time-slows-it-down-almost-to-dream/) [Jennifer Grotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grotz/) > [I refuse to be one of those artists who, 10 years from now, they're bitter about the rise and the fall of their career.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-bryan/i-refuse-to-be-one-of-those-artists-who-10-years-from-now-they-re/) [Luke Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-bryan/) ## More by Autumn Doughton > [“Happiness isn't something that you plan for. It comes knocking unexpectedly, just like opportunity. And it's up to you to answer the door and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/happiness-isn-t-something-that-you-plan-for-it-comes-knocking/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“I've forgotten to remember”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/i-ve-forgotten-to-remember/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“He looks at you like you're the only person in the room. Like he's trapped underwater and you're an oxygen tank. Like he's in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/he-looks-at-you-like-you-re-the-only-person-in-the-room-like-he-s/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“My pulse is buzzing and my stomach is a riot of butterflies and half-digested peanut butter cookies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/my-pulse-is-buzzing-and-my-stomach-is-a-riot-of-butterflies-and-half/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“Oh. My. God. I'd been dissed. Majorly. Because I was an ugly, disgusting ogre. Snot was probably pouring from my nostrils onto the ground.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/oh-my-god-i-d-been-dissed-majorly-because-i-was-an-ugly-disgusting/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“She looks skeptical. “A bird attacked you?”     “Not quite.” I give a chagrined sigh. “A bird shit in my eye.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/she-looks-skeptical-a-bird-attacked-you-not-quite-i-give-a-chagrined/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“My first love is reading. My second love is pizza.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/my-first-love-is-reading-my-second-love-is-pizza/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“It’s the kind of music you want to listen to while you lay on the grass and get lost in the sky. It feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/it-s-the-kind-of-music-you-want-to-listen-to-while-you-lay-on-the/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“Here's what I think: it's one thing to know that rejection is coming, and it's an entirely different thing when it arrives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/here-s-what-i-think-it-s-one-thing-to-know-that-rejection-is-coming/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“In my defense, the Easter Bunny is the weakest link in magical lore. I mean, you have to admit that the whole thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/in-my-defense-the-easter-bunny-is-the-weakest-link-in-magical-lore-i/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“It's not perfect, but nothing is perfect except for an idea of something," he goes on, "And if we aren't experiencing the world and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/it-s-not-perfect-but-nothing-is-perfect-except-for-an-idea-of/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“ Ending I lied. I wanted you from that moment. I wanted you, wrapped in starlight and reflections, To be tied up with strings.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/ending-i-lied-i-wanted-you-from-that-moment-i-wanted-you-wrapped-in/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“I'm miserable but the thing is that I want to be miserable. It's kind of nice. Like a comfortable sweater that you put on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/i-m-miserable-but-the-thing-is-that-i-want-to-be-miserable-it-s-kind/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“I’m so far gone that I almost lift her face and kiss her on the mouth. I almost admit to her that I’m losing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/i-m-so-far-gone-that-i-almost-lift-her-face-and-kiss-her-on-the-mouth/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) > [“Then I'd say that I'm fucking sick and tired of getting in the way of myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-doughton/then-i-d-say-that-i-m-fucking-sick-and-tired-of-getting-in-the-way-of/) [Autumn Doughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) [Explore all 82 Autumn Doughton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-doughton/) ## More Clock quotes > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Time was never neutral and often felt dangerous. We either think we have all the time in the world or time moves too fast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-reay/time-was-never-neutral-and-often-felt-dangerous-we-either-think-we/) [Katherine Reay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-reay/) > [Before a clock was in the tower, Or e'er a watch was worn; I knew of night the passing hour, And prophesied the morn;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/before-a-clock-was-in-the-tower-or-e-er-a-watch-was-worn-i-knew-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [“Time is, to put it in its most impressive and some might say poncy-sounding form, my domain. I can see things that once happened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-rayner/time-is-to-put-it-in-its-most-impressive-and-some-might-say-poncy/) [Jacqueline Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-rayner/) > [Time travel offends our sense of cause and effect - but maybe the universe doesn't insist on cause and effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-lerner/time-travel-offends-our-sense-of-cause-and-effect-but-maybe-the/) [Edward M. Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-lerner/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [Time.The greatest creator, and the worst destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-keely/time-the-greatest-creator-and-the-worst-destroyer/) Levi Keely > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [No life goes past so swiftly as an eventless one, no clock spins like a clock whose days are all alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/no-life-goes-past-so-swiftly-as-an-eventless-one-no-clock-spins-like/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Those who stop marketing to save money are like those who stop a clock to save time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/those-who-stop-marketing-to-save-money-are-like-those-who-stop-a/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [Time is the nervous system of narration, whether factual or fictive. If it gets confused some of the minutiae of human nature are certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenway-wescott/time-is-the-nervous-system-of-narration-whether-factual-or-fictive-if/) [Glenway Wescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenway-wescott/) > [I don't know if it's just me or everyone, but the whole vibe with skiing is not so much thriving on competition against others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/picabo-street/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-just-me-or-everyone-but-the-whole-vibe-with/) [Picabo Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/picabo-street/) > [Time goes on, even when yer not looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/time-goes-on-even-when-yer-not-looking/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Browse all 2,738 Clock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What you do need to know is this: Time moves differently when you’re getting over something big. 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