--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's very intense to go back to the past…" description: "\"It's very intense to go back to the past and revive work that I've already experienced and moved forward from. It's like seeing an old girlfriend - awk..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/barry-mcgee-23113_awkward_it-s-very-intense-to-go-back-to-the-past_2745369.jpg" --- # It's very intense to go back to the past and revive work… ![“It's very intense to go back to the past and revive work that I've already experienced and moved forward from. It's like seeing an old girlfriend - awkward at times, nostalgic at times and downright maddening and embarrassing.” quote by Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/barry-mcgee-23113_awkward_it-s-very-intense-to-go-back-to-the-past_2745369.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/barry-mcgee-23113_awkward_it-s-very-intense-to-go-back-to-the-past_2745369.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/barry-mcgee-23113_awkward_it-s-very-intense-to-go-back-to-the-past_2745369.jpg) > “It's very intense to go back to the past and revive work that I've already experienced and moved forward from. It's like seeing an old girlfriend - awkward at times, nostalgic at times and downright maddening and embarrassing.” [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflecting on revisiting past work can feel both nostalgic and uncomfortable, mixing admiration with embarrassment. **In simple terms:** Returning to old work feels awkward and nostalgic. Key Takeaway Embrace past lessons, but focus on forward growth. Themes nostalgia creativity self‑reflection Mood reflective bittersweet Type artistic personal philosophical When to use this quote - gallery retrospectives - re‑exhibitions - personal archives - creative workshops Key Concepts artistic evolution memory identity growth Questions to Reflect On - How does revisiting old work influence your current practice? - What can you learn from past mistakes without being stuck? A Different Perspective Past experiences may limit innovation if clung to too tightly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Downright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/downright/) [Girlfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girlfriend/) [Intense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intense/) [Nostalgic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nostalgic/) [Old girlfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-girlfriend/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [“Everybody has a 'past', some more intense than others. But it's the past. I don't care what you've done. 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But I think the reality is they actually saw me with a Razorback on my shirt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-malzahn/it-was-awkward-at-times-especially-at-first-but-i-think-the-reality/) Gus Malzahn > [“Life can be awkward at times. 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They're the toughest audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/if-i-could-get-the-respect-of-14-year-olds-i-m-happy-they-re-the/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [I like the idea that you can paint something outdoors, and anyone can see it. It's open to anyone, and people have to deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/i-like-the-idea-that-you-can-paint-something-outdoors-and-anyone-can/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [Some of my favorite pieces are from thrift shops. When I find something I really love, I live, work and sleep in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/some-of-my-favorite-pieces-are-from-thrift-shops-when-i-find/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [That's immediately how I gauge how healthy a city is-by the amount of tags. It's just in direct competition with advertising. 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