--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My shyness probably defined the first 30…" description: "\"My shyness probably defined the first 30 years of my life, really. It's a crippling thing. It can be very lonely knowing that you've got things to say,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/bob-mortimer-5592_knowing_my-shyness-probably-defined-the-first-30_1109796.jpg" --- # My shyness probably defined the first 30 years of my life… ![“My shyness probably defined the first 30 years of my life, really. It's a crippling thing. It can be very lonely knowing that you've got things to say, but you daren't say them.” quote by Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/bob-mortimer-5592_knowing_my-shyness-probably-defined-the-first-30_1109796.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/bob-mortimer-5592_knowing_my-shyness-probably-defined-the-first-30_1109796.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/bob-mortimer-5592_knowing_my-shyness-probably-defined-the-first-30_1109796.jpg) > “My shyness probably defined the first 30 years of my life, really. It's a crippling thing. It can be very lonely knowing that you've got things to say, but you daren't say them.” [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shyness can dominate early life, causing isolation and missed opportunities for expression. **In simple terms:** Shyness limits sharing thoughts and creates loneliness. Key Takeaway Challenge the silence, practice speaking up. Themes self‑esteem communication loneliness Mood reflective hopeful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - workplace meetings - social gatherings - online forums - therapeutic sessions Key Concepts social anxiety personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What would change if you spoke your mind? - How can you create safe spaces for sharing? A Different Perspective Shyness may protect from rejection but can also prevent meaningful connections. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lonely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lonely/) [Shyness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shyness/) ## Related quotes > [It can be very lonely knowing that you have things to say but you daren't say them. 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I find the whole thing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-arnold/for-me-making-films-is-about-trying-to-work-something-out-by-myself/) [Andrea Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-arnold/) > [“The thing is, I am so lonely I can hardly breathe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talitha-stevenson/the-thing-is-i-am-so-lonely-i-can-hardly-breathe/) Talitha Stevenson > [I think it's a fascinating thing to see how lonely people are in this world and what they're looking for. It's a universal concept.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-fukunaga/i-think-it-s-a-fascinating-thing-to-see-how-lonely-people-are-in-this/) [Cary Fukunaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-fukunaga/) > [“I am for the artist, who is more alone than he looks. I am not for the reformer, who is always active but usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/i-am-for-the-artist-who-is-more-alone-than-he-looks-i-am-not-for-the/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [To lose your last remaining parent is the toughest thing. It is a very lonely thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arpad-busson/to-lose-your-last-remaining-parent-is-the-toughest-thing-it-is-a-very/) [Arpad Busson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arpad-busson/) > [I can't feel a thing when I am lonely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-t-feel-a-thing-when-i-am-lonely/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I can't explain it very well but it seems that lately, it doesn't matter, human or spirit. 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I'm only trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kaif/when-you-re-walking-at-the-airport-you-re-expected-to-smile-at-people/) [Katrina Kaif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kaif/) > [The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-way-you-overcome-shyness-is-to-become-so-wrapped-up-in-something/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A place has almost the shyness of a person, with strangers; and its secret is not to be surprised by a too direct interrogation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/a-place-has-almost-the-shyness-of-a-person-with-strangers-and-its/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) ## More by Bob Mortimer > [I was just a toddler when my dad died in a car crash. With my mum, Eunice, being a young widow with a large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/i-was-just-a-toddler-when-my-dad-died-in-a-car-crash-with-my-mum/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [There is a theory in showbiz circles that mentally you remain the same age as when you first tasted fame, and I think there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/there-is-a-theory-in-showbiz-circles-that-mentally-you-remain-the/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [We've ignored audiences all these years. We've just amused ourselves and hoped enough people would want to eavesdrop to make it all viable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/we-ve-ignored-audiences-all-these-years-we-ve-just-amused-ourselves/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [I think 'the Mighty Boosh' are quite good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/i-think-the-mighty-boosh-are-quite-good/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [We miss 'House of Fools' a lot. We always enjoyed doing that; it felt a bit like a different and fresh show for British…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/we-miss-house-of-fools-a-lot-we-always-enjoyed-doing-that-it-felt-a/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [I worked in a chicken factory, in a steel foundry, I worked on the bins for a year or so. 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