---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was trying to figure out what a memory…"
description: "\"I was trying to figure out what a memory feels like.\" — Charlie Kaufman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg"
---

#  I was trying to figure out what a memory feels like.

![“I was trying to figure out what a memory feels like.” quote by Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg)

> “I was trying to figure out what a memory feels like.”

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Understanding memory involves exploring its subjective, fragmented nature rather than a single definition.

**In simple terms:** Memory is personal and fragmented.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the complexity of memory.

Themes

creativity psychology memory identity

Mood

introspective thoughtful

Type

artistic philosophical

When to use this quote

- writing
- therapy
- self‑reflection

Key Concepts

subjectivity neuroscience narrative

Questions to Reflect On

- How do your memories shape your identity?
- What role does imagination play in recalling past events?

A Different Perspective

Memory can be unreliable and biased.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Figure skating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figure-skating/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/)

## Related quotes

> [“Your memory feels like home to me. So whenever my mind wanders, it always finds it’s way back to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranata-suzuki/your-memory-feels-like-home-to-me-so-whenever-my-mind-wanders-it/)

[Ranata Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranata-suzuki/)

> [Such are the Splendors and Miseries of memory: it is proud of its ability to keep truthful track of the logical sequence of past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/such-are-the-splendors-and-miseries-of-memory-it-is-proud-of-its/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [“I have wanted you for so long now,” he said roughly, “I’ve no memory of how it feels to be devoid of the craving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/i-have-wanted-you-for-so-long-now-he-said-roughly-i-ve-no-memory-of/)

[Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/)

> [“No matter how much time passes and no matter how much I burn his beautiful image into my memory, it always feels like I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-m-phillips/no-matter-how-much-time-passes-and-no-matter-how-much-i-burn-his/)

S.M Phillips

> [It's a hard process to navigate... to figure out where your kid ought to go to college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-spellings/it-s-a-hard-process-to-navigate-to-figure-out-where-your-kid-ought-to/)

[Margaret Spellings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-spellings/)

> [My mother introduced me to many different things, and figure skating was one of them. I just thought that it was magical having to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debi-thomas/my-mother-introduced-me-to-many-different-things-and-figure-skating/)

[Debi Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debi-thomas/)

> [High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing…everything else is just figure skating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scotty-bowman/high-sticking-tripping-slashing-spearing-charging-hooking-fighting/)

[Scotty Bowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scotty-bowman/)

> [I am an American man, and in America, we still think of figure skaters as little girls in pretty, sparkly dresses - I worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weir/i-am-an-american-man-and-in-america-we-still-think-of-figure-skaters/)

[Johnny Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weir/)

> [I've always enjoyed performing. I was in figure skating before, and then I joined my first school play. Ever since that, you have not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniela-bobadilla/i-ve-always-enjoyed-performing-i-was-in-figure-skating-before-and/)

[Daniela Bobadilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniela-bobadilla/)

> [Figure skating is theatrical, and a part of it is wearing costumes. My costumes were very over-the-top and outrageous for figure skating. But for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weir/figure-skating-is-theatrical-and-a-part-of-it-is-wearing-costumes-my/)

[Johnny Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weir/)

> [That's really what science is just trying to figure stuff out, and I like figuring stuff out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-s-really-what-science-is-just-trying-to-figure-stuff-out-and-i/)

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

> [“O wayfarer! Yearn finds quench, not in meadows, seashores or altitude of mountain peaks; but when being and dance are one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shah-asad-rizvi/o-wayfarer-yearn-finds-quench-not-in-meadows-seashores-or-altitude-of/)

[Shah Asad Rizvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shah-asad-rizvi/)

> [An athlete gains so much knowledge by just participating in a sport. Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-yamaguchi/an-athlete-gains-so-much-knowledge-by-just-participating-in-a-sport/)

[Kristi Yamaguchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-yamaguchi/)

> [I decided to host my show 'Kiss and Cry' hoping that people actually want to participate and feel more familiar with figure skating. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuna-kim/i-decided-to-host-my-show-kiss-and-cry-hoping-that-people-actually/)

[Yuna Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuna-kim/)

> [I think skating helped me find myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-fleming/i-think-skating-helped-me-find-myself/)

[Peggy Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-fleming/)

## More by Charlie Kaufman

> [I think if something resonates, even if it's surreal, it's because it is relatable and I think that that's a core issue for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-think-if-something-resonates-even-if-it-s-surreal-it-s-because-it/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [And then to see the whole movie, you're pretty much waiting until the end of production. And the major lifting in terms of editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/and-then-to-see-the-whole-movie-you-re-pretty-much-waiting-until-the/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [Seriously, I don't consider myself a writer. I don't think I have writing talent. But I will continue to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/seriously-i-don-t-consider-myself-a-writer-i-don-t-think-i-have/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I spend a lot of time in preproduction working with authors, and a lot of time in postproduction.: editing, music, all that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-preproduction-working-with-authors-and-a-lot/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [There's a point I can get to where I start writing character and then through the dialogue, after all of this preparation, the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/there-s-a-point-i-can-get-to-where-i-start-writing-character-and-then/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [Sand is overrated. It's just tiny little rocks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/sand-is-overrated-it-s-just-tiny-little-rocks/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [Directing is a more pragmatic experience, where you have to deal with the restrictions of time and money that force you to make certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/directing-is-a-more-pragmatic-experience-where-you-have-to-deal-with/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I feel like I want to keep moving toward idiosyncracy. Personal, personal, personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-feel-like-i-want-to-keep-moving-toward-idiosyncracy-personal/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I actually think I'm probably more interested in structure than most people who write screenplays, because I think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-actually-think-i-m-probably-more-interested-in-structure-than-most/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [Yeah, once we decided to use that replacement animation, and the seams are a function of that animation, and other movies paint those out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/yeah-once-we-decided-to-use-that-replacement-animation-and-the-seams/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I just try to be honest, because I think that's part of my job description as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-just-try-to-be-honest-because-i-think-that-s-part-of-my-job/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I love working with actors. I love visual things. I always intended to be a writer who directs and a director who writes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-love-working-with-actors-i-love-visual-things-i-always-intended-to/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [“Why didn't I go in? I'm such a chicken. I'm such an idiot. I should have kissed her. I've blown it. I should just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/why-didn-t-i-go-in-i-m-such-a-chicken-i-m-such-an-idiot-i-should-have/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I try when I'm writing to leave enough "space" for people to have their own interpretation, and not to direct it toward one conclusion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-try-when-i-m-writing-to-leave-enough-space-for-people-to-have-their/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

> [I don't have a style. I wouldn't say I have a style as a writer, either. I know people have said "This is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-don-t-have-a-style-i-wouldn-t-say-i-have-a-style-as-a-writer-either/)

[Charlie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

[Explore all 168 Charlie Kaufman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/)

## More Feels quotes

> [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/)

[Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

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

> [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/)

[Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/)

> [Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/pain-is-meant-to-wake-us-up-people-try-to-hide-their-pain-but-they-re/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

> [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/)

[Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/)

> [Most days, I go home and I feel rejuvenated. I feel ebullient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/most-days-i-go-home-and-i-feel-rejuvenated-i-feel-ebullient/)

[Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/)

> [Do you think that God would separate me from my husband if I killed myself? I feel as though I am going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-think-that-god-would-separate-me-from-my-husband-if-i-killed/)

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

> [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/)

[Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/)

> [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/)

[Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/)

> [(knitting while on a motorcycle) "For several years she knitted in secret (my father would not approve; she was to concentrate on motorcycling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-zimmermann/knitting-while-on-a-motorcycle-for-several-years-she-knitted-in/)

[Elizabeth Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-zimmermann/)

> [Then come to realize that you're making mountains out of molehills. Realize how petty you've become. Sure, it may feel like you can't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/then-come-to-realize-that-you-re-making-mountains-out-of-molehills/)

[Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/)

> [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/)

[Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/)

> [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/)

[Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/)

> [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/)

[Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/)

> [I feel like I could eat the world raw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-miller/i-feel-like-i-could-eat-the-world-raw/)

[Madeline Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-miller/)

Browse all 38,933 Feels quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I was trying to figure out what a memory feels like.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Charlie Kaufman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory-feels-like/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Feels"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory-feels-like/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af0/charlie-kaufman-2409_feels_i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory_3227777.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I was trying to figure out what a memory feels like.” — Charlie Kaufman",
                "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": "Charlie Kaufman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kaufman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I was trying to figure out...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory-feels-like/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kaufman/i-was-trying-to-figure-out-what-a-memory-feels-like/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```