--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this…" description: "\"“I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this way I do about you, ugh, I'm so afraid you'll realize what I am, and you'll walk away. And it'll hurt me.”\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg" --- # I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this way I do about… ![“I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this way I do about you, ugh, I'm so afraid you'll realize what I am, and you'll walk away. And it'll hurt me.” quote by Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg) > ““I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this way I do about you, ugh, I'm so afraid you'll realize what I am, and you'll walk away. And it'll hurt me.”” [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear of vulnerability leads to self‑sabotage, fearing rejection if true feelings are revealed. **In simple terms:** Afraid to show love, fearing loss. Key Takeaway Accept openness, risk rejection. Themes vulnerability fear relationships Mood anxious hopeful Type personal emotional When to use this quote - confessing love - therapeutic sessions - dating - personal growth Key Concepts self‑sabotage attachment self‑esteem Questions to Reflect On - What are you afraid others will discover about you? - How can you balance honesty with self‑protection? A Different Perspective Emotions can be suppressed, but honesty fosters deeper connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a total wreck. Afraid to let anyone near. Afraid they'll see the real me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/i-m-a-total-wreck-afraid-to-let-anyone-near-afraid-they-ll-see-the/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [You're not afraid I'll kill you tonight?" "Like I couldn't take you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/you-re-not-afraid-i-ll-kill-you-tonight-like-i-couldn-t-take-you/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [“I have to help you, Ash. I can’t say no to what you’re asking, but I’m afraid I’ll hurt you in this process. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annabel-joseph/i-have-to-help-you-ash-i-can-t-say-no-to-what-you-re-asking-but-i-m/) [Annabel Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annabel-joseph/) > [“Whatever it is that you’re afraid of, I’ll stand between you and it my whole life,” he said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-bay/whatever-it-is-that-you-re-afraid-of-i-ll-stand-between-you-and-it-my/) [Louise Bay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-bay/) > [Why can't I talk to you? Oh yeah… I'm too afraid I'll tell you I love you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beka-mackey/why-can-t-i-talk-to-you-oh-yeah-i-m-too-afraid-i-ll-tell-you-i-love/) [Beka Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beka-mackey/) > [“My heart’s afraid it’ll have to suffer….”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/my-heart-s-afraid-it-ll-have-to-suffer/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Don't be afraid to let go of someone you love. If they aren't showing you love let go of them and find someone that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/don-t-be-afraid-to-let-go-of-someone-you-love-if-they-aren-t-showing/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Don't b afraid to let someone know how much u care... if u wait too long they might not b there when u finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-moores/don-t-b-afraid-to-let-someone-know-how-much-u-care-if-u-wait-too-long/) [Sarah Moores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-moores/) > [“Some people have to leave your life because their very presence prevents, perverts & distorts your purpose. Don't be afraid to let go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renita-bryant/some-people-have-to-leave-your-life-because-their-very-presence/) [Renita Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renita-bryant/) > [It’s better not to know so much about what things mean or how they might be interpreted or you’ll be too afraid to let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/it-s-better-not-to-know-so-much-about-what-things-mean-or-how-they/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) > [“I had turned myself inside out working on the house, and had come to love it; at least, I supposed I loved it. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-williams/i-had-turned-myself-inside-out-working-on-the-house-and-had-come-to/) [Dee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-williams/) > [Never be afraid to let go, because you never know what greater things will replace what you've lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-be-afraid-to-let-go-because-you-never-know-what-greater-things/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When u care so much about that particular person but just afraid to let your heart out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalyn/when-u-care-so-much-about-that-particular-person-but-just-afraid-to/) [Magdalyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalyn/) > [Afraid to let go of him when he's not even yours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/afraid-to-let-go-of-him-when-he-s-not-even-yours/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Cheryl McIntyre > [“Everyone should have someone that cares.Someone that doesn't give up on them.Someone to always care what they're doing.Right at this moment,I make it my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/everyone-should-have-someone-that-cares-someone-that-doesn-t-give-up/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“She cries harder and I know I should hug her, comfort her in some way, but I'm selfishly counting the pieces of my heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/she-cries-harder-and-i-know-i-should-hug-her-comfort-her-in-some-way/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“Sometimes never is distorted perception. I love you, Hope. And I'm not the only one. I know you care about me. I see it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/sometimes-never-is-distorted-perception-i-love-you-hope-and-i-m-not/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“I’m done counting days. Now because of you I’m making the days count.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-m-done-counting-days-now-because-of-you-i-m-making-the-days-count/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“I smirk at her and let my eyes graze over her body."I don't know how to be friends with someone I'm attracted to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-smirk-at-her-and-let-my-eyes-graze-over-her-body-i-don-t-know-how/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“Life lesson number 12: As your life changes, change you rules accordingly. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to living. -Park”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/life-lesson-number-12-as-your-life-changes-change-you-rules/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“I'm just going to be really honest right now because this is all new to me and I don't know how else to handle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-m-just-going-to-be-really-honest-right-now-because-this-is-all-new/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“What are you?" I hold my breath, waiting. "Broken," she murmurs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/what-are-you-i-hold-my-breath-waiting-broken-she-murmurs/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“You’re not supposed to go anywhere. Jenny said you’re grounded for getting superended.” I snort. “Damn, Hope,” Guy sings. “You got superended? I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/you-re-not-supposed-to-go-anywhere-jenny-said-you-re-grounded-for/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“Shh. Stop pushing me away. I don't want to keep fighting with you. Just accept that I care about you too much to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/shh-stop-pushing-me-away-i-don-t-want-to-keep-fighting-with-you-just/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“Nothing of worth is simple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/nothing-of-worth-is-simple/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“Playing an instrument says you have passion. Taking the time to teach someone else, especially someone younger, says you’re not only sweet, but patient.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/playing-an-instrument-says-you-have-passion-taking-the-time-to-teach/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“I love you.' 'I love you too.' She never misses an opportunity to say it. You never know when you can run out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-love-you-i-love-you-too-she-never-misses-an-opportunity-to-say-it/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“I want you to be sure I’m who you want. Because I’m not playing around here. I’m all in. I don’t know if it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-want-you-to-be-sure-i-m-who-you-want-because-i-m-not-playing-around/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) > [“What would happen if I cut there? Right across my face where everyone could see. Everyone would know. Maybe someone would finally stop me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/what-would-happen-if-i-cut-there-right-across-my-face-where-everyone/) [Cheryl McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) [Explore all 65 Cheryl McIntyre quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this way I do about you, ugh, I'm so afraid you'll realize what I am, and you'll walk away. And it'll hurt me.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cheryl McIntyre" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-this-way-i-do-about-you-ugh-i-m/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afraid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-this-way-i-do-about-you-ugh-i-m/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/cheryl-mcintyre-10446_fear_i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-thi_1118539.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm afraid that if I let myself feel this way I do about you, ugh, I'm so afraid you'll realize what I am…” — Cheryl McIntyre", "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": "Cheryl McIntyre", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-mcintyre/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I'm afraid that if I let...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-this-way-i-do-about-you-ugh-i-m/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-mcintyre/i-m-afraid-that-if-i-let-myself-feel-this-way-i-do-about-you-ugh-i-m/#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 } } ] } ```