--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first thing that happens is that…" description: "\"The first thing that happens is that you're overwhelmed by so much attention. It's just so unnatural. Only people who've been in that position can real..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d11/chevy-chase-10619_attention_the-first-thing-that-happens-is-that-you_2135458.jpg" --- # The first thing that happens is that you're overwhelmed by… ![“The first thing that happens is that you're overwhelmed by so much attention. It's just so unnatural. Only people who've been in that position can realize what it's like. I mean, you have to be there.” quote by Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d11/chevy-chase-10619_attention_the-first-thing-that-happens-is-that-you_2135458.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d11/chevy-chase-10619_attention_the-first-thing-that-happens-is-that-you_2135458.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d11/chevy-chase-10619_attention_the-first-thing-that-happens-is-that-you_2135458.jpg) > “The first thing that happens is that you're overwhelmed by so much attention. It's just so unnatural. Only people who've been in that position can realize what it's like. I mean, you have to be there.” [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense attention overwhelms; only those who experience it truly understand. **In simple terms:** Overexposure feels unnatural. Key Takeaway Find balance in attention. Themes attention overwhelm privacy Mood anxious reflective Type observational inspirational When to use this quote - celebrity life - social media use - public speaking - workplace visibility Key Concepts psychology media studies Questions to Reflect On - How do you protect personal space? - What strategies help manage public scrutiny? A Different Perspective Attention can also bring opportunity and influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Attention Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention-just-1457340/) [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [First thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-thing/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Happens Overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens-overwhelmed-4421333/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Overwhelmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed/) [Overwhelmed Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelmed-attention-4421332/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize/) [The first thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-first-thing/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Unnatural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unnatural/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [I always try not to be overwhelmed by the attention and the bigness of this whole thing of being identified the best in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/i-always-try-not-to-be-overwhelmed-by-the-attention-and-the-bigness/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I look at is the checking account report from the day before. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stumpf/when-i-wake-up-in-the-morning-the-first-thing-i-look-at-is-the/) [John Stumpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stumpf/) > [When I started writing, the first thing that came out was in English. I liked a few French things, but they were very overwhelming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mars/when-i-started-writing-the-first-thing-that-came-out-was-in-english-i/) [Thomas Mars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mars/) > [I had just got back from skiing, and I was just hanging out, browsing the Internet, and I found some article that was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-goepper/i-had-just-got-back-from-skiing-and-i-was-just-hanging-out-browsing/) [Nick Goepper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-goepper/) > [The first thing one notices about Jill Abramson is her short stature. The second is her intensity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/the-first-thing-one-notices-about-jill-abramson-is-her-short-stature/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [The first thing you have to understand is that I was not desperate to be a writer. I was never a closet writer filing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikas-swarup/the-first-thing-you-have-to-understand-is-that-i-was-not-desperate-to/) [Vikas Swarup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikas-swarup/) > [When I was growing up in Chicago, my family and I used to go to a local chain, Hackney's, for burgers and their French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/when-i-was-growing-up-in-chicago-my-family-and-i-used-to-go-to-a/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [The first thing I do after work is take off my TV makeup with a gentle cleanser. I also try to exfoliate twice a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-morales/the-first-thing-i-do-after-work-is-take-off-my-tv-makeup-with-a/) [Natalie Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-morales/) > [Most of the roles that I go for are Americans, so the first thing I had to do was pin down the American accent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-jackson/most-of-the-roles-that-i-go-for-are-americans-so-the-first-thing-i/) [Sasha Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-jackson/) > [The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/the-first-thing-when-i-read-the-script-is-that-i-need-to-care-about/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [The first thing you have to get used to in any kind of acting is the ability to make a fool of yourself. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/the-first-thing-you-have-to-get-used-to-in-any-kind-of-acting-is-the/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I think that the first thing is you should have a strategic asset allocation mix that assumes that you don't know what the future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-think-that-the-first-thing-is-you-should-have-a-strategic-asset/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [I grew up in Harlem. My grandmother was one of the best cooks around, but the first thing she did on Sunday mornings when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-grew-up-in-harlem-my-grandmother-was-one-of-the-best-cooks-around/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [The first thing I hear when I wake up is the sea, which is so close to our house that its reflections from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-brown/the-first-thing-i-hear-when-i-wake-up-is-the-sea-which-is-so-close-to/) [Craig Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-brown/) > [Oh, I'm a great believer in the power of the pause. Radio is a bit brasher now. My style was slower. I just used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-wogan/oh-i-m-a-great-believer-in-the-power-of-the-pause-radio-is-a-bit/) [Terry Wogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-wogan/) ## More by Chevy Chase > [You can't observe as much if you're observed by others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/you-can-t-observe-as-much-if-you-re-observed-by-others/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [Last good pratfall I did, I broke bones in both hands. I still feel it when people shake my hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/last-good-pratfall-i-did-i-broke-bones-in-both-hands-i-still-feel-it/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [What makes a home home? Animals, and a little bit of clutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/what-makes-a-home-home-animals-and-a-little-bit-of-clutter/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [Step by step, we will break this cycle of silence, poor information and stigma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/step-by-step-we-will-break-this-cycle-of-silence-poor-information-and/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [I think the Clintons are brilliant. I've never met a person as intelligent as Bill, and I think Hillary is right up there with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/i-think-the-clintons-are-brilliant-i-ve-never-met-a-person-as/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [Television doesn't make stars. It's the written media, the press, that makes stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/television-doesn-t-make-stars-it-s-the-written-media-the-press-that/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [Marge is a terrible name for a mistress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/marge-is-a-terrible-name-for-a-mistress/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [The best advice I can give you about falling is to never land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/the-best-advice-i-can-give-you-about-falling-is-to-never-land/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [We never could have performed live for an hour and a half every week if we were doing drugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/we-never-could-have-performed-live-for-an-hour-and-a-half-every-week/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [Parrots make great pets. They have more personality than goldfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/parrots-make-great-pets-they-have-more-personality-than-goldfish/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [All my children inherited perfect pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/all-my-children-inherited-perfect-pitch/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [It took me 20 years of making movies to learn how to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/it-took-me-20-years-of-making-movies-to-learn-how-to-do-it/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [With Clinton, there's no question that I would have made fun of his out-and-out lying. But he's also a good friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/with-clinton-there-s-no-question-that-i-would-have-made-fun-of-his/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [Break as few bones as possible and make as much noise as you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/break-as-few-bones-as-possible-and-make-as-much-noise-as-you-can/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) > [It's never a good idea for a celebrity to sign autographs or take pictures if a crowd is gathering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chevy-chase/it-s-never-a-good-idea-for-a-celebrity-to-sign-autographs-or-take/) [Chevy Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) [Explore all 64 Chevy Chase quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chevy-chase/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The first thing that happens is that you're overwhelmed by so much attention. 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