--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was a positive side to not trying…" description: "\"There was a positive side to not trying at something: you could always pretend that your life would have been different if you had.\" — Chris Abani" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/chris-abani-7393_different_there-was-a-positive-side-to-not-trying_2151552.png" --- # There was a positive side to not trying at something: you… ![“There was a positive side to not trying at something: you could always pretend that your life would have been different if you had.” quote by Chris Abani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/chris-abani-7393_different_there-was-a-positive-side-to-not-trying_2151552.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/chris-abani-7393_different_there-was-a-positive-side-to-not-trying_2151552.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bea/chris-abani-7393_different_there-was-a-positive-side-to-not-trying_2151552.png) > “There was a positive side to not trying at something: you could always pretend that your life would have been different if you had.” [Chris Abani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-abani/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding effort can create a comforting illusion of alternate lives, but it also prevents growth and authentic experience. **In simple terms:** Not trying offers fantasy, not progress. Key Takeaway Recognize the cost of imagined alternatives. Themes self‑deception potential growth Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career choices - artistic endeavors - personal goals Key Concepts psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - What would you gain by trying? - How does imagining “what if” affect your present? A Different Perspective Avoidance leads to stagnation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-different-247691/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Positive Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-trying-2330914/) [Pretend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretend/) [Pretend Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretend-life-313771/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Trying Pretend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-pretend-1505532/) ## Related quotes > [If we are ever going to be what we want to be in life we have to be willing to work hard, be strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/if-we-are-ever-going-to-be-what-we-want-to-be-in-life-we-have-to-be/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Just go on to what you pretend is your life but please don't die on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rise-against/just-go-on-to-what-you-pretend-is-your-life-but-please-don-t-die-on-me/) [Rise Against](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rise-against/) > [“You can pretend that your life is going on when really, all along, you’re trapped in a moment you’ll never be able to change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-martin/you-can-pretend-that-your-life-is-going-on-when-really-all-along-you/) [Lee Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-martin/) > [“I’m too caught up in this…pretend life I’m so completely submersed in. 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