--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're in survival mode, you numb…" description: "\"When you're in survival mode, you numb yourself.\" — Clemantine Wamariya" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg" --- # When you're in survival mode, you numb yourself. ![“When you're in survival mode, you numb yourself.” quote by Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg) > “When you're in survival mode, you numb yourself.” [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Survival mode leads to emotional numbness as a coping mechanism to endure hardship. **In simple terms:** Survival numbs emotions. Key Takeaway Seek healing after crisis. Themes trauma survival psychology Mood somber hopeful Type psychological reflective When to use this quote - post‑war adjustment - stressful jobs - personal crises Key Concepts resilience emotional health Questions to Reflect On - How can one regain feeling after survival? - What practices restore emotional awareness? A Different Perspective The quote may not address long‑term effects. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mode/) [Mode Numb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mode-numb-5136621/) [Numb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numb/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Survival mode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival-mode/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) [Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yourself/) ## Related quotes > [There was a period of time during the 'Jagged Little Pill' era where I don't think I laughed for about two years. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/there-was-a-period-of-time-during-the-jagged-little-pill-era-where-i/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [When I'm pressured, I have to click into survival mode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chi-chi-devayne/when-i-m-pressured-i-have-to-click-into-survival-mode/) [Chi Chi DeVayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chi-chi-devayne/) > [So I always respected the guys who were trying to do it on their own without taking a handout from a big organization. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-sydal/so-i-always-respected-the-guys-who-were-trying-to-do-it-on-their-own/) [Matt Sydal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-sydal/) > [“My milk had burst onto the scene with a vengeance, and eating became the baby’s new vocation. The next two weeks of her life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/my-milk-had-burst-onto-the-scene-with-a-vengeance-and-eating-became/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [“Life is a useless passion, an exciting journey of a mammal in survival mode. Each day is a miracle, a blessing unexplored and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohadesa-najumi/life-is-a-useless-passion-an-exciting-journey-of-a-mammal-in-survival/) [Mohadesa Najumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohadesa-najumi/) > [“The turning point is the moment we recognize that survival mode has become our default, and that this is not a sustainable or fulfilling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-lucas-d-shallua/the-turning-point-is-the-moment-we-recognize-that-survival-mode-has/) [Dr. Lucas D. Shallua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-lucas-d-shallua/) > [Every wall seems to be crashing down.. you feel helpless and afraid...Survival mode kicks in...and you live another day..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnberry/every-wall-seems-to-be-crashing-down-you-feel-helpless-and-afraid/) [Mnberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnberry/) > [We did everything we could to save my legs, and it just came to a point where if we didn't amputate my legs, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-purdy/we-did-everything-we-could-to-save-my-legs-and-it-just-came-to-a/) [Amy Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-purdy/) > [“With his release imminent, Knight seems more unsettled than ever. He scratches furiously at his knees. Jail, he's realized, might not be all bad.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-finkel/with-his-release-imminent-knight-seems-more-unsettled-than-ever-he/) [Michael Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-finkel/) > [“The habits you created to survive will no longer serve you when it's time to thrive. Get out of survival mode. New habits. New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eboni-davis/the-habits-you-created-to-survive-will-no-longer-serve-you-when-it-s/) [Eboni Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eboni-davis/) > [“The experience of childhood sexual abuse leaves some survivors with a high tolerance for pain. Dysfunctional environments require endurance and thick skin. Child survivors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosenna-bakari/the-experience-of-childhood-sexual-abuse-leaves-some-survivors-with-a/) [Rosenna Bakari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosenna-bakari/) > [If something happens and you're behind, and you get hit in the mouth early like that, you have two options: You can either pack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/if-something-happens-and-you-re-behind-and-you-get-hit-in-the-mouth/) [Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/) > [“felt as though my body had been switched into some kind of perverted survival mode, where it wanted to fuck itself unconscious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/felt-as-though-my-body-had-been-switched-into-some-kind-of-perverted/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It happens so quick. You lose a game; you lose another game; it's a World Cup; media scrutiny; public expectation, and then you almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-arthur/it-happens-so-quick-you-lose-a-game-you-lose-another-game-it-s-a/) [Mickey Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-arthur/) > [“Being in a state of denial is a universally human response to situations which threaten to overwhelm. People who were abused as children sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-e-olson/being-in-a-state-of-denial-is-a-universally-human-response-to/) [Sarah E. Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-e-olson/) ## More by Clemantine Wamariya > [If we believe that a person seeking refuge is to be pitied, feared, despised, and looked down upon, we are doing ourselves a disservice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/if-we-believe-that-a-person-seeking-refuge-is-to-be-pitied-feared/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [No matter what is happening in your life, you always offer tea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/no-matter-what-is-happening-in-your-life-you-always-offer-tea/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [Always strive to be a better you for you and for other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/always-strive-to-be-a-better-you-for-you-and-for-other/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [If you want to learn about the history of a people, eat their food and drink their beverages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/if-you-want-to-learn-about-the-history-of-a-people-eat-their-food-and/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [My day-to-day varies. I do some public speaking. I talk to school groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/my-day-to-day-varies-i-do-some-public-speaking-i-talk-to-school-groups/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [Make your education personal. When it matters to you, you will show up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/make-your-education-personal-when-it-matters-to-you-you-will-show-up/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [To the young girl who fails to see opportunities around her: Awaken the intellectual curiosity within you. Go on, search for those opportunities and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/to-the-young-girl-who-fails-to-see-opportunities-around-her-awaken/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [I am thankful to those who've listened to my story over and over as well as those who've helped me share it. For me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/i-am-thankful-to-those-who-ve-listened-to-my-story-over-and-over-as/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [Being able to connect with other humans is something I've done since I was little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/being-able-to-connect-with-other-humans-is-something-i-ve-done-since/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [Sharing presumes and creates equality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/sharing-presumes-and-creates-equality/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [The idea of somebody suffering is really painful to every human. In our collective language, we all too often see those who are suffering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/the-idea-of-somebody-suffering-is-really-painful-to-every-human-in/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [It's taken a lot of years for me to learn how to share my story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/it-s-taken-a-lot-of-years-for-me-to-learn-how-to-share-my-story/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [We are all neighbors. Be kind. Be gentle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/we-are-all-neighbors-be-kind-be-gentle/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [Set goals but be flexible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/set-goals-but-be-flexible/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) > [Everything I own in my closet has a story. Stuff is not just stuff - things were given to me with love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/everything-i-own-in-my-closet-has-a-story-stuff-is-not-just-stuff/) [Clemantine Wamariya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) [Explore all 71 Clemantine Wamariya quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/) ## More Mode quotes > [There are definite reference points to older Depeche Mode records.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gore/there-are-definite-reference-points-to-older-depeche-mode-records/) [Martin Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gore/) > [Sometimes I can switch into clever mode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lingard/sometimes-i-can-switch-into-clever-mode/) [Jesse Lingard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lingard/) > [In the 1950s and early 1960s, psychoanalysis swept through the intellectual community, and it was the dominant mode of thinking about the mind. People…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kandel/in-the-1950s-and-early-1960s-psychoanalysis-swept-through-the/) [Eric Kandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kandel/) > [I know this will blow your mind, but most people would probably never ever get it, but I listen to classical music when nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanilla-ice/i-know-this-will-blow-your-mind-but-most-people-would-probably-never/) [Vanilla Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanilla-ice/) > [I've noticed that the more adventurous and in that mode that I am, it seems that the more the audience really likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chick-corea/i-ve-noticed-that-the-more-adventurous-and-in-that-mode-that-i-am-it/) [Chick Corea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chick-corea/) > [If we're given a number of circumstances to deal with, the brain goes into this mode of trying to find a solution, and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-brion/if-we-re-given-a-number-of-circumstances-to-deal-with-the-brain-goes/) [Jon Brion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-brion/) > [When I'm at home, I am in full Dad mode, and I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ant-middleton/when-i-m-at-home-i-am-in-full-dad-mode-and-i-love-it/) [Ant Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ant-middleton/) > [I think the way the audience takes the Indian film-star is a little different from the way the audience takes the Western star there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-the-way-the-audience-takes-the-indian-film-star-is-a-little/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know when it's getting close to game time, I create a different playlist for each and every game. Before the game, to game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-newton/i-know-when-it-s-getting-close-to-game-time-i-create-a-different/) [Cam Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-newton/) > [The love of their country is with them only a mode of flattering its master; as soon as they think that master can no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-custine/the-love-of-their-country-is-with-them-only-a-mode-of-flattering-its/) [Marquis De Custine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-custine/) > [I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-can-only-say-that-there-is-not-a-man-living-who-wishes-more/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [I really believe that the more distractions and fixes I remove from my life, the better I'll feel about myself. The biggest of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-really-believe-that-the-more-distractions-and-fixes-i-remove-from/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [I decided I like that mode. It's how I think - it's my voice. I like being funny and sad at the same time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-olin-unferth/i-decided-i-like-that-mode-it-s-how-i-think-it-s-my-voice-i-like/) [Deb Olin Unferth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-olin-unferth/) > [When I'm in the mode of feeling positive about love, I don't really feel the need to mark it down in song. In fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-m-in-the-mode-of-feeling-positive-about-love-i-don-t-really/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Film is really the one art form that can effectively use silence. Music and theater can play with silence, but they can't sustain silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-murch/film-is-really-the-one-art-form-that-can-effectively-use-silence/) [Walter Murch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-murch/) [Browse all 125 Mode quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mode/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you're in survival mode, you numb yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clemantine Wamariya" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yourself/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Mode" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yourself/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/clemantine-wamariya-9617_mode_when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yo_3061472.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you're in survival mode, you numb yourself.” — Clemantine Wamariya", "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": "Clemantine Wamariya", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clemantine-wamariya/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you're in survival mode, you...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yourself/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clemantine-wamariya/when-you-re-in-survival-mode-you-numb-yourself/#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 } } ] } ```