--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For so long I have always wanted to be…" description: "\"For so long I have always wanted to be different. Now I realize I just need to be myself.\" — Da'Vine Joy Randolph" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ff/da-vine-joy-randolph-4712_always_for-so-long-i-have-always-wanted-to-be-d_1543535.jpg" --- # For so long I have always wanted to be different. Now I… ![“For so long I have always wanted to be different. Now I realize I just need to be myself.” quote by Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ff/da-vine-joy-randolph-4712_always_for-so-long-i-have-always-wanted-to-be-d_1543535.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ff/da-vine-joy-randolph-4712_always_for-so-long-i-have-always-wanted-to-be-d_1543535.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ff/da-vine-joy-randolph-4712_always_for-so-long-i-have-always-wanted-to-be-d_1543535.jpg) > “For so long I have always wanted to be different. Now I realize I just need to be myself.” [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The desire to stand out often masks the simple truth that authenticity is enough. **In simple terms:** Being yourself is sufficient. Key Takeaway Embrace your true self. Themes authenticity self‑acceptance identity confidence Mood reflective empowering Type motivational personal development When to use this quote - career networking - personal relationships - creative projects - public speaking Key Concepts personal growth psychology social pressure Questions to Reflect On - What would change if you stopped trying to be different? - How does authenticity affect your relationships? A Different Perspective Sometimes external expectations pressure conformity, making authenticity feel risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Be different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-different/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-realize-2773939/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/now/) [Now I Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/now-i-realize/) [Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize/) [Realize Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize-just-838862/) [Wanted Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-different/) ## Related quotes > [It was one thing to accept I couldn't have Dimitri. It was something entirely different to realize someone else could.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/it-was-one-thing-to-accept-i-couldn-t-have-dimitri-it-was-something/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [When I look back on my knee-jerk reactions now, I realize I should have just taken a breath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/when-i-look-back-on-my-knee-jerk-reactions-now-i-realize-i-should/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [I wanted to be different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boney-kapoor/i-wanted-to-be-different/) [Boney Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boney-kapoor/) > [I always wanted to be different. I always wanted to be first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miuccia-prada/i-always-wanted-to-be-different-i-always-wanted-to-be-first/) [Miuccia Prada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miuccia-prada/) > [I just wanted to be different; I didn't wanna sound like anybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/biz-markie/i-just-wanted-to-be-different-i-didn-t-wanna-sound-like-anybody-else/) [Biz Markie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/biz-markie/) > [I think I've always wanted to be different from everybody else. I get really annoyed when I do something and everybody else does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadia-ali/i-think-i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-different-from-everybody-else-i-get/) [Nadia Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadia-ali/) > [I wanted to wear fingerless gloves at my confirmation. I think I always wanted to be different and felt very stifled at school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suranne-jones/i-wanted-to-wear-fingerless-gloves-at-my-confirmation-i-think-i/) [Suranne Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suranne-jones/) > [We wanted to prove to everybody that we weren't the same old Tessa and Scott, trying to do the same tricks again. We wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-moir/we-wanted-to-prove-to-everybody-that-we-weren-t-the-same-old-tessa/) [Scott Moir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-moir/) > [I was always a guy who could score the ball as a kid, but everybody wanted to score. And I always wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/i-was-always-a-guy-who-could-score-the-ball-as-a-kid-but-everybody/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [I went through that phase where I wanted to almost be different than my brother. Just kind of argued a little louder or if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-manning/i-went-through-that-phase-where-i-wanted-to-almost-be-different-than/) [Eli Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-manning/) > [I wanted to be different and went in for roles with substance after my first film itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nizhalgal-ravi/i-wanted-to-be-different-and-went-in-for-roles-with-substance-after/) [Nizhalgal Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nizhalgal-ravi/) > [There were times I was told, 'You are too gay.' I turned down a lot of things because producers said they wanted me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-mathews/there-were-times-i-was-told-you-are-too-gay-i-turned-down-a-lot-of/) [Ross Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-mathews/) > [If you love someone but your someone loves someone else, still be the same someone as before. because the time will come when your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharlene05/if-you-love-someone-but-your-someone-loves-someone-else-still-be-the/) [Sharlene05](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharlene05/) > [Now I realize how ugly I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-sandler/now-i-realize-how-ugly-i-am/) [Adam Sandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-sandler/) > [I used to take it personally when a casting director didn't like me or I didn't get picked for something. Now I realize you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-mccormick/i-used-to-take-it-personally-when-a-casting-director-didn-t-like-me/) [Sierra McCormick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-mccormick/) ## More by Da'Vine Joy Randolph > [For my personal boundaries, I don't look at critiques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/for-my-personal-boundaries-i-don-t-look-at-critiques/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [Laughter, to me, was the currency. It gave me agency within my home, as well as out in the world at a young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/laughter-to-me-was-the-currency-it-gave-me-agency-within-my-home-as/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [Love makes people do crazy stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/love-makes-people-do-crazy-stuff/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [As a woman of color, I always pay homage to my ancestors and elders - in the industry in particular - who have paved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/as-a-woman-of-color-i-always-pay-homage-to-my-ancestors-and-elders-in/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [As a supporting actress, my job is almost like a boxer in the ring, to observe what my opponent is doing and learn how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/as-a-supporting-actress-my-job-is-almost-like-a-boxer-in-the-ring-to/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [I never aim to be funny. I'm always just focused on telling the story authentically, and if that affects people sometimes through laughter, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/i-never-aim-to-be-funny-i-m-always-just-focused-on-telling-the-story/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [Every two weeks, every Friday on the dot, I would go into my dean's office and be like, 'listen, this is the standard that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/every-two-weeks-every-friday-on-the-dot-i-would-go-into-my-dean-s/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [What gives me the most joy is cooking for other people. I look up five different recipes from five different sources to compare. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/what-gives-me-the-most-joy-is-cooking-for-other-people-i-look-up-five/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [I'm just attracted to human behavior and how people sometimes never would interact with one another or be in each other's sphere of awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/i-m-just-attracted-to-human-behavior-and-how-people-sometimes-never/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [I will always pay tribute to, honor, uplift and be a part of Black storytelling, but I need to infiltrate and get in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/i-will-always-pay-tribute-to-honor-uplift-and-be-a-part-of-black/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [I'm a woman of color. And then on top of that, a woman of color who is curvy. Those stories don't get told often.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/i-m-a-woman-of-color-and-then-on-top-of-that-a-woman-of-color-who-is/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [Usually, when I get hit with inspiration hard - I don't know, maybe it's impulsive - but I'm the type of person where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/usually-when-i-get-hit-with-inspiration-hard-i-don-t-know-maybe-it-s/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [I think creating a recipe that tastes good is art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/i-think-creating-a-recipe-that-tastes-good-is-art/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [No one in my family acts or sings - nothing. There's no sense of entertainment in my family. Sometimes I feel like an oddball,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/no-one-in-my-family-acts-or-sings-nothing-there-s-no-sense-of/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) > [Every time I think I'm in control and trying to do something, it doesn't work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/da-vine-joy-randolph/every-time-i-think-i-m-in-control-and-trying-to-do-something-it-doesn/) [Da'Vine Joy Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) [Explore all 107 Da'Vine Joy Randolph quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/da-vine-joy-randolph/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For so long I have always wanted to be different. 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