---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is the thing they don't tell you…"
description: "\"This is the thing they don't tell you about being a third wheel - it's not like you're the wheel that's added on. You were one of the original two whee..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/david-levithan-67_fine_this-is-the-thing-they-don-t-tell-you-ab_1491045.jpg"
---

#  This is the thing they don't tell you about being a third…

![“This is the thing they don't tell you about being a third wheel - it's not like you're the wheel that's added on. You were one of the original two wheels, but suddenly you're not so important anymore. The relationship drives fine without you.” quote by David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/david-levithan-67_fine_this-is-the-thing-they-don-t-tell-you-ab_1491045.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/david-levithan-67_fine_this-is-the-thing-they-don-t-tell-you-ab_1491045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/637/david-levithan-67_fine_this-is-the-thing-they-don-t-tell-you-ab_1491045.jpg)

> “This is the thing they don't tell you about being a third wheel - it's not like you're the wheel that's added on. You were one of the original two wheels, but suddenly you're not so important anymore. The relationship drives fine without you.”

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Feeling sidelined in a relationship can feel like losing relevance when the partnership continues smoothly without you.

**In simple terms:** Feeling left out when a partnership still works.

Key Takeaway

Recognize your value beyond others' perceptions.

Themes

relationships identity belonging

Mood

lonely reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- friendships
- romantic partnerships
- team projects
- family gatherings

Key Concepts

self‑worth social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you maintain self‑esteem when excluded?
- What roles can you embrace that aren’t dependent on others?

A Different Perspective

Your importance isn’t defined by others’ needs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anymore Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anymore-relationship-2112137/) [Fine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Like you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-you/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Relationship Drives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-drives-652830/) [Tell Wheel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-wheel-5449146/) [Thirds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirds/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two wheels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-wheels/) [Wheel Added](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wheel-added-5449145/) [Wheels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wheels/) [Without you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/without-you/)

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## More by David Levithan

> [“When you jump, all you're going to do is fall. But leaping? Leaping is when you think there's something on the other side.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/when-you-jump-all-you-re-going-to-do-is-fall-but-leaping-leaping-is/)

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> [ I\] k\[n\]ow youre b\[e\]tt\[e\]r off without me. \[D\]ont worr\[y\] ab\[o\]\[u\]t me. Im fine. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinku-razoria/i-k-n-ow-youre-b-e-tt-e-r-off-without-me-d-ont-worr-y-ab-o-u-t-me-im/)

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