---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I felt a constant, low-flying…"
description: "\"I felt a constant, low-flying desperation, the kind you feel when you are trying, trying, trying to get something you will never, ever get.\" — Deb Caletti"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png"
---

#  I felt a constant, low-flying desperation, the kind you…

![“I felt a constant, low-flying desperation, the kind you feel when you are trying, trying, trying to get something you will never, ever get.” quote by Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png)

> “I felt a constant, low-flying desperation, the kind you feel when you are trying, trying, trying to get something you will never, ever get.”

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

## About This Quote

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

The speaker feels endless frustration trying to achieve an unattainable goal, leading to deep despair.

**In simple terms:** Desperate effort for impossible goals causes despair.

Key Takeaway

Recognize limits and adjust expectations.

Themes

despair effort unattainable goals

Mood

somber reflective

Type

personal emotional

When to use this quote

- career ambition
- personal relationships
- creative projects
- health goals

Key Concepts

psychology motivation self‑compassion

Questions to Reflect On

- What goals might be unrealistic for you?
- How can you set healthier expectations?

A Different Perspective

Persistent pursuit without progress can harm mental health and waste resources.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant/) [Desperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperation/) [Desperation Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperation-kind-1735351/) [Feel Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-trying-262047/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Felt Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-constant-450887/) [Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [Flying Desperation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying-desperation-1735350/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/)

## Related quotes

> [I'm not a stranger to depression and desperation. I can be kind of tortured but I do like to have a lot of fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-m-not-a-stranger-to-depression-and-desperation-i-can-be-kind-of/)

[Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/)

> [I think as a teen who was thrust into the public eye pretty quickly, I got overwhelmed easily and felt constant pressure to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-hemmings/i-think-as-a-teen-who-was-thrust-into-the-public-eye-pretty-quickly-i/)

[Luke Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-hemmings/)

> ['Betsy' is one of my favorites because it is the one to which I've imposed the least clear narrative. To me, it's so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/betsy-is-one-of-my-favorites-because-it-is-the-one-to-which-i-ve/)

[Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/)

> [So am I wrong for thinking that we could be something for real?Now am I wrong for trying to reach the things that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemis-khan/so-am-i-wrong-for-thinking-that-we-could-be-something-for-real-now-am/)

[Kemis Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemis-khan/)

> [I'm just fighting a lot of high-level guys. I feel everyone is trying to be tactical, everyone is trying to put their A-game out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-lawler/i-m-just-fighting-a-lot-of-high-level-guys-i-feel-everyone-is-trying/)

[Robbie Lawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-lawler/)

> [“You feel as if someone is trying to trick or con you, but you’re not sure. You’re faced with some significant change in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-farmer/you-feel-as-if-someone-is-trying-to-trick-or-con-you-but-you-re-not/)

[Steven Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-farmer/)

> [I feel I should be trying to complete my life, whatever 'completing a life' means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sacks/i-feel-i-should-be-trying-to-complete-my-life-whatever-completing-a/)

[Oliver Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sacks/)

> [Sometimes I feel as though I'm trying to take a hit for the team so that other people then can move forward. I'm like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-parker/sometimes-i-feel-as-though-i-m-trying-to-take-a-hit-for-the-team-so/)

[Morgan Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-parker/)

> [You can feel yourself trying too hard, doing too much. Nobody wants to watch somebody when they're needy, and actors are in the unfortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/you-can-feel-yourself-trying-too-hard-doing-too-much-nobody-wants-to/)

[Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/)

> [I feel I'm trying to get this really crap car going, and it just keeps stalling on me. And then other times I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-burchill/i-feel-i-m-trying-to-get-this-really-crap-car-going-and-it-just-keeps/)

[Julie Burchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-burchill/)

> [It is not the smallest use to try to make people good, unless you try at the same time - and they feel that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/it-is-not-the-smallest-use-to-try-to-make-people-good-unless-you-try/)

[Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/)

> [ The stress that we \[with Abilities\] always feel is trying to continue advancing with our music. That's our plight, it's ingrained in our personalities.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eyedea/the-stress-that-we-with-abilities-always-feel-is-trying-to-continue/)

[Eyedea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eyedea/)

> [Music has become really important now. It's helped me to open up more and take a chance on loving people. Music is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-ray-vaughan/music-has-become-really-important-now-it-s-helped-me-to-open-up-more/)

[Stevie Ray Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-ray-vaughan/)

> [I feel like I'm walking into quick sand I feel I'm trying way to hard so how do I show someone love with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-howard-altman/i-feel-like-i-m-walking-into-quick-sand-i-feel-i-m-trying-way-to-hard/)

[Joshua Howard Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-howard-altman/)

> [“You don’t know how it is. It’s like I’ve got this angry little person inside me, and I can feel him trying to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/you-don-t-know-how-it-is-it-s-like-i-ve-got-this-angry-little-person/)

[Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/)

## More by Deb Caletti

> [“More, much more, will happen after this. Things involving maps and books and true love and tragedy, tragedy like you wouldn't believe. But fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/more-much-more-will-happen-after-this-things-involving-maps-and-books/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“Hannah and Kayla are talking without saying anything. Their conversation goes like this: Hannah: Uh-huh. Kayla: It was like, ugh! Hannah: I know. Kayla:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/hannah-and-kayla-are-talking-without-saying-anything-their/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [Another person is, at the heart of it, unknowable. And if you cannot know a person enough to always guess what they’re capable of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/another-person-is-at-the-heart-of-it-unknowable-and-if-you-cannot/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/that-s-what-people-do-who-love-you-they-put-their-arms-around-you-and/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [If fate is a shape-shifter, then loves is too. It can be, anyway, in its most dangerous form. It´s your best day and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/if-fate-is-a-shape-shifter-then-loves-is-too-it-can-be-anyway-in-its/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [If you don't participate, you're just taking up oxygen. (Bunny) Life is a banquet. Approach it with hunger. (Chuck)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/if-you-don-t-participate-you-re-just-taking-up-oxygen-bunny-life-is-a/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“You wanted more from people sometimes. And sometimes,you wanted more from yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/you-wanted-more-from-people-sometimes-and-sometimes-you-wanted-more/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [Because that’s how it works after something terrible has happened. You know this is true if something terrible has ever happened to you. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/because-that-s-how-it-works-after-something-terrible-has-happened-you/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“Good guy. There was efficiency to male language. Those two words were what guys said about other guys that they really respected. Guys they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/good-guy-there-was-efficiency-to-male-language-those-two-words-were/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“In a world of insanity, nothing is sacred. It's an insane world, nothing is sacred.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/in-a-world-of-insanity-nothing-is-sacred-it-s-an-insane-world-nothing/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“And because he was nice in the beginning did not mean he was a good man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/and-because-he-was-nice-in-the-beginning-did-not-mean-he-was-a-good/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“I like those very realistic paintings that look like photographs, or novels that are so much like actual life that you feel understood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-like-those-very-realistic-paintings-that-look-like-photographs-or/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [This is what happens when nice people are pushed too far. We give too many chances, and so when we've finally had enough, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/this-is-what-happens-when-nice-people-are-pushed-too-far-we-give-too/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [“I confess I had a Child of Divorce Reunion Fantasy Number One Thousand, where I for a moment imagined my father finding out that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-confess-i-had-a-child-of-divorce-reunion-fantasy-number-one/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

> [so what brings you to the doctor today?" "hmm, im afraid i have the chronic desire to save people" "i know about that. i've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/so-what-brings-you-to-the-doctor-today-hmm-im-afraid-i-have-the/)

[Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

[Explore all 404 Deb Caletti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/)

## More Constant quotes

> [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [Me mum used to always have the radio on - even now she has it on in every room. Me girlfriend sort of blames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/me-mum-used-to-always-have-the-radio-on-even-now-she-has-it-on-in/)

[Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/)

> [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/)

[Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/)

> [The Only cure for nihilism is for liberal democratic societies - their electorates, their judiciary, and their political leadership- to insist that force is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/the-only-cure-for-nihilism-is-for-liberal-democratic-societies-their/)

[Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/)

> [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [As I grow through love, so grows my joy, ever more present, ever more constant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/as-i-grow-through-love-so-grows-my-joy-ever-more-present-ever-more/)

[M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/)

> [Life and death are illusions. We are in a constant state of transformation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/life-and-death-are-illusions-we-are-in-a-constant-state-of/)

[Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/)

> [People don't need sudden revelations. They get what they need when they need it, thought by thought by thought. It's a constant thing when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/people-don-t-need-sudden-revelations-they-get-what-they-need-when/)

[Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/)

> [Fishing is a constant reminder of the democracy of life, of humility, and of human frailty. The forces of nature discriminate for no man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/fishing-is-a-constant-reminder-of-the-democracy-of-life-of-humility/)

[Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/)

> [It's a constant man-ego-check going on in the streets, in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/it-s-a-constant-man-ego-check-going-on-in-the-streets-in-this-world/)

[Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/)

> [Research is an organized method of trying to find out what you are going to do after you cannot do what you are doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kettering/research-is-an-organized-method-of-trying-to-find-out-what-you-are/)

[Charles Kettering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kettering/)

> [I believe it's true that there's good and evil in everyone and it's a constant struggle to have your better angels prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-friedkin/i-believe-it-s-true-that-there-s-good-and-evil-in-everyone-and-it-s-a/)

[William Friedkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-friedkin/)

> [You're a constant student, as a musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-bell/you-re-a-constant-student-as-a-musician/)

[Joshua Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-bell/)

> [Intimacy requires an ability to both merge and be separate, to come together and be apart, like oscillating on a giant swing from oneness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-sophia-kasl/intimacy-requires-an-ability-to-both-merge-and-be-separate-to-come/)

[Charlotte Sophia Kasl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-sophia-kasl/)

[Browse all 3,025 Constant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I felt a constant, low-flying desperation, the kind you feel when you are trying, trying, trying to get something you will never, ever get.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Deb Caletti"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation-the-kind-you-feel-when-you/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Constant"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation-the-kind-you-feel-when-you/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/528/deb-caletti-697_constant_i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation_1765985.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I felt a constant, low-flying desperation, the kind you feel when you are trying, trying, trying to get…” — Deb Caletti",
                "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": "Deb Caletti",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I felt a constant, low-flying desperation,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation-the-kind-you-feel-when-you/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/i-felt-a-constant-low-flying-desperation-the-kind-you-feel-when-you/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
