--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went through a few phases of finding…" description: "\"I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled in musical theater, chess club, dance troupe, splatter-painting, school mascot (go Wildcats), ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png" --- # I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled… ![“I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled in musical theater, chess club, dance troupe, splatter-painting, school mascot (go Wildcats), babysitter, photojournalist, drill team girl, emo kid - and not one of them defined me, but every single one will always play a part in who I am.” quote by Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png) > “I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled in musical theater, chess club, dance troupe, splatter-painting, school mascot (go Wildcats), babysitter, photojournalist, drill team girl, emo kid - and not one of them defined me, but every single one will always play a part in who I am.” [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes exploring many activities, none defining identity alone, but each contributing to a complex self. **In simple terms:** Various experiences shape identity; no single role defines you. Key Takeaway Embrace diverse experiences to build self. Themes identity self-discovery diversity Mood introspective motivational Type personal development inspirational When to use this quote - career exploration - hobbies - team sports - creative arts Key Concepts psychology of identity personal growth Questions to Reflect On - Which experience impacted you most? - How do you integrate varied roles into a cohesive self? A Different Perspective Focusing on many roles may dilute depth in any one. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Babysitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/babysitter/) [Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chess/) [Club](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/club/) [Dabbled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dabbled-2932441/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Defined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defined/) [Drill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drill/) [Every](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every/) [Few](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/few/) [Finding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finding/) [Finding Dabbled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finding-dabbled-5881335/) [Finding myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finding-myself/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kid/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Musical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical/) [Musical theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/musical-theater/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Part](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/part/) [Phases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phases/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Single](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/single/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/through/) [Went Phases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/went-phases-3266612/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) ## Related quotes > [I wanted to be all sorts of things. I went through phases. I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to be a lawyer.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-streeting/i-wanted-to-be-all-sorts-of-things-i-went-through-phases-i-wanted-to/) [Wes Streeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-streeting/) > [I went through so many phases because I moved schools a lot. I grew up primarily in Connecticut, but also here in L.A. for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mamie-gummer/i-went-through-so-many-phases-because-i-moved-schools-a-lot-i-grew-up/) [Mamie Gummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mamie-gummer/) > [Like a lot of us, I went through some phases on the way to finding what I felt comfortable in as myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-halpern/like-a-lot-of-us-i-went-through-some-phases-on-the-way-to-finding/) [Tucker Halpern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-halpern/) > [I went through phases of odd hairstyles and tank top-over-tee outfits and stuff like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-went-through-phases-of-odd-hairstyles-and-tank-top-over-tee-outfits/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've always been a fan of magic. When I was younger, I dabbled in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/i-ve-always-been-a-fan-of-magic-when-i-was-younger-i-dabbled-in-it/) [Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/) > [I'd always dabbled in acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelsan-ellis/i-d-always-dabbled-in-acting/) [Nelsan Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelsan-ellis/) > [I dabbled in verse and it became my life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-kavanagh/i-dabbled-in-verse-and-it-became-my-life/) [Patrick Kavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-kavanagh/) > [I've always dabbled. I've always nearly written a book, I've always tried painting, I've always tried to make something out of ideas, really. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-ve-always-dabbled-i-ve-always-nearly-written-a-book-i-ve-always/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I cannot escape the feeling that I was, at best, a cancer tourist, that my survival means I dabbled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rakoff/i-cannot-escape-the-feeling-that-i-was-at-best-a-cancer-tourist-that/) [David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rakoff/) > [I've dabbled in several different religions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-hall/i-ve-dabbled-in-several-different-religions/) [Jerry Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-hall/) > [Drill your soldiers well, and give them a pattern yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-suvorov/drill-your-soldiers-well-and-give-them-a-pattern-yourself/) [Alexander Suvorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-suvorov/) > [The combination of landing the biggest interview of my career and having a drill in my back reminds me that God only gives us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-roberts/the-combination-of-landing-the-biggest-interview-of-my-career-and/) [Robin Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-roberts/) > [I often attribute my screenwriting to journalism because they drill in the who, what, when, where and why - but we really need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-often-attribute-my-screenwriting-to-journalism-because-they-drill/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [“NormnAl, "Like, Share, Follow and subscribe" - The typical cliche drill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/normnal-like-share-follow-and-subscribe-the-typical-cliche-drill/) [Deyth Banger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deyth-banger/) > [Drill in exact translation is an excellent way of disposing the mind against that looseness and exaggeration with which the sensationalists have corrupted our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-weaver/drill-in-exact-translation-is-an-excellent-way-of-disposing-the-mind/) [Richard M. Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-weaver/) ## More by Debby Ryan > [I was raised to volunteer: nursing homes, clinics, church nurseries, school, everywhere that could use help. It's such an intrinsic part of me, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-was-raised-to-volunteer-nursing-homes-clinics-church-nurseries/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [Everyday's a battle against; everyday's a fight for. Everyday is collaged with shadows cast in everyday's sunrise. Everyday is a new chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/everyday-s-a-battle-against-everyday-s-a-fight-for-everyday-is/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I'm very practical and realistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-m-very-practical-and-realistic/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I wouldn't do the music thing if it weren't for my brother, who's a producer. He understands me and helps my vision come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-wouldn-t-do-the-music-thing-if-it-weren-t-for-my-brother-who-s-a/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I'm definitely interested in making more music and uploading new covers; I like to take suggestions because it's more fun if people know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-m-definitely-interested-in-making-more-music-and-uploading-new/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [Music is such an intensely personal thing for me, and I knew if I was going to do it, it would be in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/music-is-such-an-intensely-personal-thing-for-me-and-i-knew-if-i-was/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I work with kids, and I see certain things, so I realize now why my mother was so horrified and overprotective of everything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-work-with-kids-and-i-see-certain-things-so-i-realize-now-why-my/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I can look back at things I've done and said and worn and be completely humiliated by them, but I can never say it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-can-look-back-at-things-i-ve-done-and-said-and-worn-and-be/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I went to school on a military base in Germany. I got a lot of my clothes at the army surplus store.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-went-to-school-on-a-military-base-in-germany-i-got-a-lot-of-my/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [You can't force music; It just has to come to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/you-can-t-force-music-it-just-has-to-come-to-you/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [I don't call myself a singer, I'm a voice, lent to music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-don-t-call-myself-a-singer-i-m-a-voice-lent-to-music/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [With the pay gap in Hollywood, I think it's very easy to say - 'oh, what are they complaining for? They're making millions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/with-the-pay-gap-in-hollywood-i-think-it-s-very-easy-to-say-oh-what/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [ If I'm wearing jeans all day at work, it's \[hard\] to slip into a dress and make yourself feel like you were born in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/if-i-m-wearing-jeans-all-day-at-work-it-s-hard-to-slip-into-a-dress/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [My brother plays guitar and base and writes. His name is Chase Ryan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/my-brother-plays-guitar-and-base-and-writes-his-name-is-chase-ryan/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [The easiest way to not believe your own hype is to not know what people are saying about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/the-easiest-way-to-not-believe-your-own-hype-is-to-not-know-what/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) [Explore all 80 Debby Ryan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) ## 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": "I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled in musical theater, chess club, dance troupe, splatter-painting, school mascot (go Wildcats), babysitter, photojournalist, drill team girl, emo kid - and not one of them defined me, but every single one will always play a part in who I am.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Debby Ryan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-myself-i-dabbled-in-musical/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-myself-i-dabbled-in-musical/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/debby-ryan-8446_always_i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-m_2378215.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I went through a few phases of finding myself: I dabbled in musical theater, chess club, dance troupe…” — Debby Ryan", "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": "Debby Ryan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I went through a few phases...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-myself-i-dabbled-in-musical/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-went-through-a-few-phases-of-finding-myself-i-dabbled-in-musical/#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 } } ] } ```