--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was growing up, I always wanted to…" description: "\"When I was growing up, I always wanted to be somebody else and live somewhere else. I've always felt a little uncomfortable around people.\" — Donald Ra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/donald-ray-pollock-7796_always_when-i-was-growing-up-i-always-wanted-to_341498.png" --- # When I was growing up, I always wanted to be somebody else… ![“When I was growing up, I always wanted to be somebody else and live somewhere else. I've always felt a little uncomfortable around people.” quote by Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/donald-ray-pollock-7796_always_when-i-was-growing-up-i-always-wanted-to_341498.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/donald-ray-pollock-7796_always_when-i-was-growing-up-i-always-wanted-to_341498.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/099/donald-ray-pollock-7796_always_when-i-was-growing-up-i-always-wanted-to_341498.png) > “When I was growing up, I always wanted to be somebody else and live somewhere else. I've always felt a little uncomfortable around people.” [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A yearning for a different identity and place reflects deep dissatisfaction with one's current self and surroundings. **In simple terms:** Desire to be someone else shows discomfort with self. Key Takeaway Explore and accept your true self. Themes identity discontent self‑acceptance Mood reflective melancholic Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - career change - social anxiety - relocation - personal growth Key Concepts psychology existential longing Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of yourself feel authentic? - How can you find belonging where you are? A Different Perspective Desire may stem from fear of confronting personal flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Uncomfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of judges overruling presidents on national security matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/i-m-a-little-uncomfortable-with-the-idea-of-judges-overruling/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [Sex scenes are always a little uncomfortable at first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dakota-johnson/sex-scenes-are-always-a-little-uncomfortable-at-first/) [Dakota Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dakota-johnson/) > [I was with one at a time with the other four watching. It was a little uncomfortable, actually. I wouldn't recommend five at once.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/i-was-with-one-at-a-time-with-the-other-four-watching-it-was-a-little/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [The whole culture of wearing flags on our lapel and saying 'we' when referring to the United States and, even the 'shock and awe'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-couric/the-whole-culture-of-wearing-flags-on-our-lapel-and-saying-we-when/) [Katie Couric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-couric/) > [I feel a little uncomfortable at being asked the sorts of questions that other Catholics in public life tend not to be asked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-abbott/i-feel-a-little-uncomfortable-at-being-asked-the-sorts-of-questions/) [Tony Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-abbott/) > [“This is going to be a little uncomfortable”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-lovric/this-is-going-to-be-a-little-uncomfortable/) [Michelle Lovric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-lovric/) > [... It's hard to make changes. Things get so comfortable and you don't want to move. Maybe it would do you good to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-steel/it-s-hard-to-make-changes-things-get-so-comfortable-and-you-don-t/) [Danielle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-steel/) > [“Uncomfortable.Lord. I’ve been doing the comfortable thing my whole life, it seems like. And what did it get me? I think it’s about time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-edwards/uncomfortable-lord-i-ve-been-doing-the-comfortable-thing-my-whole/) [Louisa Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-edwards/) > [I feel a little uncomfortable about endorsements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geddy-lee/i-feel-a-little-uncomfortable-about-endorsements/) [Geddy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geddy-lee/) > [I like to make people a little uncomfortable. It encourages them to examine who they are and why they think the way they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-mann/i-like-to-make-people-a-little-uncomfortable-it-encourages-them-to/) [Sally Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-mann/) > [I saw a lot of that. It made me uncomfortable. He's been studying me. We don't just sit down and talk, he's actually studying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-sarchie/i-saw-a-lot-of-that-it-made-me-uncomfortable-he-s-been-studying-me-we/) [Ralph Sarchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-sarchie/) > [Everyone gets real quiet 'cause they're a little uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-gets-real-quiet-cause-they-re-a-little-uncomfortable/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's a little uncomfortable doing love scenes in armor, but, you know, when the heat's on, the heat's on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heath-ledger/it-s-a-little-uncomfortable-doing-love-scenes-in-armor-but-you-know/) [Heath Ledger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heath-ledger/) > [“So let’s all get a little uncomfortable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ijeoma-oluo/so-let-s-all-get-a-little-uncomfortable/) [Ijeoma Oluo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ijeoma-oluo/) > [I always feel that art in general and acting in particular should make the audience a little uncomfortable, to slap them and wake them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-banderas/i-always-feel-that-art-in-general-and-acting-in-particular-should/) [Antonio Banderas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-banderas/) ## More by Donald Ray Pollock > [“Strangers complained about the stench, but the locals liked to brag that it was the sweet smell of money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/strangers-complained-about-the-stench-but-the-locals-liked-to-brag/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [I don't really think the outburst is recent; there have always been writers in Appalachia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/i-don-t-really-think-the-outburst-is-recent-there-have-always-been/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [Unless he had whiskey running through his veins, Willard came to the clearing every morning and evening to talk to God. Arvin didn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/unless-he-had-whiskey-running-through-his-veins-willard-came-to-the/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [For example, if it's a sad scene, I need to feel that way, at least to a slight degree and for a short while,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/for-example-if-it-s-a-sad-scene-i-need-to-feel-that-way-at-least-to-a/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [As for how I feel about any success I've had, I just feel extremely lucky. Writing is a tough racket, and there are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/as-for-how-i-feel-about-any-success-i-ve-had-i-just-feel-extremely/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [Part of the reason might be that I was born in 1954 and I look upon my youth with great fondness, like many old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/part-of-the-reason-might-be-that-i-was-born-in-1954-and-i-look-upon/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [ I've never heard of that anthology \[Vance Randolph, Pissing in the Snow\], but you can be sure I'll buy it now. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/i-ve-never-heard-of-that-anthology-vance-randolph-pissing-in-the-snow/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [When I first started out, I was trying to write stories about nurses and lawyers and a lot of people I didn't know anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/when-i-first-started-out-i-was-trying-to-write-stories-about-nurses/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [“It's hard to live a good life...It seems like the Devil don't ever let up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/it-s-hard-to-live-a-good-life-it-seems-like-the-devil-don-t-ever-let/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [I'm not sure what the proper label might be, or the most accurate one, but someone once called my stuff Southern Ohio Gothic and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/i-m-not-sure-what-the-proper-label-might-be-or-the-most-accurate-one/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [Don't get me wrong: I think that everyone should put forth an effort to do better, but let's face it, some of us are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/don-t-get-me-wrong-i-think-that-everyone-should-put-forth-an-effort/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [ I look upon \[writing about religion\] as a nice way to get by in this precarious world, though I've never been able to do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/i-look-upon-writing-about-religion-as-a-nice-way-to-get-by-in-this/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [ \[Degree in English\] gave me a little more self-confidence, to know that I'd managed to complete something like that. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/degree-in-english-gave-me-a-little-more-self-confidence-to-know-that/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [There are a lot of writers from the South who would probably have once figured they needed to go to New York to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/there-are-a-lot-of-writers-from-the-south-who-would-probably-have/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [I think the biggest influence on the book, as far as the humor goes, comes, at least indirectly, from the men I worked with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/i-think-the-biggest-influence-on-the-book-as-far-as-the-humor-goes/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) [Explore all 87 Donald Ray Pollock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) ## 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 ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was growing up, I always wanted to be somebody else and live somewhere else. 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