---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happy. And then I got afraid that it…"
description: "\"Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as quickly as it came. That it was accidental-- that I didn't deserve it. It's like this very, very n..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg"
---

#  Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as…

![“Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as quickly as it came. That it was accidental-- that I didn't deserve it. It's like this very, very nice car crash that never ends.” quote by Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg)

> “Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as quickly as it came. That it was accidental-- that I didn't deserve it. It's like this very, very nice car crash that never ends.”

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

## About This Quote

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

Happiness can feel fragile, fearing it will disappear, leading to self-doubt and a paradox of enjoying a fleeting joy.

**In simple terms:** Happiness feels fragile and fleeting.

Key Takeaway

Savor joy despite fear.

Themes

happiness fear impermanence

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

- celebrations
- mental health
- personal reflection
- life events

Key Concepts

mindfulness self-doubt joy

Questions to Reflect On

- What makes you fear joy?
- How can you hold onto happiness?

A Different Perspective

Fear can prevent full enjoyment of happiness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Car crash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car-crash/) [Nice cars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice-cars/)

## Related quotes

> [With our dramas, we have a lot of shows that feature very well-to-do, well-educated people who are driving very nice cars and living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-dungey/with-our-dramas-we-have-a-lot-of-shows-that-feature-very-well-to-do/)

[Channing Dungey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-dungey/)

> [Move to Italy. I mean it: they know about living in debt; they don't care. I stayed out there for five months while I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lydon/move-to-italy-i-mean-it-they-know-about-living-in-debt-they-don-t/)

[John Lydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lydon/)

> [I like to drive nice cars; since I live in New York, and I don't drive there, it's a novelty to be on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannibal-buress/i-like-to-drive-nice-cars-since-i-live-in-new-york-and-i-don-t-drive/)

[Hannibal Buress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannibal-buress/)

> [I think my love of cars came from my dad, when I was much younger. Before my dad spent all his money on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-franchitti/i-think-my-love-of-cars-came-from-my-dad-when-i-was-much-younger/)

[Dario Franchitti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-franchitti/)

> [We went back to the weird Institute building. At night there was a lot more activity. Erasers coming in non-stop. Nice cars, nice clothes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/we-went-back-to-the-weird-institute-building-at-night-there-was-a-lot/)

[James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/)

> [I've got nice cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-moody/i-ve-got-nice-cars/)

[Ivan Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-moody/)

> [I had many of the trappings of success. I was a lawyer. I drove a nice car and I had nice things. But "things"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/i-had-many-of-the-trappings-of-success-i-was-a-lawyer-i-drove-a-nice/)

[Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/)

> [My health is wonderful. I work out. I'm working. Playing music. I have a beautiful wife, a nice home, a nice car, I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-adler/my-health-is-wonderful-i-work-out-i-m-working-playing-music-i-have-a/)

[Steven Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-adler/)

> [ Maybe people \[in Hollywood\] wear really nice clothes, and they drive really nice cars, but that doesn't make me comfortable. And if I'm not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seyfried/maybe-people-in-hollywood-wear-really-nice-clothes-and-they-drive/)

[Amanda Seyfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seyfried/)

> [I would... learn how to drive... have a nice car... and drive it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-payne/i-would-learn-how-to-drive-have-a-nice-car-and-drive-it/)

[Liam Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-payne/)

> [I've got a nice, big house. I've got two nice cars, including a Bentley, and I'm test-driving a Porsche.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-lafferty/i-ve-got-a-nice-big-house-i-ve-got-two-nice-cars-including-a-bentley/)

[Kyle Lafferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-lafferty/)

> [Everybody who comes from the gangster life - they want what that man in the suburbs wants. Nice family. Nice house. Nice cars. Bills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/everybody-who-comes-from-the-gangster-life-they-want-what-that-man-in/)

[Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/)

> [I don't think Mercedes-Benz says anything about me, really. I was in a situation where I was able to get a really nice car,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-lee-smith/i-don-t-think-mercedes-benz-says-anything-about-me-really-i-was-in-a/)

[Lauren Lee Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-lee-smith/)

> [Most wealth is inconspicuous. The man down the street driving the nice car and living in the mansion could easily have greater debt and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loral-langemeier/most-wealth-is-inconspicuous-the-man-down-the-street-driving-the-nice/)

[Loral Langemeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loral-langemeier/)

> [If you look at the offense like a fancy car, the offensive line is the engine. Even though we might have nice spinners and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tice/if-you-look-at-the-offense-like-a-fancy-car-the-offensive-line-is-the/)

[Mike Tice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tice/)

## More by Douglas Coupland

> [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [A man in a bookstore buys a book on loneliness and every woman in the store hits on him. A woman buys a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/a-man-in-a-bookstore-buys-a-book-on-loneliness-and-every-woman-in-the/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [The future and eternity are two entirely different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/the-future-and-eternity-are-two-entirely-different-things/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [Do you remember how you felt at seventeen? I do and I don't (...) Imagine you came from outer space and someone showed you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/do-you-remember-how-you-felt-at-seventeen-i-do-and-i-don-t-imagine/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [You can't fake competence, creativity, or sexual arousal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-can-t-fake-competence-creativity-or-sexual-arousal/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [“But Dag, for all of his efforts, might as well have been talking to a cat. Our parents’ generation seems neither able nor interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/but-dag-for-all-of-his-efforts-might-as-well-have-been-talking-to-a/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word. You mean to tell me we can drive all the way here from L.A.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be-a-better-word-you-mean-to/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [It was pivotal in making you but you don't remember it. Or do you? Do we understand the events that make us who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/it-was-pivotal-in-making-you-but-you-don-t-remember-it-or-do-you-do/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [Your ability to rationalize your own bad deeds makes you believe that the whole world is as amoral as you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/your-ability-to-rationalize-your-own-bad-deeds-makes-you-believe-that/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [“I like to go beach-combing, and I like to find interestingly shaped rocks. When I really get into the groove I start finding beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-like-to-go-beach-combing-and-i-like-to-find-interestingly-shaped/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [“You know, Dag and Claire smile a lot, as do many people I know. But I always wondered if there is something either mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-know-dag-and-claire-smile-a-lot-as-do-many-people-i-know-but-i/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [Brain research tells us that only twenty percent of human beings have a sense of irony, which means that eighty percent of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/brain-research-tells-us-that-only-twenty-percent-of-human-beings-have/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [I keep vampire hours, going to bed at 2 A.M. and waking up at about 10:30-11 A.M.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-keep-vampire-hours-going-to-bed-at-2-a-m-and-waking-up-at-about-10/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [“Anna-Louise leans over and whispers in my ear. "This is so surreal," she says, "I think I'm turning into a melting clock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/anna-louise-leans-over-and-whispers-in-my-ear-this-is-so-surreal-she/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

> [When you grow up these days, you're told you're going to have four or five different careers during your lifetime. But what they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/when-you-grow-up-these-days-you-re-told-you-re-going-to-have-four-or/)

[Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

[Explore all 704 Douglas Coupland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/)

## More Accidental quotes

> [The attempted assassinations against me were not accidental.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akhmad-kadyrov/the-attempted-assassinations-against-me-were-not-accidental/)

[Akhmad Kadyrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akhmad-kadyrov/)

> [“Accidental travel happens all the time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-w-cooper/accidental-travel-happens-all-the-time/)

Loren W. Cooper

> [Of your philosophy you makeno use If you give place to accidental evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/of-your-philosophy-you-makeno-use-if-you-give-place-to-accidental/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [I'm kind of an accidental instrument, really, through which I hope that the judgment and the will of this nation can be expressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/i-m-kind-of-an-accidental-instrument-really-through-which-i-hope-that/)

[Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/)

> [Im an accidental entrepreneur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-massenet/im-an-accidental-entrepreneur/)

[Natalie Massenet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-massenet/)

> [Parties are organised happiness but happiness is accidental. You can't legislate for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-skinner/parties-are-organised-happiness-but-happiness-is-accidental-you-can-t/)

[Dennis Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-skinner/)

> [“That's how life is: it provides these accidental answers. Or it seems to. You have to judge by results.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-munson/that-s-how-life-is-it-provides-these-accidental-answers-or-it-seems/)

Sam Munson

> [My misdeeds are accidental happenings and merely the result of having been in the wrong bar or bed at the wrong time, say most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-bernard/my-misdeeds-are-accidental-happenings-and-merely-the-result-of-having/)

[Jeffrey Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-bernard/)

> [“You have a real gift for getting into trouble, don’t you? That was one thing I forgot when you left the pack.” “How is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/you-have-a-real-gift-for-getting-into-trouble-don-t-you-that-was-one/)

[Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/)

> [I never thought I'd be acting. It's very accidental for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reeve-carney/i-never-thought-i-d-be-acting-it-s-very-accidental-for-me/)

[Reeve Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reeve-carney/)

> [Directing is my first love; turning an actor was rather accidental.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dileesh-pothan/directing-is-my-first-love-turning-an-actor-was-rather-accidental/)

[Dileesh Pothan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dileesh-pothan/)

> [“In my life's chain of events nothing was accidental. Everything happened according to an inner need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-my-life-s-chain-of-events-nothing-was-accidental-everything/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“This accidental Meeting of possibilities Calls itself I.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/this-accidental-meeting-of-possibilities-calls-itself-i/)

[Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/)

> [All my books are accidental books - they come from reacting to things and thinking about things and engaging in a real way. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/all-my-books-are-accidental-books-they-come-from-reacting-to-things/)

[Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/)

> [Any planning that I have in my career is totally accidental really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-bale/any-planning-that-i-have-in-my-career-is-totally-accidental-really/)

[Christian Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-bale/)

Browse all 101 Accidental quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as quickly as it came. That it was accidental-- that I didn't deserve it. It's like this very, very nice car crash that never ends.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Douglas Coupland"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-would-vanish-as-quickly-as-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accidental"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-would-vanish-as-quickly-as-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d0/douglas-coupland-305_car_happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-woul_2252184.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Happy. And then I got afraid that it would vanish as quickly as it came. That it was accidental-- that I…” — Douglas Coupland",
                "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": "Douglas Coupland",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Happy. And then I got afraid...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-would-vanish-as-quickly-as-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/happy-and-then-i-got-afraid-that-it-would-vanish-as-quickly-as-it/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
