---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never trust someone else to write your…"
description: "\"“Never trust someone else to write your life story. Take the pen, and write it yourself.”\" — Ellen J. Barrier"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg"
---

#  Never trust someone else to write your life story. Take…

![“Never trust someone else to write your life story. Take the pen, and write it yourself.” quote by Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg)

> ““Never trust someone else to write your life story. Take the pen, and write it yourself.””

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

## About This Quote

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

Take control of your narrative by writing your own life story instead of relying on others.

**In simple terms:** Write your own story.

Key Takeaway

Own your narrative.

Themes

agency self-determination authorship

Mood

empowering determined

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

- journaling
- memoir writing
- career planning

Key Concepts

Narrative theory personal empowerment

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you protect your voice?
- What steps help maintain authenticity?

A Different Perspective

External influences can still shape perception.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-story/) [Pen Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pen-write-1627067/) [Story Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-pen-3190211/) [Trust Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-write-2075152/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Write Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-life/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [Give me a paper and pen, so I can write about my life of sin. A couple of bottles of gin, in case I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-me-a-paper-and-pen-so-i-can-write-about-my-life-of-sin-a-couple/)

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

> [Woman's faith and woman's trust, Write the characters in dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/woman-s-faith-and-woman-s-trust-write-the-characters-in-dust/)

[Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/)

> [As an editor, I must often tell writers that their stories "do not fit our present needs." But there are times when I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-conniff/as-an-editor-i-must-often-tell-writers-that-their-stories-do-not-fit/)

[Richard Conniff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-conniff/)

> [I don't trust myself enough. When I write, I overwrite. Gingerbread. Too much gingerbread. Writing is probably the only hobby I have. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-goodman/i-don-t-trust-myself-enough-when-i-write-i-overwrite-gingerbread-too/)

[John Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-goodman/)

> [It takes me a long time to write, and I trust myself, so I write very sparsely, so when I do, I know it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-sweatshirt/it-takes-me-a-long-time-to-write-and-i-trust-myself-so-i-write-very/)

[Earl Sweatshirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-sweatshirt/)

> [“Trust me, I write fiction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-mahan/trust-me-i-write-fiction/)

[Rob Mahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-mahan/)

> [“You can know all about a person from the things they collect, the books on their shelves, the chairs in their parlor. … Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-rutledge/you-can-know-all-about-a-person-from-the-things-they-collect-the/)

[Lynda Rutledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-rutledge/)

> [You write your life story by the choices you make. You never know if they have been a mistake. Those moments of decision are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/you-write-your-life-story-by-the-choices-you-make-you-never-know-if/)

[Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/)

> [I didn't really want to write something about my life story. I've kind of had a pretty smooth-sailing journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellyse-perry/i-didn-t-really-want-to-write-something-about-my-life-story-i-ve-kind/)

[Ellyse Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellyse-perry/)

> [“While we are living, our lives are like that of an open book, still being written. Eventually, our book closes for us, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-jean-slack/while-we-are-living-our-lives-are-like-that-of-an-open-book-still/)

[Nina Jean Slack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-jean-slack/)

> [“What are you thinking about?" "Whether they'll write my life story as a tragedy or an epic fantasy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/what-are-you-thinking-about-whether-they-ll-write-my-life-story-as-a/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [I can't write my life story without Emmitt and Troy. They can't write their life stories without me. We're tied together forever. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-irvin/i-can-t-write-my-life-story-without-emmitt-and-troy-they-can-t-write/)

[Michael Irvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-irvin/)

> [I have had the unfortunate experience of having someone write an unauthorised biography of me. Half of it is lies and the other half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-french/i-have-had-the-unfortunate-experience-of-having-someone-write-an/)

[Dawn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-french/)

> [“To live is to write a story. If you are a strong person, your life story will mostly be written by you; if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/to-live-is-to-write-a-story-if-you-are-a-strong-person-your-life/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [“Do not settle for living a version of your life designed by another. You are not meant to be gatekeeper or the holder of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-leblanc/do-not-settle-for-living-a-version-of-your-life-designed-by-another/)

[Jeanette LeBlanc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-leblanc/)

## More by Ellen J. Barrier

> [“Good health and happiness are life’s most precious treasures. Those who possess them are blessed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/good-health-and-happiness-are-life-s-most-precious-treasures-those/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“When children are given spiritual guidance, they grow-up learning to know how to pray and praise God. Even though they might not be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-children-are-given-spiritual-guidance-they-grow-up-learning-to/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“The person who is rich is the one who possess kindness, caring, help others when needed, gives things that money can't buy, and spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-person-who-is-rich-is-the-one-who-possess-kindness-caring-help/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“People should get their information from the source with facts before sharing it. Rumors can be lots of different opinions, based on what other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/people-should-get-their-information-from-the-source-with-facts-before/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“Negative people offer no hope to the person who wants to pursue their goal. They are a hinder to positive thinking and plans for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/negative-people-offer-no-hope-to-the-person-who-wants-to-pursue-their/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [One of the greatest gifts to give our friends and others is a prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/one-of-the-greatest-gifts-to-give-our-friends-and-others-is-a-prayer/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“To focus energy on the less important things in life, hinder creating a solution to solve those problems that are of the most importance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/to-focus-energy-on-the-less-important-things-in-life-hinder-creating/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“The strength of a man is in his character. A strong man is a great man of wisdom who understands, his top priority is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-strength-of-a-man-is-in-his-character-a-strong-man-is-a-great-man/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“Life is a journey; let's enjoy it, seeing some exciting things, and having fun along the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/life-is-a-journey-let-s-enjoy-it-seeing-some-exciting-things-and/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“Prayers are like the powerful sounds of trumpets. When God's people come together and pray, the walls that challenge progress will fall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/prayers-are-like-the-powerful-sounds-of-trumpets-when-god-s-people/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“Those who find themselves in the "You are going to miss my loving" section Without LOVE are the ones who abused their relationship by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/those-who-find-themselves-in-the-you-are-going-to-miss-my-loving/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“The tough times we human beings go through, are meant to change us into better people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-tough-times-we-human-beings-go-through-are-meant-to-change-us/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“Hanging with people who make you feel unappreciated, for the mere sake of appearing to be popular, is the loneliest place to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/hanging-with-people-who-make-you-feel-unappreciated-for-the-mere-sake/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

> [“People who like their job will give it their best. Those who don't, show it by a poor performance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/people-who-like-their-job-will-give-it-their-best-those-who-don-t/)

[Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

[Explore all 156 Ellen J. Barrier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/)

## More Life quotes

> [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/)

[Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/)

> [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

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

> [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/)

[Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/)

> [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/)

[Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/)

> [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/)

[Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/)

> [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/)

[Deanna L. Lawlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-l-lawlis/)

> [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/)

[Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/)

> [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/)

[Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/)

> [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/)

[Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

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

> [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/)

[Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/)

> [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/)

[Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/)

[Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Never trust someone else to write your life story. Take the pen, and write it yourself.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ellen J. Barrier"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-life-story-take-the-pen-and/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Life"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-life-story-take-the-pen-and/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a60/ellen-j-barrier-2650_life_never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-l_2763846.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Never trust someone else to write your life story. Take the pen, and write it yourself.” — Ellen J. Barrier",
                "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": "Ellen J. Barrier",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Never trust someone else to write...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-life-story-take-the-pen-and/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/never-trust-someone-else-to-write-your-life-story-take-the-pen-and/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
