--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once they put you in like a label…" description: "\"Once they put you in like a label category it just haunts you.\" — Erica Mena" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg" --- # Once they put you in like a label category it just haunts… ![“Once they put you in like a label category it just haunts you.” quote by Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg) > “Once they put you in like a label category it just haunts you.” [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being labeled creates a persistent identity that can dominate self‑perception and behavior. **In simple terms:** Labels can haunt you. Key Takeaway Beware of letting labels define you. Themes identity stigma self‑concept Mood anxious reflective Type observational psychological When to use this quote - workplace - school - online communities - personal relationships Key Concepts social labeling psychological impact Questions to Reflect On - How does a label affect your choices? - Can you redefine yourself beyond the label? A Different Perspective Labels may simplify complex people, leading to stereotypes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Anything that would kind of label me or put me into a category is kind of what I want to avoid. I like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kilmer/anything-that-would-kind-of-label-me-or-put-me-into-a-category-is/) [Jack Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kilmer/) > [I think people like to label everything. I just think it's comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-think-people-like-to-label-everything-i-just-think-it-s-comfortable/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I don't like to label myself. I know I'm very hard to pigeonhole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-yankovic/i-don-t-like-to-label-myself-i-know-i-m-very-hard-to-pigeonhole/) [Al Yankovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-yankovic/) > [I come from a lot of different worlds, and you can't really place me in a category. I'm just kind of me, and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corbin-bleu/i-come-from-a-lot-of-different-worlds-and-you-can-t-really-place-me/) [Corbin Bleu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corbin-bleu/) > [It's not like our own label. We don't need our own label no more. It's bigger than that, you know I sayin'? It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mobb-deep/it-s-not-like-our-own-label-we-don-t-need-our-own-label-no-more-it-s/) [Mobb Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mobb-deep/) > [I don't like the label 'plus-size' -- I call it 'fiercely real.' On 'Top Model,' we call it fiercely real. I don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/i-don-t-like-the-label-plus-size-i-call-it-fiercely-real-on-top-model/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [I don't like to label films with a genre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-felton/i-don-t-like-to-label-films-with-a-genre/) [Tom Felton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-felton/) > [Women come in all shapes and sizes, and we are what we want to be, not the label that is placed on us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-willett/women-come-in-all-shapes-and-sizes-and-we-are-what-we-want-to-be-not/) [Erin Willett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-willett/) > [I was always real deep into music. From everything, all around the board - from East Coast, West Coast, down South, everywhere. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-dolph/i-was-always-real-deep-into-music-from-everything-all-around-the/) [Young Dolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-dolph/) > [When people see you have a song on MTV, they think you are doing well - but you know, the way the traditional label…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-sobule/when-people-see-you-have-a-song-on-mtv-they-think-you-are-doing-well/) [Jill Sobule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-sobule/) > [A label is a soul-tattoo that is ingrained deep in our hearts, so much so that it determines how we see ourselves, And how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/a-label-is-a-soul-tattoo-that-is-ingrained-deep-in-our-hearts-so-much/) [Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/) > [The will to label will always prevail over what's being labeled, usually at the expense of either truth or understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-rice/the-will-to-label-will-always-prevail-over-what-s-being-labeled/) [Boyd Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-rice/) > [I think some people think I'm, like, anti-label, and I'm not. I just wanted to sign a deal when the time was right. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-azalea/i-think-some-people-think-i-m-like-anti-label-and-i-m-not-i-just/) [Iggy Azalea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-azalea/) > [“How would your life be different if...You could control the outcome of your day, your week, your year? Let today be the day...You embrace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/how-would-your-life-be-different-if-you-could-control-the-outcome-of/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [I'm signed to a U.S. label, and I didn't enjoy the 3 A.M. phone calls. I'm not a great sleeper, so I didn't enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/estelle/i-m-signed-to-a-u-s-label-and-i-didn-t-enjoy-the-3-a-m-phone-calls-i/) [Estelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/estelle/) ## More by Erica Mena > [A lot of girls are open and willing to do whatever for whatever and don't realize that you do have control over your image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/a-lot-of-girls-are-open-and-willing-to-do-whatever-for-whatever-and/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I'm not afraid of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-m-not-afraid-of-love/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [My first car was a Rolls-Royce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/my-first-car-was-a-rolls-royce/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I'm such a true Puerto Rican.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-m-such-a-true-puerto-rican/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [A lot of people bash me, but at the end of the day they don't know how much I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/a-lot-of-people-bash-me-but-at-the-end-of-the-day-they-don-t-know-how/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I feel like people have seen me on reality TV having to fight, but at this point in my life, I deserve peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-feel-like-people-have-seen-me-on-reality-tv-having-to-fight-but-at/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [Remy Ma is from the Bronx and I'm from the Bronx. The stories in her music are similar to what I've experienced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/remy-ma-is-from-the-bronx-and-i-m-from-the-bronx-the-stories-in-her/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I didn't think I'd see myself get married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-didn-t-think-i-d-see-myself-get-married/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I've succeeded a lot but there's still so much to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-ve-succeeded-a-lot-but-there-s-still-so-much-to-do/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I think us as women, naturally, we give more than what we get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-think-us-as-women-naturally-we-give-more-than-what-we-get/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [The first video that made me want to get into entertainment was Janet Jackson's 'That's The Way Love Goes.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/the-first-video-that-made-me-want-to-get-into-entertainment-was-janet/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [When you're in the public eye, me and my husband have realized that things should be kept in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/when-you-re-in-the-public-eye-me-and-my-husband-have-realized-that/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [Me and my family had our fair share of troubles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/me-and-my-family-had-our-fair-share-of-troubles/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I don't think it's accepted naturally to be bisexual, especially as a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-don-t-think-it-s-accepted-naturally-to-be-bisexual-especially-as-a/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) > [I'm a Scorpio, so I call the shots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/i-m-a-scorpio-so-i-call-the-shots/) [Erica Mena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) [Explore all 63 Erica Mena quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/) ## More Just quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I just speak the truth. I keep it real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlon-vera/i-just-speak-the-truth-i-keep-it-real/) [Marlon Vera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlon-vera/) > [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [You just have to stay humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-jackson/you-just-have-to-stay-humble/) [Lamar Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-jackson/) > [I think a person has to just be herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-nixon/i-think-a-person-has-to-just-be-herself/) [Pat Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-nixon/) > [You get through it, you just never get over it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-get-through-it-you-just-never-get-over-it/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [It's like saying French shouldn't be taught because you don't understand it because it's new. Shakespeare is just like learning a new, exciting language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-barnett/it-s-like-saying-french-shouldn-t-be-taught-because-you-don-t/) [Samuel Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-barnett/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [You will never know just how beautiful you are to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-know-just-how-beautiful-you-are-to-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Sometimes, when full and in fear that I will continue to eat unwanted food just because it's staring at me, I will place my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/sometimes-when-full-and-in-fear-that-i-will-continue-to-eat-unwanted/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) Browse all 25,128 Just quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once they put you in like a label category it just haunts you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Erica Mena" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-category-it-just-haunts-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Just" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-category-it-just-haunts-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7d/erica-mena-10891_just_once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-catego_227312.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once they put you in like a label category it just haunts you.” — Erica Mena", "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": "Erica Mena", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-mena/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Once they put you in like...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-category-it-just-haunts-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-mena/once-they-put-you-in-like-a-label-category-it-just-haunts-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 } } ] } ```