---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just try to show up and be relaxed and…"
description: "\"I just try to show up and be relaxed and present and honest. And that's my only trick. And sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Honestly, some..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg"
---

#  I just try to show up and be relaxed and present and…

![“I just try to show up and be relaxed and present and honest. And that's my only trick. And sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Honestly, sometimes it really doesn't work.” quote by Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg)

> “I just try to show up and be relaxed and present and honest. And that's my only trick. And sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Honestly, sometimes it really doesn't work.”

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

## About This Quote

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

Being present, relaxed, and honest is the only reliable approach, though it doesn’t always succeed.

**In simple terms:** Show up honestly and relaxed.

Key Takeaway

Practice presence despite outcomes.

Themes

mindfulness authenticity effort

Mood

calm realistic

Type

personal motivational

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- dating
- therapy sessions

Key Concepts

psychology self‑care

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you handle when authenticity falls short?
- What can you learn from unsuccessful attempts?

A Different Perspective

Even honesty can fail sometimes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Pragmatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pragmatic/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/)

## Related quotes

> [We know how to be doctors, nurses, lawyers. We know how to be tweeters. We know how to be everything. But how do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/we-know-how-to-be-doctors-nurses-lawyers-we-know-how-to-be-tweeters/)

[Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/)

> [There's so much more (to say) about being young and being a woman, but I feel like not a lot of those stories are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jena-malone/there-s-so-much-more-to-say-about-being-young-and-being-a-woman-but-i/)

[Jena Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jena-malone/)

> [One must keep one's character. Earn a character first if you can, and if you can't, then assume one. From the code of morals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/one-must-keep-one-s-character-earn-a-character-first-if-you-can-and/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [“A good character is not only about the good person people know you to be. Your ability to tell the truth about how bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/a-good-character-is-not-only-about-the-good-person-people-know-you-to/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [It was something that came sort of matter-of-factually. Because there - it's like really - real honest engagement with the people around me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/it-was-something-that-came-sort-of-matter-of-factually-because-there/)

[Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/)

> [All my main characters are people I'd love to sit around having coffee with. They are people who will tell you honestly about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-center/all-my-main-characters-are-people-i-d-love-to-sit-around-having/)

[Katherine Center](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-center/)

> [What good the prophet in the wilderness may do is incremental and personal. It's good for us to hear someone speak the irrational truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/what-good-the-prophet-in-the-wilderness-may-do-is-incremental-and/)

[George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/)

> [“Your net worth depends on your added value”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/your-net-worth-depends-on-your-added-value/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“Your intensity increases your productivity”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/your-intensity-increases-your-productivity/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [“When you are intense, you will do things persistently and with speed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/when-you-are-intense-you-will-do-things-persistently-and-with-speed/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/)

[Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/)

> [“Always put your heart into and show commitment in whatever you do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/always-put-your-heart-into-and-show-commitment-in-whatever-you-do/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [I think that all people that get to a certain level of their celebrity are brands. I accept that. I don't value it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shania-twain/i-think-that-all-people-that-get-to-a-certain-level-of-their/)

[Shania Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shania-twain/)

> [Germany will continue to play a central - perhaps even a more important - role in the European Union. I think that we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/germany-will-continue-to-play-a-central-perhaps-even-a-more-important/)

[Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/)

> [“Pragmatic Programmers are different. We are driven to find our bugs now, so we don't have to endure the shame of others finding our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hunt/pragmatic-programmers-are-different-we-are-driven-to-find-our-bugs/)

[Andrew Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hunt/)

## More by Gaby Hoffmann

> [We all got driven out of Manhattan. It was a very conducive place for artists when I was growing up, and now it's definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/we-all-got-driven-out-of-manhattan-it-was-a-very-conducive-place-for/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [If somebody smiles at me on the street, I'm like, 'Hi, have a nice day!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/if-somebody-smiles-at-me-on-the-street-i-m-like-hi-have-a-nice-day/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [My senior thesis was a documentary. By the time I graduated from college, I thought I was going to make films, and my interest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/my-senior-thesis-was-a-documentary-by-the-time-i-graduated-from/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [My mom could be pretty strict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/my-mom-could-be-pretty-strict/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [Television has filled the space for actors that really want to make good work and not just make a lot of money and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/television-has-filled-the-space-for-actors-that-really-want-to-make/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [I think anyone who behaves boorishly but without a good sense of humor is not as fun to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-think-anyone-who-behaves-boorishly-but-without-a-good-sense-of/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [I was never that famous, but I do think going to college and really getting away from the business and taking a true break…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-was-never-that-famous-but-i-do-think-going-to-college-and-really/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [I certainly don't have any boundaries myself, but I think I'm very aware of other people's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-certainly-don-t-have-any-boundaries-myself-but-i-think-i-m-very/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [It's funny because I grew up with the T.V. on 24 hours a day. And the more money I made, the more T.V.s we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/it-s-funny-because-i-grew-up-with-the-t-v-on-24-hours-a-day-and-the/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [History is weirdly dismissed as not having anything to do with the present moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/history-is-weirdly-dismissed-as-not-having-anything-to-do-with-the/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [Looking at somebody looking good is so... boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/looking-at-somebody-looking-good-is-so-boring/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [I started missing acting when I was in school, and I realized after being in the business after however many years that I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-started-missing-acting-when-i-was-in-school-and-i-realized-after/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [I think I happened to work with sort of a bunch of slightly difficult male directors when I was a kid. I've since worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-think-i-happened-to-work-with-sort-of-a-bunch-of-slightly-difficult/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [My mother is the sort of a person who has no boundaries and no filter. She also has a big ego, but it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/my-mother-is-the-sort-of-a-person-who-has-no-boundaries-and-no-filter/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

> [I thought I was a sexy symbol!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-thought-i-was-a-sexy-symbol/)

[Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

[Explore all 146 Gaby Hoffmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/)

## More Honest quotes

> [How strong is a faith that can't stand up to a few honest questions?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-c-davis/how-strong-is-a-faith-that-can-t-stand-up-to-a-few-honest-questions/)

[Kenneth C. Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-c-davis/)

> [What we shall need is not geniuses, or cynics, or misanthropes, or clever tacticians, but plain, honest, straghtforward men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/what-we-shall-need-is-not-geniuses-or-cynics-or-misanthropes-or/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/)

[Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/)

> [Tobacco is the passion of honest men and he who lives without tobacco is not worthy of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/tobacco-is-the-passion-of-honest-men-and-he-who-lives-without-tobacco/)

[Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/)

> [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/)

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

> [“RIGHT Do you do what feels right or what is seen right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty-downer/right-do-you-do-what-feels-right-or-what-is-seen-right/)

[Kitty Downer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty-downer/)

> [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [I don't know - to be honest, I don't really model myself after anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-klattenhoff/i-don-t-know-to-be-honest-i-don-t-really-model-myself-after-anybody/)

[Diego Klattenhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-klattenhoff/)

> [There's a certain edge about cruelty. If you're honest about it, most people wince, but say it had to be said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-waterman/there-s-a-certain-edge-about-cruelty-if-you-re-honest-about-it-most/)

[Pete Waterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-waterman/)

> [I have often spoken of integrity as the most important of these values, realizing that integrity – and personal integrity, at that – is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/verghese-kurien/i-have-often-spoken-of-integrity-as-the-most-important-of-these/)

[Verghese Kurien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/verghese-kurien/)

> [Honest people don't hide their deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-bronte/honest-people-don-t-hide-their-deeds/)

[Emily Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-bronte/)

> [I used to not be really honest with girls and then I dropped a song called Starry Room and then I started turning over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-smith/i-used-to-not-be-really-honest-with-girls-and-then-i-dropped-a-song/)

[Jaden Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-smith/)

> [Fuck perfect, I want honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djsovviet/fuck-perfect-i-want-honest/)

Djsovviet

> [If I'm honest, I think everything is funny. You've just got to find the right way in. When I'm at my happiest and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcintyre/if-i-m-honest-i-think-everything-is-funny-you-ve-just-got-to-find-the/)

[Michael McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcintyre/)

> [I think managers see that I am honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lallana/i-think-managers-see-that-i-am-honest/)

[Adam Lallana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lallana/)

[Browse all 7,016 Honest quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I just try to show up and be relaxed and present and honest. And that's my only trick. And sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Honestly, sometimes it really doesn't work.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Gaby Hoffmann"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and-present-and-honest-and-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Honest"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and-present-and-honest-and-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/gaby-hoffmann-2890_honest_i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and_178875.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I just try to show up and be relaxed and present and honest. And that's my only trick. And sometimes it…” — Gaby Hoffmann",
                "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": "Gaby Hoffmann",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I just try to show up...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and-present-and-honest-and-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/i-just-try-to-show-up-and-be-relaxed-and-present-and-honest-and-that/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
