--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So, this is how it's become? This is how…" description: "\"So, this is how it's become? This is how I've become? A walking contradiction? I'm surrounded by people and feel alone. I claim to crave a bit of norma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/gayle-forman-312_claims_so-this-is-how-it-s-become-this-is-how-i_1693311.png" --- # So, this is how it's become? This is how I've become? A… ![“So, this is how it's become? This is how I've become? A walking contradiction? I'm surrounded by people and feel alone. I claim to crave a bit of normalcy but now that I have some, it's like I don't know what to do with it, I don't know how to be a normal person anymore.” quote by Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/gayle-forman-312_claims_so-this-is-how-it-s-become-this-is-how-i_1693311.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/gayle-forman-312_claims_so-this-is-how-it-s-become-this-is-how-i_1693311.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/gayle-forman-312_claims_so-this-is-how-it-s-become-this-is-how-i_1693311.png) > “So, this is how it's become? This is how I've become? A walking contradiction? I'm surrounded by people and feel alone. I claim to crave a bit of normalcy but now that I have some, it's like I don't know what to do with it, I don't know how to be a normal person anymore.” [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal identity crisis arises when normalcy feels alien after trauma, leading to isolation despite surrounding people. **In simple terms:** Normal life feels strange after trauma. Key Takeaway Seek authentic self‑connection. Themes identity loneliness trauma normalcy Mood introspective empathetic Type psychological inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - support groups - creative expression - mindfulness practice Key Concepts self‑concept social alienation Questions to Reflect On - What does “normal” mean to you now? - How can you reconnect with others authentically? A Different Perspective Finding normalcy may require redefining personal expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Claims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) [Contradiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradiction/) [Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Normal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal/) [Normal person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal-person/) [Normalcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normalcy/) [Normalcy Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normalcy-like-1077779/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-feel/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Walking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walking/) [Walking Contradiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walking-contradiction-806635/) ## Related quotes > [After a war life catches desperately at passing hints of normalcy like vines entwining a hollow twig.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/after-a-war-life-catches-desperately-at-passing-hints-of-normalcy/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [“Everyone has problems. Everyone has a shitty life. But people who embrace that and do something with the misery are seen as the abnormal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andersen-prunty/everyone-has-problems-everyone-has-a-shitty-life-but-people-who/) [Andersen Prunty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andersen-prunty/) > [I am the epitome of a walking contradiction for various reasons, only one of which being that I feel my existence is of heaven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-the-epitome-of-a-walking-contradiction-for-various-reasons-only/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm a walking contradiction on so many levels. I'm gay, black, and a Christian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/i-m-a-walking-contradiction-on-so-many-levels-i-m-gay-black-and-a/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [I am a walking contradiction that's found consistency consuming everything, all without producing sustenance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/as-i-lay-dying/i-am-a-walking-contradiction-that-s-found-consistency-consuming/) [As I Lay Dying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/as-i-lay-dying/) > [“He was a paradox, a walking contradiction. How he could perform such a violent act without hesitation in one moment and be gentle with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/he-was-a-paradox-a-walking-contradiction-how-he-could-perform-such-a/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [“This man—this impeccable, mortal creature. A figurine on the stage of life, outwardly flawless yet perfectly destructible. What hidden forces animated this walking contradiction?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/z-k-kostka/this-man-this-impeccable-mortal-creature-a-figurine-on-the-stage-of/) [Z.K. Kostka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/z-k-kostka/) > [I'm a walking contradiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-momoa/i-m-a-walking-contradiction/) [Jason Momoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-momoa/) > [Laughter is unprovoked. It's such a natural thing. So I don't give myself rules around what I like and what I don't like. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robby-hoffman/laughter-is-unprovoked-it-s-such-a-natural-thing-so-i-don-t-give/) [Robby Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robby-hoffman/) > [There's not one person in the world that's not a living, walking contradiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-s-not-one-person-in-the-world-that-s-not-a-living-walking/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [“Tough on the outside, but fragile when you got close. A walking contradiction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-naigle/tough-on-the-outside-but-fragile-when-you-got-close-a-walking/) [Nancy Naigle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-naigle/) > [I'm a walking contradiction. I am funny that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherilyn-fenn/i-m-a-walking-contradiction-i-am-funny-that-way/) [Sherilyn Fenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherilyn-fenn/) > [I'm surrounded by people and feel alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-m-surrounded-by-people-and-feel-alone/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Who among us can claim normalcy, Bishop?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-marusek/who-among-us-can-claim-normalcy-bishop/) [David Marusek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-marusek/) > [“It's the shock of the thing, is what I'm saying, and my new and somewhat untested theory is that when something is shocking it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystelle-bamford/it-s-the-shock-of-the-thing-is-what-i-m-saying-and-my-new-and/) [Krystelle Bamford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystelle-bamford/) ## More by Gayle Forman > [“Waiting for Vengeance' Well, what is this? What am I coming to? And beyond that, what am I gonna do? Now there’s blankness Where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/waiting-for-vengeance-well-what-is-this-what-am-i-coming-to-and/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [I don’t want to be that person, who just takes things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-don-t-want-to-be-that-person-who-just-takes-things/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Adam's lips are set in a grime line. I can't tell if he's about to cry or about to punch the guard. For his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/adam-s-lips-are-set-in-a-grime-line-i-can-t-tell-if-he-s-about-to-cry/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [I’ve blamed her for all of this, for leaving, for ruining me. And maybe that was the seed of it, but from that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-ve-blamed-her-for-all-of-this-for-leaving-for-ruining-me-and-maybe/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [There are like twenty people in that waiting room right now. Some of them are related to you. Some of them are not. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/there-are-like-twenty-people-in-that-waiting-room-right-now-some-of/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“It’s like an ache, how much I miss them. How much I miss her. I’m so tired of missing things I don’t have”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/it-s-like-an-ache-how-much-i-miss-them-how-much-i-miss-her-i-m-so/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Whoever said that the past isn’t dead had it backward. It’s the future that’s already dead, already played out. This whole night has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/whoever-said-that-the-past-isn-t-dead-had-it-backward-it-s-the-future/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“We drank Pepsi out of these old-fashioned bottles that Dad had found at some ancient country store, and I swear they tasted better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/we-drank-pepsi-out-of-these-old-fashioned-bottles-that-dad-had-found/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Pero si voy a sobrevivir, no puedo nunca, jamás volver a repasar este día.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/pero-si-voy-a-sobrevivir-no-puedo-nunca-jam-s-volver-a-repasar-este-d/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Some things are impossible to tear yourself away from.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/some-things-are-impossible-to-tear-yourself-away-from/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [You meet people, you part ways, sometimes you cross paths again. Mostly, you don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/you-meet-people-you-part-ways-sometimes-you-cross-paths-again-mostly/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Do you honestly think that where you’re buried has any bearing on where your spirit lives?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/do-you-honestly-think-that-where-you-re-buried-has-any-bearing-on/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“Jazz je punk pro staré lidi.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/jazz-je-punk-pro-star-lidi/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [Hate me. Devastate me. Annihilate me. Re-create me. Re-create me. Won't you, won't you won't you re-create me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/hate-me-devastate-me-annihilate-me-re-create-me-re-create-me-won-t/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) > [“I can't lose you again. It really will kill me this time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayle-forman/i-can-t-lose-you-again-it-really-will-kill-me-this-time/) [Gayle Forman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) [Explore all 598 Gayle Forman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayle-forman/) ## More Claims quotes > [One of the worst things to come out of the Consumer Protection Board's misleading claims is the impression that government resources are to hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lesko/one-of-the-worst-things-to-come-out-of-the-consumer-protection-board/) [Matthew Lesko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lesko/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [We do not claim that punning is legitimate wit. Wit consists in combination of ideas, punning in combination of words only. We wonder at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-hosmer/we-do-not-claim-that-punning-is-legitimate-wit-wit-consists-in/) [Harriet Hosmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-hosmer/) > [It is popular to call it a crisis of the Western world. It is in fact a crisis of the whole world. Communism, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whittaker-chambers/it-is-popular-to-call-it-a-crisis-of-the-western-world-it-is-in-fact/) [Whittaker Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whittaker-chambers/) > [One argument goes that recessions are good for female artists because when money flies out the window, women are allowed in the house. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/one-argument-goes-that-recessions-are-good-for-female-artists-because/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [Atheist’s denial of God’s existence needs just as much substantiation as does the theist’s claim; the atheist must give plausible reasons for rejecting God’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/atheist-s-denial-of-god-s-existence-needs-just-as-much-substantiation/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [In luggage claim at the Minneapolis airport, the guy came up to me and said, "Maybe you're wrong, maybe stories do matter." I wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dicamillo/in-luggage-claim-at-the-minneapolis-airport-the-guy-came-up-to-me-and/) [Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dicamillo/) > [The rights essential to happiness. . . . We claim them from a higher source - from the King of kings and Lord of all the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/the-rights-essential-to-happiness-we-claim-them-from-a-higher-source/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [Those who do not know what love is likens it to beauty Those who claim to know what love is likens it to ugliness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tite-kubo/those-who-do-not-know-what-love-is-likens-it-to-beauty-those-who/) [Tite Kubo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tite-kubo/) > [If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/if-ever-my-life-can-be-of-any-use-to-you-come-and-claim-it/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [Religions do make claims about the universe--the same kinds of claims that scientists make, except they're usually false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/religions-do-make-claims-about-the-universe-the-same-kinds-of-claims/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/how-can-i-set-free-anyone-who-doesn-t-have-the-guts-to-stand-up-alone/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [Life is so full of meaning and of purpose, so full of beauty - beneath its covering - that you will find that earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giovanni-giocondo/life-is-so-full-of-meaning-and-of-purpose-so-full-of-beauty-beneath/) [Giovanni Giocondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giovanni-giocondo/) [Browse all 2,762 Claims quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So, this is how it's become? This is how I've become? A walking contradiction? I'm surrounded by people and feel alone. 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