--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm…" description: "\"I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. When I think of normal, I think of mediocrity, and mediocrity scares the f--- out of me.\" — Gilli..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relati_77113.jpg" --- # I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. When… ![“I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. When I think of normal, I think of mediocrity, and mediocrity scares the f--- out of me.” quote by Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relati_77113.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relati_77113.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/220/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relati_77113.jpg) > “I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. When I think of normal, I think of mediocrity, and mediocrity scares the f--- out of me.” [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker rejects conventional normalcy, equating it with mediocrity, which they find terrifying, while asserting personal stability. **In simple terms:** Rejects normal as mediocrity. Key Takeaway Stability ≠ mediocrity. Themes individualism self-perception fear of mediocrity identity nonconformity Mood defiant reflective Type personal insight philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - personal relationships - creative pursuits Key Concepts self-awareness social norms Practical Applications - motivational speaking - personal development workshops Questions to Reflect On - What defines 'normal' for you? - How does fear of mediocrity shape your choices? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocrity/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [What's normal? I think I'm normal... Maybe I'm abnormal because I get such a thrill from real life, just real life, everyday things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sissy-spacek/what-s-normal-i-think-i-m-normal-maybe-i-m-abnormal-because-i-get/) [Sissy Spacek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sissy-spacek/) > [Yep, that's me. I know. I know. You're humbled I'm here, feel like throwing rose petals at my feet, blah, blah, blah. No need,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/yep-that-s-me-i-know-i-know-you-re-humbled-i-m-here-feel-like/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [People might say your not normal but if you ask me normal isnt that much fun. being yourself and being abnormal is Awesome, dont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/people-might-say-your-not-normal-but-if-you-ask-me-normal-isnt-that/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [It's lame to say that I'm a normal girl, but I think I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-heigl/it-s-lame-to-say-that-i-m-a-normal-girl-but-i-think-i-am/) [Katherine Heigl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-heigl/) > [I always say that I never had a normal high school experience. I've always been homeschooled because I've been working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/i-always-say-that-i-never-had-a-normal-high-school-experience-i-ve/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [Anyone who knows me will say I'm the most normal bloke you'll ever meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rylan-clark-neal/anyone-who-knows-me-will-say-i-m-the-most-normal-bloke-you-ll-ever/) [Rylan Clark-Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rylan-clark-neal/) > [“Did I say normal had left the building? At this point, I couldn't find normal with a flashlight and a GPS.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delia-james/did-i-say-normal-had-left-the-building-at-this-point-i-couldn-t-find/) Delia James > [I would say I'm the normal level of 'SpongeBob' fan, which is that it's been out since I was a kid, and it's part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-slater/i-would-say-i-m-the-normal-level-of-spongebob-fan-which-is-that-it-s/) [Ethan Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-slater/) > [“You don't have to,' I say. 'You are normal. You have a job with tenure. You have Lucia and this house.' I cannot say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-moon/you-don-t-have-to-i-say-you-are-normal-you-have-a-job-with-tenure-you/) [Elizabeth Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-moon/) > [Why can't I say anything normal?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lawrence/why-can-t-i-say-anything-normal/) [Jennifer Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lawrence/) > [Don't mind all those people who say that you should be back to normal in a month or two. Grieving is all part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/don-t-mind-all-those-people-who-say-that-you-should-be-back-to-normal/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Who's to say what's better or worse anyway? Who's to even say what's normal or average? We're all different people and we're allowed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/who-s-to-say-what-s-better-or-worse-anyway-who-s-to-even-say-what-s/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I'm totally normal. I think it's obnoxious when people demand limos or bodyguards. I eat at McDonald's or Taco Bell. My parents always taught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-hilton/i-m-totally-normal-i-think-it-s-obnoxious-when-people-demand-limos-or/) [Paris Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-hilton/) > [If I’m as normal as I think I am, we’re all a bunch of weirdos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-brainard/if-i-m-as-normal-as-i-think-i-am-we-re-all-a-bunch-of-weirdos/) [Joe Brainard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-brainard/) > [When I think of normality I think of mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-mediocrity/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## More by Gillian Anderson > [I used to take myself very seriously, now it's all just funny. You gotta laugh at yourself. You know, most of the time when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-used-to-take-myself-very-seriously-now-it-s-all-just-funny-you/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I was arrested on graduation night for breaking and entering into the high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-was-arrested-on-graduation-night-for-breaking-and-entering-into-the/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. I would like to think that is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-tormented-you-cannot-be-vital/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I loved being in London. But what I loved the most, I think, and what I learned from the most, was about the 'moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-loved-being-in-london-but-what-i-loved-the-most-i-think-and-what-i/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I think she definitely has. I think, um, her and Mulder's relationship has become more equal. And, I think she has become stronger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-think-she-definitely-has-i-think-um-her-and-mulder-s-relationship/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [Let's practice what we preach, and with the acceptance that we expect from others, let's stop being so damn judgmental and crucifying everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/let-s-practice-what-we-preach-and-with-the-acceptance-that-we-expect/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I've been very careful. I've gone through pretty much everything. I'm very careful not to let go of the prized possessions, or too much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-ve-been-very-careful-i-ve-gone-through-pretty-much-everything-i-m/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [Only once have I taken on a role where I felt that I didn't quite understand her, but I said yes anyway. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/only-once-have-i-taken-on-a-role-where-i-felt-that-i-didn-t-quite/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I hope everyone that is reading this is having a really good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-hope-everyone-that-is-reading-this-is-having-a-really-good-day/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I go through periods when I feel confident and then I'm apt to be impulsive. But then I go through other times where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-go-through-periods-when-i-feel-confident-and-then-i-m-apt-to-be/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [You know, it's a big version of an episode, which I think is necessary at this point because we're drawing in people who not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/you-know-it-s-a-big-version-of-an-episode-which-i-think-is-necessary/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I was a good liar as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-was-a-good-liar-as-a-child/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [After I did nine years of a television series, I didn't want to do anything really that involved going to a set and being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/after-i-did-nine-years-of-a-television-series-i-didn-t-want-to-do/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I could see It's a Wonderful Life over and over and over again. It's just something. I have actually seen it over and over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-could-see-it-s-a-wonderful-life-over-and-over-and-over-again-it-s/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/you-know-one-day-you-look-at-the-person-and-you-see-something-more/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) [Explore all 112 Gillian Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## More Mediocrity quotes > [Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/mediocrity-knows-nothing-higher-than-itself-but-talent-instantly/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Christianity does not oppose debauchery and uncontrollable passions and the like as much as it opposes... flat mediocrity, this nauseating atmosphere, this homey, civil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/christianity-does-not-oppose-debauchery-and-uncontrollable-passions/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [It is an error common to many artists, who strive merely to avoid mistakes, when all our efforts should be to create positive and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-steichen/it-is-an-error-common-to-many-artists-who-strive-merely-to-avoid/) [Edward Steichen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-steichen/) > [Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beerbohm/only-mediocrity-can-be-trusted-to-be-always-at-its-best/) [Max Beerbohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beerbohm/) > [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [If you want to be average, do what others do. If you want to be awesome, do what no one does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-den-heijer/if-you-want-to-be-average-do-what-others-do-if-you-want-to-be-awesome/) [Alexander Den Heijer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-den-heijer/) > [There has been an obvious effort to play it safe, to make 'Bonanza' a good family show that would offend no one and hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pernell-roberts/there-has-been-an-obvious-effort-to-play-it-safe-to-make-bonanza-a/) [Pernell Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pernell-roberts/) > [Philadelphians are every whit as mediocre as their neighbors, but they seldom encourage each other in mediocrity by giving it a more agreeable name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/philadelphians-are-every-whit-as-mediocre-as-their-neighbors-but-they/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Once you decide that mediocrity is unthinkable, your only choices are excellence and quitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-murray/once-you-decide-that-mediocrity-is-unthinkable-your-only-choices-are/) [Nick Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-murray/) > [At independence Kenya's economic indicators were equal to those of South Korea, but 45 years down the road, Korea's economy is 40 times that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raila-odinga/at-independence-kenya-s-economic-indicators-were-equal-to-those-of/) [Raila Odinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raila-odinga/) > [Trying to be cool is the easiest path to mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crews/trying-to-be-cool-is-the-easiest-path-to-mediocrity/) [Terry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crews/) > [All greatness of character is dependent on individuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/all-greatness-of-character-is-dependent-on-individuality/) [James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [When Americans decry our politicians, we must remember that ultimately, politicians reflect us. When we demand more than mediocrity - and the passing comforts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-strock/when-americans-decry-our-politicians-we-must-remember-that-ultimately/) [James M Strock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-strock/) > [We will meet our challenges head on and we will do it by rejecting the politics of mediocrity and corruption. You voted for change;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-blagojevich/we-will-meet-our-challenges-head-on-and-we-will-do-it-by-rejecting/) [Rod Blagojevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-blagojevich/) > [The greatest danger to Christianity is, I contend, not heresies, not heterodoxies, not atheists, not profane secularism - no, but the kind of orthodoxy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/the-greatest-danger-to-christianity-is-i-contend-not-heresies-not/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) [Browse all 929 Mediocrity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocrity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. 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