---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I think of normality I think of…"
description: "\"When I think of normality I think of mediocrity\" — Gillian Anderson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg"
---

#  When I think of normality I think of mediocrity

![“When I think of normality I think of mediocrity” quote by Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg)

> “When I think of normality I think of mediocrity”

[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.

Normality often masks mediocrity, suggesting conformity can suppress excellence.

**In simple terms:** Normality can be mediocrity.

Key Takeaway

Strive for excellence beyond the norm.

Themes

conformity excellence individuality

Mood

reflective challenging

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- creative projects
- academic pursuits
- leadership roles
- innovation challenges

Key Concepts

social norms personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

- What does excellence mean to you?
- How can you balance individuality with community?

A Different Perspective

Pursuing uniqueness may cause social isolation or conflict.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocrity/) [Normality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normality/) [Normality Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normality-think-1277695/) [Think Mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-mediocrity-1277693/) [Think Normality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-normality-1277694/) [Think of me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-of-me/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [Who wouldn't like to give up normal life? I mean, normal life, you know, is the second worst thing to death itself. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vik-muniz/who-wouldn-t-like-to-give-up-normal-life-i-mean-normal-life-you-know/)

[Vik Muniz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vik-muniz/)

> [There are a lot of factors in the life of an F1 driver which can combine to make you believe that you are somehow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-hill/there-are-a-lot-of-factors-in-the-life-of-an-f1-driver-which-can/)

[Damon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-hill/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relatively-stable-when-i-think-of/)

[Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/)

> [The classicist, and the naturalist who has much in common with him, refuse to see in the highest works of art anything but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/the-classicist-and-the-naturalist-who-has-much-in-common-with-him/)

[Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/)

> [The great thing about my two lives is I love them both. I'm very ambitious and nothing gets in the way of me practising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/the-great-thing-about-my-two-lives-is-i-love-them-both-i-m-very/)

[Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/)

> [“Times like this, I don't wish for ignorance. I look around and I see the bloated ignorance of the lumpen proletariat: roly-poly, sausage-fingered, ginger-topped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayize-jama-everett/times-like-this-i-don-t-wish-for-ignorance-i-look-around-and-i-see/)

[Ayize Jama-Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayize-jama-everett/)

> [Green consumerism generally, and 'healthy' products and lifestyles in particular, contain quite precise notions about how an individual should consider his or her well-being.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dickens/green-consumerism-generally-and-healthy-products-and-lifestyles-in/)

[Peter Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dickens/)

> [Being a famous writer is a little like being a tall dwarf. You're on the edge of normality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/being-a-famous-writer-is-a-little-like-being-a-tall-dwarf-you-re-on/)

[John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/)

> [Are you suggesting I’m not normal? (Nykyrian) Oh yeah, baby, you ooze normality. From the top of that assassin’s braid to the tip of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/are-you-suggesting-i-m-not-normal-nykyrian-oh-yeah-baby-you-ooze/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [“The fact that responding to a child’s needs by giving her the breast was normal for 99.9% of humans’ existence, and ensured our survival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-palmer/the-fact-that-responding-to-a-child-s-needs-by-giving-her-the-breast/)

[Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-palmer/)

> [The red carpet is kind of a surreal experience. There's nothing normal about it, so for me the most important thing is to maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-barks/the-red-carpet-is-kind-of-a-surreal-experience-there-s-nothing-normal/)

[Samantha Barks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-barks/)

> [Normality wasn't normal. It couldn't be. If normality were normal, everybody could leave it alone. They could sit back and let normality manifest itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/normality-wasn-t-normal-it-couldn-t-be-if-normality-were-normal/)

[Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/)

> [I find it difficult enough as it is to keep some kind of normality in my life. I enjoy this experience, but I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-michael/i-find-it-difficult-enough-as-it-is-to-keep-some-kind-of-normality-in/)

[George Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-michael/)

> [“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/)

> ["Natural" is a very dangerous word to use about sexuality ... Our society's notions of normality are completely fake and meta-trendy, since they rely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susie-bright/natural-is-a-very-dangerous-word-to-use-about-sexuality-our-society-s/)

[Susie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susie-bright/)

## 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/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relatively-stable-when-i-think-of/)

[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/)

[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": "When I think of normality I think of mediocrity",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Gillian Anderson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-mediocrity/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Mediocrity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-mediocrity/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/gillian-anderson-4381_mediocrity_when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-med_905031.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I think of normality I think of mediocrity” — Gillian Anderson",
                "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": "Gillian Anderson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When I think of normality I...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-mediocrity/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/when-i-think-of-normality-i-think-of-mediocrity/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
