--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stuffing our memories might become…" description: "\"“Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the years, but it requires a mental vigilance that separates us from our inner world. It's building o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg" --- # Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the… ![“Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the years, but it requires a mental vigilance that separates us from our inner world. It's building our lives making sure we never step on any path that might lead us to the tender and scary places we carry within us. We don't dare explore the…” quote by Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg) > ““Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the years, but it requires a mental vigilance that separates us from our inner world. It's building our lives making sure we never step on any path that might lead us to the tender and scary places we carry within us. We don't dare explore the unknown. We can't allow new possibilities. And yet, those are the very paths connected to the core of who we are beyond our abuse.”” [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We often protect ourselves by avoiding painful memories, but doing so blocks personal growth and self‑discovery. **In simple terms:** Avoiding pain limits growth. Key Takeaway Face inner fears to grow. Themes self‑awareness healing growth Mood reflective hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal journaling - support groups - creative expression Key Concepts psychology trauma resilience Questions to Reflect On - What fears are you avoiding? - How might confronting them change your life? A Different Perspective Avoiding trauma can also cause emotional numbness if not balanced with support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) [Abuse-survivors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse-survivors/) [Childhood-abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood-abuse/) [Childhood-sexual-abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood-sexual-abuse/) [Effects-of-child-abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects-of-child-abuse/) [Gotospirit-com](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gotospirit-com/) [Harrietta-s-happenstance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harrietta-s-happenstance/) [Inner world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-world/) [Jeanne-mcelvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jeanne-mcelvaney/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Spirit-unbroken-abby-s-story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit-unbroken-abby-s-story/) [Survivors-of-abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survivors-of-abuse/) ## Related quotes > [“Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/survivors-of-abuse-show-us-the-strength-of-their-personal-spirit/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“So many moments of potential holiday joy got buried in the pain of our abuse. Now these days offer us a chance to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/so-many-moments-of-potential-holiday-joy-got-buried-in-the-pain-of/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“When you feel caught in the web of childhood abuse, find words to describe it. Write them. Say them. Express them. In safe places,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-you-feel-caught-in-the-web-of-childhood-abuse-find-words-to/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“We aren't the weeds in the crack of life. We're the strong,amazing flowers that found a way to grow in the most challenging conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/we-aren-t-the-weeds-in-the-crack-of-life-we-re-the-strong-amazing/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“There are many heartfelt reasons for pushing our childhood sexual abuse to the edge of our lives and one amazing reason to embrace a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/there-are-many-heartfelt-reasons-for-pushing-our-childhood-sexual/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Honoring all ways we survived our childhood abuse is healing. We were amazing and courageous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/honoring-all-ways-we-survived-our-childhood-abuse-is-healing-we-were/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Survivors are often incredibly aware and perceptive. What was born of necessity becomes a response that is gentle and understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/survivors-are-often-incredibly-aware-and-perceptive-what-was-born-of/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“When we learn to recognize the unique quality of Memory-Dreams, we are empowered. The abused child within us is using them to talk to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-we-learn-to-recognize-the-unique-quality-of-memory-dreams-we-are/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“You can recognize survivors by their creativity. In soulful, insightful, gentle, and nurturing creations, they often express the inner beauty they brought out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/you-can-recognize-survivors-by-their-creativity-in-soulful-insightful/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“You can recognize survivors of abuse by their courage. When silence is so very inviting, they step forward and share their truth so others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/you-can-recognize-survivors-of-abuse-by-their-courage-when-silence-is/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Sometimes, during our healing journeys, those closest to us can’t help even though we all wish it could be that way. Allow those moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/sometimes-during-our-healing-journeys-those-closest-to-us-can-t-help/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“In the weeds of childhood sexual abuse, we are the sturdy flowers that kept reaching for a slip of sunshine and a trickle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/in-the-weeds-of-childhood-sexual-abuse-we-are-the-sturdy-flowers-that/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Dissociated trauma memories don't reveal themselves like ordinary memories. Like pieces of a puzzle, they escape the primitive part of our brain where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/dissociated-trauma-memories-don-t-reveal-themselves-like-ordinary/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“There is a moment in our healing journey when our denial crumbles; we realize our experience and it's continued effects on us won't "just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/there-is-a-moment-in-our-healing-journey-when-our-denial-crumbles-we/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Logic becomes a loud voice when the wall of our past abuse begin to crack with awareness. But that's our adult speaking. The child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/logic-becomes-a-loud-voice-when-the-wall-of-our-past-abuse-begin-to/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) ## More by Jeanne McElvaney > [“When you're scared, invite your spirit out of hiding. Wear pointed shoes with build in sass > Let your wings take you where your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-you-re-scared-invite-your-spirit-out-of-hiding-wear-pointed/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Awareness is a gentle beauty. It hovers around me like a fairy, pointing to those things I would miss if I didn't look past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/awareness-is-a-gentle-beauty-it-hovers-around-me-like-a-fairy/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Survivors of abuse show us the strength of their personal spirit every time they smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/survivors-of-abuse-show-us-the-strength-of-their-personal-spirit/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“When there is no purpose of thought or activities to keep us firmly planted in routines, we connect to our personal spirit. Then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-there-is-no-purpose-of-thought-or-activities-to-keep-us-firmly/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Serendipity will take you beyond the currents of what is familiar. Invite it. Watch for it. Allow it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/serendipity-will-take-you-beyond-the-currents-of-what-is-familiar/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“There is a moment in our healing journey when our denial crumbles; we realize our experience and it's continued effects on us won't "just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/there-is-a-moment-in-our-healing-journey-when-our-denial-crumbles-we/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Dissociated trauma memories don't reveal themselves like ordinary memories. Like pieces of a puzzle, they escape the primitive part of our brain where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/dissociated-trauma-memories-don-t-reveal-themselves-like-ordinary/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“To know the outcome of a desire means you are relying on what you already know. True change comes in colors you've never imagined.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/to-know-the-outcome-of-a-desire-means-you-are-relying-on-what-you/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“In the weeds of childhood sexual abuse, we are the sturdy flowers that kept reaching for a slip of sunshine and a trickle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/in-the-weeds-of-childhood-sexual-abuse-we-are-the-sturdy-flowers-that/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Sometimes, during our healing journeys, those closest to us can’t help even though we all wish it could be that way. Allow those moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/sometimes-during-our-healing-journeys-those-closest-to-us-can-t-help/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“You can recognize survivors of abuse by their courage. When silence is so very inviting, they step forward and share their truth so others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/you-can-recognize-survivors-of-abuse-by-their-courage-when-silence-is/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“You can recognize survivors by their creativity. In soulful, insightful, gentle, and nurturing creations, they often express the inner beauty they brought out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/you-can-recognize-survivors-by-their-creativity-in-soulful-insightful/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“When we learn to recognize the unique quality of Memory-Dreams, we are empowered. The abused child within us is using them to talk to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/when-we-learn-to-recognize-the-unique-quality-of-memory-dreams-we-are/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Survivors are often incredibly aware and perceptive. What was born of necessity becomes a response that is gentle and understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/survivors-are-often-incredibly-aware-and-perceptive-what-was-born-of/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) > [“Honoring all ways we survived our childhood abuse is healing. We were amazing and courageous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/honoring-all-ways-we-survived-our-childhood-abuse-is-healing-we-were/) [Jeanne McElvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) [Explore all 45 Jeanne McElvaney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/) ## More Abuse quotes > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Being nice is okay,but don't allow anybody to abuse it...try to fight for your self when you know your on the right way...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-nice-is-okay-but-don-t-allow-anybody-to-abuse-it-try-to-fight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Build a bridge over shame by teaching kids about sexual abuse. Give them a chance to run to us should they encounter it. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-byers-ruch/build-a-bridge-over-shame-by-teaching-kids-about-sexual-abuse-give/) [Carolyn Byers Ruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-byers-ruch/) > [It is sure that those are most desirous of honour or glory who cry out loudest of its abuse and the vanity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/it-is-sure-that-those-are-most-desirous-of-honour-or-glory-who-cry/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“The sole reason I stand to open it up now is that lots of people who are in pain just like I was, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/the-sole-reason-i-stand-to-open-it-up-now-is-that-lots-of-people-who/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [I have a theory that all abuse, no matter what kind of abuse it is, is foremost an assault on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-westover/i-have-a-theory-that-all-abuse-no-matter-what-kind-of-abuse-it-is-is/) [Tara Westover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-westover/) > [“Blaming therapy, social work and other caring professions for the confabulation of testimony of 'satanic ritual abuse' legitimated a programme of political and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/blaming-therapy-social-work-and-other-caring-professions-for-the/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/) [Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/) > [“Stand up for yourself. Never give any one permission to abuse you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/stand-up-for-yourself-never-give-any-one-permission-to-abuse-you/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/all-governments-should-be-pressured-to-correct-their-abuses-of-human/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [“Words are free. It does not mean you should abuse them. Be kind with them. They will mirror your actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hadinet-tekie/words-are-free-it-does-not-mean-you-should-abuse-them-be-kind-with/) [Hadinet Tekie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hadinet-tekie/) > [My illness is one often characterized by dramatic overspending - in my case through frenzied shopping sprees, credit card abuse, excessive hoarding of unnecessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-behrman/my-illness-is-one-often-characterized-by-dramatic-overspending-in-my/) [Andy Behrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-behrman/) [Browse all 3,113 Abuse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abuse/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the years, but it requires a mental vigilance that separates us from our inner world. It's building our lives making sure we never step on any path that might lead us to the tender and scary places we carry within us. We don't dare explore the unknown. We can't allow new possibilities. And yet, those are the very paths connected to the core of who we are beyond our abuse.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeanne McElvaney" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/stuffing-our-memories-might-become-familiar-over-the-years-but-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abuse" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/stuffing-our-memories-might-become-familiar-over-the-years-but-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e47/jeanne-mcelvaney-14715_abuse-recovery_stuffing-our-memories-might-become-famil_391912.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Stuffing our memories might become familiar over the years, but it requires a mental vigilance that…” — Jeanne McElvaney", "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": "Jeanne McElvaney", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcelvaney/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Stuffing our memories might become familiar...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/stuffing-our-memories-might-become-familiar-over-the-years-but-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcelvaney/stuffing-our-memories-might-become-familiar-over-the-years-but-it/#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 } } ] } ```