--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As I paddle along, I slowly become aware…" description: "\"“As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been fear keeping me out of this pool for so many years. I never came here before because I was afr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/jen-lancaster-6189_fear_as-i-paddle-along-i-slowly-become-aware_2725989.png" --- # As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been… ![“As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been fear keeping me out of this pool for so many years. I never came here before because I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself by not having the endurance to complete a lap. The swimming wasn't what scared me; failure was. My fear locked me in a…” quote by Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/jen-lancaster-6189_fear_as-i-paddle-along-i-slowly-become-aware_2725989.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/jen-lancaster-6189_fear_as-i-paddle-along-i-slowly-become-aware_2725989.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/jen-lancaster-6189_fear_as-i-paddle-along-i-slowly-become-aware_2725989.png) > ““As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been fear keeping me out of this pool for so many years. I never came here before because I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself by not having the endurance to complete a lap. The swimming wasn't what scared me; failure was. My fear locked me in a state of arrested development for so many years. Fear kept me from tackling my weight, which I understand has simply been symptomatic of my greater fear, growing up. I glide down the lane on my back and reflect on how good I feel right now. It's not because I've lost more than thirty pounds. I feel incredible because I've stopped being afraid.”” [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overcoming fear unlocks personal growth and physical achievement; fear, not the activity, held the author back. **In simple terms:** Fear stopped progress; confronting it brings freedom. Key Takeaway Face fears to move forward. Themes self‑improvement fear body image Mood determined hopeful Type motivational personal growth When to use this quote - starting a new exercise routine - addressing weight concerns - building confidence - overcoming self‑doubt - seeking supportive community Key Concepts psychology behavioral change self‑acceptance Questions to Reflect On - What fear is holding you back? - How can you turn fear into motivation? A Different Perspective Fear may resurface; sustained effort and support are needed to maintain progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrested Development](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrested-development/) [Failure Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure-fear/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Keeping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-keeping-2918545/) [Feel Incredible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-incredible-503485/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Stopped Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped-afraid-1344332/) [Wasn Scared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasn-scared-558868/) ## Related quotes > [One thing about being successful is that I stopped being afraid of dying. Once you're a star you're dead already. You're embalmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-hoffman/one-thing-about-being-successful-is-that-i-stopped-being-afraid-of/) [Dustin Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-hoffman/) > [I'm not going to run or be silent for fear of keeping a fan base.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-rothwell/i-m-not-going-to-run-or-be-silent-for-fear-of-keeping-a-fan-base/) [Natasha Rothwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-rothwell/) > [“Something good happened to my writing when stopped being afraid to do something simple, for the fear that people might think I couldn’t do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-newcomer/something-good-happened-to-my-writing-when-stopped-being-afraid-to-do/) [Carrie Newcomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-newcomer/) > [Maybe it was inertia -or worse, fear- that was keeping me in the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-weiner/maybe-it-was-inertia-or-worse-fear-that-was-keeping-me-in-the-same/) [Jennifer Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-weiner/) > [The feeling after the first title was shock. But both feel incredible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-livingston/the-feeling-after-the-first-title-was-shock-but-both-feel-incredible/) [Shaun Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-livingston/) > [From the first time I swung a PXG club I have wanted to add them to my bag. They feel incredible and the performance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/from-the-first-time-i-swung-a-pxg-club-i-have-wanted-to-add-them-to/) [Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/) > [I feel that it's nothing if not an incredible privilege to be able to get up on stage and play for people, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/i-feel-that-it-s-nothing-if-not-an-incredible-privilege-to-be-able-to/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [The way you make me feel is incredible. I remember the day we met, I did not even know that you might be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-bognar/the-way-you-make-me-feel-is-incredible-i-remember-the-day-we-met-i/) [Jenna Bognar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-bognar/) > [Ever had a revelation that made you feel as if you'd had an incredible bowel movement?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romany-malco/ever-had-a-revelation-that-made-you-feel-as-if-you-d-had-an/) [Romany Malco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romany-malco/) > [Even though I'm in mourning, I feel an incredible sense of achievement. I can hardly believe I have finally written the ending I've been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-3/even-though-i-m-in-mourning-i-feel-an-incredible-sense-of-achievement/) [J K Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-3/) > [I never want the girls I work with to feel like back-up. The world doesn't make us feel like stars all the time, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bree-runway/i-never-want-the-girls-i-work-with-to-feel-like-back-up-the-world/) [Bree Runway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bree-runway/) > [I feel incredible that I've managed to connect with the youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/i-feel-incredible-that-i-ve-managed-to-connect-with-the-youth/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [“You feel incredible, Mia,” I say. But the truth is she feels fucking perfect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-feel-incredible-mia-i-say-but-the-truth-is-she-feels-fucking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's not easy to feel like a local player all over the world and that's how I feel. It's incredible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-martin-del-potro/it-s-not-easy-to-feel-like-a-local-player-all-over-the-world-and-that/) [Juan Martin del Potro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-martin-del-potro/) > [“We won’t go any further than this, I promise. But please don’t ask me to stop where we already are. I need to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/we-won-t-go-any-further-than-this-i-promise-but-please-don-t-ask-me/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) ## More by Jen Lancaster > [“donut can give you the kind of hug from inside that celery just can’t muster.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/donut-can-give-you-the-kind-of-hug-from-inside-that-celery-just-can-t/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [I never ever, ever say anything against my husband to anyone except my husband. Everyone gets in fights, and I think the natural propensity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/i-never-ever-ever-say-anything-against-my-husband-to-anyone-except-my/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [Despite my best efforts, I'm not quite perfect. Let's just say I'm like one of those Hopi blankets where they leave a tiny flaw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/despite-my-best-efforts-i-m-not-quite-perfect-let-s-just-say-i-m-like/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [Fletch then kisses me on the forehead before opening the cabinet under the coffeemaker to grab placemats and napkins. Retrieving these items is his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/fletch-then-kisses-me-on-the-forehead-before-opening-the-cabinet/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“If I were a lesbian and had a thing for narcissistic ex-sorority girls? I’d totally do me." 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It was like thinking I was heading to a surprise party and instead it was a surprise pap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/you-know-what-it-was-like-it-was-like-thinking-i-was-heading-to-a/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“But there's always a chance she's hiding a flask and a Nixon-esque Enemies List in her pinafore apron, which is exactly why we're such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/but-there-s-always-a-chance-she-s-hiding-a-flask-and-a-nixon-esque/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“Cost to clean deeply soiled rugs: $200. Cost to replace shiny, black, stack-heeled, pilgrim-toed boots: $185. Cost to fix every single delicious table and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/cost-to-clean-deeply-soiled-rugs-200-cost-to-replace-shiny-black/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“I love the French and Italian church paintings from the Middle Ages. But I'm also interested to learn more about who was the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/i-love-the-french-and-italian-church-paintings-from-the-middle-ages/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“You know why I love HGTV? It's not just that I get a peek into other people's lives. It's that everyone's always thrilled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/you-know-why-i-love-hgtv-it-s-not-just-that-i-get-a-peek-into-other/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [I yearn to be a woman of more depth, but I'm not so fond of the path I'd need to follow to get there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/i-yearn-to-be-a-woman-of-more-depth-but-i-m-not-so-fond-of-the-path-i/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [I never sleep on the plane. I have to be awake and using my mind power to keep it in the air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/i-never-sleep-on-the-plane-i-have-to-be-awake-and-using-my-mind-power/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [“Yeah, I'm over forty, flighty, and fluffy- I'd say I'm not ideal bouncer material.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/yeah-i-m-over-forty-flighty-and-fluffy-i-d-say-i-m-not-ideal-bouncer/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [When did the cell phone become a license to be rude? And why must I be subjected to your personal conversations?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/when-did-the-cell-phone-become-a-license-to-be-rude-and-why-must-i-be/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) [Explore all 99 Jen Lancaster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) [Browse all 35,569 Fear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been fear keeping me out of this pool for so many years. I never came here before because I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself by not having the endurance to complete a lap. The swimming wasn't what scared me; failure was. My fear locked me in a state of arrested development for so many years. Fear kept me from tackling my weight, which I understand has simply been symptomatic of my greater fear, growing up. I glide down the lane on my back and reflect on how good I feel right now. It's not because I've lost more than thirty pounds. 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