--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Me being a shy kid, very closed off…" description: "\"Me being a shy kid, very closed off, showing vulnerability in a character was sort of a safe space on stage. It's always been in my toolbox, there for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83a/jesse-tyler-ferguson-18405_character_me-being-a-shy-kid-very-closed-off-showi_1309249.jpg" --- # Me being a shy kid, very closed off, showing vulnerability… ![“Me being a shy kid, very closed off, showing vulnerability in a character was sort of a safe space on stage. It's always been in my toolbox, there for me when I need it.” quote by Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83a/jesse-tyler-ferguson-18405_character_me-being-a-shy-kid-very-closed-off-showi_1309249.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83a/jesse-tyler-ferguson-18405_character_me-being-a-shy-kid-very-closed-off-showi_1309249.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83a/jesse-tyler-ferguson-18405_character_me-being-a-shy-kid-very-closed-off-showi_1309249.jpg) > “Me being a shy kid, very closed off, showing vulnerability in a character was sort of a safe space on stage. It's always been in my toolbox, there for me when I need it.” [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using vulnerability as a performance tool provides a safe outlet for personal expression and growth. **In simple terms:** Vulnerability on stage offers safe self‑expression. Key Takeaway Leverage personal openness to enhance art. Themes self‑expression vulnerability performance Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical advisory When to use this quote - theatre - public speaking - personal development Key Concepts psychology authenticity creative process Questions to Reflect On - When does vulnerability become exploitation? - How to balance authenticity with self‑care? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on vulnerability may expose personal pain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Safe space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-space/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Vulnerability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerability/) ## Related quotes > [If you're going to play strength, you've got to marry that with a vulnerability and give your character some relatable qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/if-you-re-going-to-play-strength-you-ve-got-to-marry-that-with-a/) [Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/) > [The hardest thing about being a leader is demonstrating or showing vulnerability. And that has a lot to do with trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-hardest-thing-about-being-a-leader-is-demonstrating-or-showing/) [Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/) > [Generosity is as much showing your vulnerability as it is your passion for something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-droga/generosity-is-as-much-showing-your-vulnerability-as-it-is-your/) [David Droga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-droga/) > [You don't hear no artists from Compton showing vulnerability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/you-don-t-hear-no-artists-from-compton-showing-vulnerability/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) > [Showing vulnerability for men is really important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-blades/showing-vulnerability-for-men-is-really-important/) [Jay Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-blades/) > [I don't have a problem showing vulnerability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamman-rucker/i-don-t-have-a-problem-showing-vulnerability/) [Lamman Rucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamman-rucker/) > [I think a lot of people become actors because they have a great reservoir and repertoire of many different emotions they felt over their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-bello/i-think-a-lot-of-people-become-actors-because-they-have-a-great/) [Maria Bello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-bello/) > [“The most powerful tool you possess is your own belief in yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-wallace/the-most-powerful-tool-you-possess-is-your-own-belief-in-yourself/) [Carlos Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-wallace/) > [Then, you know, the other more-traditional role of the producer in, like, the kind of Quincy Jones sense is kind of part arranger. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ronson/then-you-know-the-other-more-traditional-role-of-the-producer-in-like/) [Mark Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ronson/) > [Nature has provided us a spectacular toolbox. The toolbox exists. An architect far better and smarter than us has given us that toolbox, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-schuler/nature-has-provided-us-a-spectacular-toolbox-the-toolbox-exists-an/) [Barry Schuler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-schuler/) > [I want to use every tool in the toolbox that's at our disposal to help our economy and put people back to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-hagan/i-want-to-use-every-tool-in-the-toolbox-that-s-at-our-disposal-to/) [Kay Hagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-hagan/) > [“Why waste the space on a stack of half-read books and periodicals, when you could turn your nightstand into a tactical toolbox?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-emerson/why-waste-the-space-on-a-stack-of-half-read-books-and-periodicals/) Clint Emerson > [I don't know how to fix a car. If the car breaks down, and the gas tank does not say "E", I'm screwed. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-know-how-to-fix-a-car-if-the-car-breaks-down-and-the-gas-tank/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I'm of the philosophy that you wage a campaign of full engagement and you use every tool in the toolbox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wilson/i-m-of-the-philosophy-that-you-wage-a-campaign-of-full-engagement-and/) [Rick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wilson/) > [I think the emotional toolbox I have is healthy for an actor, as far as the intensity of emotions go. It's other things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannyn-sossamon/i-think-the-emotional-toolbox-i-have-is-healthy-for-an-actor-as-far/) [Shannyn Sossamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannyn-sossamon/) ## More by Jesse Tyler Ferguson > [I'm so in love, every time I look at you my soul gets dizzy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-m-so-in-love-every-time-i-look-at-you-my-soul-gets-dizzy/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [At my first Golden Globes, I met people I was very much enamored by: Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/at-my-first-golden-globes-i-met-people-i-was-very-much-enamored-by/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [I like suits. I mean, I always feel good in a suit; I'm more of a suit guy than a shirt-and-jeans-type guy, probably. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-like-suits-i-mean-i-always-feel-good-in-a-suit-i-m-more-of-a-suit/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [Angels, pixies, faerie dust Treading love and living lust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/angels-pixies-faerie-dust-treading-love-and-living-lust/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [Well, certainly at the Golden Globes, during every commercial break everyone gets up and schmoozes with each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/well-certainly-at-the-golden-globes-during-every-commercial-break/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [I always bring my Jiffy Esteam steamer to get the wrinkles out of our clothes. It's powerful enough to press a suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-always-bring-my-jiffy-esteam-steamer-to-get-the-wrinkles-out-of-our/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [I kind of cheer the presence of any gay characters at all - I think the more we can saturate television with any gay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-kind-of-cheer-the-presence-of-any-gay-characters-at-all-i-think-the/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [My dad has always been very proud of me but I think I have exceeded his expectations. When I told him I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/my-dad-has-always-been-very-proud-of-me-but-i-think-i-have-exceeded/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [I did my New York debut at 21. It was 'On the Town' at the George Gershwin Theatre. New York is my artistic home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-did-my-new-york-debut-at-21-it-was-on-the-town-at-the-george/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [I started taking my fiance, Justin, to some red carpet events I would go to, and a bowtie is often something that was required.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-started-taking-my-fiance-justin-to-some-red-carpet-events-i-would/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [I wanted to be an actor because I wanted to be onstage. I wanted to do musical theater, and from that I realized I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/i-wanted-to-be-an-actor-because-i-wanted-to-be-onstage-i-wanted-to-do/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [As an actor, you just want to work, and then you just want to be on a show or have a job that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/as-an-actor-you-just-want-to-work-and-then-you-just-want-to-be-on-a/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [When you're on TV, you're looking at a half-page of material, trying to memorize it really quickly. By the time it's on TV, I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/when-you-re-on-tv-you-re-looking-at-a-half-page-of-material-trying-to/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [The definition of marriage cannot be disputed. It's right there in black and white and it's been the same since the start of Wikipedia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/the-definition-of-marriage-cannot-be-disputed-it-s-right-there-in/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) > [Having red hair is never good when you're a kid. I was picked on a lot and didn't have a lot of friends. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-tyler-ferguson/having-red-hair-is-never-good-when-you-re-a-kid-i-was-picked-on-a-lot/) [Jesse Tyler Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) [Explore all 35 Jesse Tyler Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-tyler-ferguson/) ## More Character 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/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. 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But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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