Doing things Quote by Joan Didion
““He meant doing things not because we were expected to do them or had always done them or should do them but because we wanted to do them””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Motivation”, The New Yorker, 1979
People should act out of genuine desire, not merely from obligation, tradition, or expectation.
In simple terms: Act from personal desire, not external pressure.
Follow your own motivations.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career choices
- creative projects
- daily routines
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly drives your actions?
- How can you differentiate desire from duty?
External expectations can still influence decisions despite intentions.