Psychology Quote by John Gardner
“By the time you've run your mind through it a hundred times, relentlessly worked out every tic of terror, it's lost its power over you...Soon it's a story on a page or, more precisely, everybody's story on a page.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Grendel, 1971
Repeated mental rehearsal of fear eventually desensitizes you, turning terror into a story you can read.
In simple terms: Thinking about fear many reduces its power.
Key Takeaway
Write down fears to diminish their grip.
Themes
psychology
fear
resilience
storytelling
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
calming
Type
self‑help
literary
When to use this quote
- personal journaling
- therapy sessions
- stress management
Key Concepts
cognitive reframing
exposure therapy
narrative therapy
Questions to Reflect On
- What fear have you turned into a story?
- How does narrativizing fear change its impact?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on rationalization may ignore underlying trauma.
