Approach Quote by Jonathan Santlofer
“I found with poetry that I couldn't keep it up. I was too vulnerable. Maybe I was too aware of the audience. And I had impossibly high standards that I could never approach. So there was always a sense of being a failure, and of being vulnerable.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast episode with Jonathan Santlofer, 2022
The poet felt overwhelmed by self‑criticism, audience awareness, and unattainable standards, leading to a persistent sense of failure and vulnerability.
In simple terms: Self‑criticism and high standards caused feeling like a failure.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection, lower unrealistic expectations.
Themes
vulnerability
self‑criticism
creativity
confidence
failure
Mood
anxious
reflective
determined
Type
advice
personal growth
creative
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- public readings
- personal journaling
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
perfectionism
audience effect
self‑esteem
creative block
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards are truly necessary for growth?
- How can you separate audience perception from personal expression?
A Different Perspective
Even small progress can be seen as failure if standards are too high.
