--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was younger, I thought I had to…" description: "\"When I was younger, I thought I had to shut myself off, work really hard to cry. I learned after a while that that's just not... You know, often in lif..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/julianne-moore-2166_acting_when-i-was-younger-i-thought-i-had-to-sh_112111.jpg" --- # When I was younger, I thought I had to shut myself off… ![“When I was younger, I thought I had to shut myself off, work really hard to cry. I learned after a while that that's just not... You know, often in life, you cry when you're caught off-guard. That's where I need to be when I'm acting, too.” quote by Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/julianne-moore-2166_acting_when-i-was-younger-i-thought-i-had-to-sh_112111.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/julianne-moore-2166_acting_when-i-was-younger-i-thought-i-had-to-sh_112111.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/julianne-moore-2166_acting_when-i-was-younger-i-thought-i-had-to-sh_112111.jpg) > “When I was younger, I thought I had to shut myself off, work really hard to cry. I learned after a while that that's just not... You know, often in life, you cry when you're caught off-guard. That's where I need to be when I'm acting, too.” [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early in life I tried to suppress emotions, but I learned that authentic expression, especially surprise, is essential for genuine performance. **In simple terms:** Emotions must be felt, not hidden, to act truly. Key Takeaway Authentic feeling fuels genuine expression. Themes emotional honesty acting vulnerability self‑acceptance Mood vulnerable insightful Type reflective artistic When to use this quote - stage acting - public speaking - personal therapy Key Concepts psychology of emotion performance art Practical Applications - allow spontaneous feelings during work - practice emotional awareness Questions to Reflect On - What balance between control and spontaneity is healthy? - How does vulnerability improve creativity? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on surprise can lead to instability in personal life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I wasn't really worrying too much about what anybody thought: if you do that you shut yourself down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-moore/i-wasn-t-really-worrying-too-much-about-what-anybody-thought-if-you/) [Gary Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-moore/) > [Till I was 13, I thought my name was 'Shut Up.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-namath/till-i-was-13-i-thought-my-name-was-shut-up/) [Joe Namath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-namath/) > [Until I was 13, I thought my name was 'Shut Up.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-namath/until-i-was-13-i-thought-my-name-was-shut-up/) [Joe Namath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-namath/) > [When you know what's coming, you can not get caught off guard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-know-what-s-coming-you-can-not-get-caught-off-guard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If Mike Matheny ever went up to me and said, 'Hey, you are in,' I was never caught off-guard as far as preparation. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-pham/if-mike-matheny-ever-went-up-to-me-and-said-hey-you-are-in-i-was/) [Tommy Pham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-pham/) > [“You need to take some acting classes to learn to hide your huge crush on my husband better”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-papas/you-need-to-take-some-acting-classes-to-learn-to-hide-your-huge-crush/) [Mary Papas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-papas/) > [“You are in love with my husband. You need some acting lessons to learn to hide it better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-papas/you-are-in-love-with-my-husband-you-need-some-acting-lessons-to-learn/) [Mary Papas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-papas/) > [To be a great actor, you really don't need to go to acting school or learn dance classes or work on your body. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/to-be-a-great-actor-you-really-don-t-need-to-go-to-acting-school-or/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I need to be performing. I need to be acting. I need to be designing a condo and ripping down walls and buying new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/i-need-to-be-performing-i-need-to-be-acting-i-need-to-be-designing-a/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [I'm aiming to do what I need to do for acting and nothing more. I'm bowing down to acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbey-lee-kershaw/i-m-aiming-to-do-what-i-need-to-do-for-acting-and-nothing-more-i-m/) [Abbey Lee Kershaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbey-lee-kershaw/) > [I've come to this conclusion: What makes a great actor is great need. A huge need of acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-callow/i-ve-come-to-this-conclusion-what-makes-a-great-actor-is-great-need-a/) [Simon Callow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-callow/) > [It was tough to play a villain. But if you need me acting, I can do that for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boban-marjanovic/it-was-tough-to-play-a-villain-but-if-you-need-me-acting-i-can-do/) [Boban Marjanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boban-marjanovic/) > [When I was younger, I thought I would finish in my mid-30s because that is normal for most players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-van-der-sar/when-i-was-younger-i-thought-i-would-finish-in-my-mid-30s-because/) [Edwin van der Sar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-van-der-sar/) > [When I was younger, I always thought the President was the richest person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramon-norris/when-i-was-younger-i-always-thought-the-president-was-the-richest/) Ramon Norris > [When I was younger I thought I was an artist, and inspiration would just come to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stockard-channing/when-i-was-younger-i-thought-i-was-an-artist-and-inspiration-would/) [Stockard Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stockard-channing/) ## More by Julianne Moore > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I knew from very early on that I wanted kids. I wasn't one of those women who goes, 'Well, if it happens, it happens.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-knew-from-very-early-on-that-i-wanted-kids-i-wasn-t-one-of-those/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I hope this brings someone else the courage they need to face whatever challenge is before them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-hope-this-brings-someone-else-the-courage-they-need-to-face/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [“We redheads are a minority, we tend to notice each other - you know, and notice our identity”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/we-redheads-are-a-minority-we-tend-to-notice-each-other-you-know-and/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I think every part's a challenge, and you also never know if you're going to pull it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-think-every-part-s-a-challenge-and-you-also-never-know-if-you-re/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Well, you know, I mean, she was so wonderful, and she really played the role to perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/well-you-know-i-mean-she-was-so-wonderful-and-she-really-played-the/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I would be lying, if I said that sometimes it is just a job that you show up for because you're getting paid, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-would-be-lying-if-i-said-that-sometimes-it-is-just-a-job-that-you/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I do like to work. I have my kids' books that I do, I have movies that I do, and I model.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-do-like-to-work-i-have-my-kids-books-that-i-do-i-have-movies-that-i/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [It's pretty boring, working by yourself. The scene happens in between the two of you, and then you don't know what it's going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/it-s-pretty-boring-working-by-yourself-the-scene-happens-in-between/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I'm not someone who is driven by big external stories. I like big emotional stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-m-not-someone-who-is-driven-by-big-external-stories-i-like-big/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [We didn't have a lot of money growing up, so my mom didn't buy a lot of extras, like sweet things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/we-didn-t-have-a-lot-of-money-growing-up-so-my-mom-didn-t-buy-a-lot/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [We impose order and narrative on everything in order to understand it. Otherwise, there's nothing but chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/we-impose-order-and-narrative-on-everything-in-order-to-understand-it/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Actually I did, because I saw the film like everyone else, ten years ago and I remembered some of it. I just wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/actually-i-did-because-i-saw-the-film-like-everyone-else-ten-years/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I have women friends who are significantly younger and older than me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-have-women-friends-who-are-significantly-younger-and-older-than-me/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Movie studios aren't making too many dramas anymore; they're in the superhero business. Material for television is much, much stronger for actors now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/movie-studios-aren-t-making-too-many-dramas-anymore-they-re-in-the/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) [Explore all 182 Julianne Moore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was younger, I thought I had to shut myself off, work really hard to cry. I learned after a while that that's just not... You know, often in life, you cry when you're caught off-guard. 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