--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After it became clear that I was not…" description: "\"After it became clear that I was not going to graduate, I had this moment where I was like, 'I need to not sulk. I need to pursue - at least try - to p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/kelela-5546_clear_after-it-became-clear-that-i-was-not-goi_1792139.jpg" --- # After it became clear that I was not going to graduate, I… ![“After it became clear that I was not going to graduate, I had this moment where I was like, 'I need to not sulk. I need to pursue - at least try - to pursue music. But if I don't try, I'm going to be a really bitter middle-aged lady working in a cubicle.'” quote by Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/kelela-5546_clear_after-it-became-clear-that-i-was-not-goi_1792139.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/kelela-5546_clear_after-it-became-clear-that-i-was-not-goi_1792139.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/kelela-5546_clear_after-it-became-clear-that-i-was-not-goi_1792139.jpg) > “After it became clear that I was not going to graduate, I had this moment where I was like, 'I need to not sulk. I need to pursue - at least try - to pursue music. But if I don't try, I'm going to be a really bitter middle-aged lady working in a cubicle.'” [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Realizing the risk of bitterness, the speaker decides to pursue music rather than resign to a dull office life. **In simple terms:** Choosing creativity over resignation. Key Takeaway Act on creative passions now. Themes self‑discovery career creativity Mood determined hopeful Type motivational personal When to use this quote - career crossroads - creative projects - mid‑life reflection - job dissatisfaction Key Concepts risk‑taking self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What creative step can you take today? - How will you balance passion with livelihood? A Different Perspective Success may still require practical planning, not just passion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Going Graduate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-graduate-628457/) [Graduate Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduate-moment-1957043/) [Moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moment/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Need Sulk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-sulk-1957044/) [Pursue Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue-music-271917/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try/) [Try Pursue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-pursue-1957045/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) ## Related quotes > [I will always try to pursue music!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellie-pickler/i-will-always-try-to-pursue-music/) [Kellie Pickler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellie-pickler/) > [Why try to pursue what is completed?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/why-try-to-pursue-what-is-completed/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [So try to pursue the very things that you are passionate about- that is the difference between good and great!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-doyle/so-try-to-pursue-the-very-things-that-you-are-passionate-about-that/) [Shawn Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-doyle/) > [If there is something that you are passionate about, you don't have to wait to try and pursue that dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiya-sircar/if-there-is-something-that-you-are-passionate-about-you-don-t-have-to/) [Tiya Sircar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiya-sircar/) > [When I got out of the military, I finished up my education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and I had some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-hart/when-i-got-out-of-the-military-i-finished-up-my-education-at-the/) [Carl Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-hart/) > [I felt a lot of ambivalence about going back to graduate school for a second MFA. The impulse was really the opposite from what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-greenwell/i-felt-a-lot-of-ambivalence-about-going-back-to-graduate-school-for-a/) [Garth Greenwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-greenwell/) > [I'm 18, I'm going to graduate high school in a few months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camilla-belle/i-m-18-i-m-going-to-graduate-high-school-in-a-few-months/) [Camilla Belle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camilla-belle/) > [The impetus behind going to graduate school was a year after graduating from college spent in Dallas working at the dog food factory and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-henley/the-impetus-behind-going-to-graduate-school-was-a-year-after/) [Beth Henley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-henley/) > [Obviously, I'm going to graduate college. So if sports don't work out, I'll have something to fall back on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquise-goodwin/obviously-i-m-going-to-graduate-college-so-if-sports-don-t-work-out-i/) [Marquise Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquise-goodwin/) > [I have school planned out in my mind, and I know it's going to work. My dad wants us to wake up every morning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/i-have-school-planned-out-in-my-mind-and-i-know-it-s-going-to-work-my/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [To be totally candid, it was really born out of a panic attack the summer between my sophomore and junior years, when I realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-helms/to-be-totally-candid-it-was-really-born-out-of-a-panic-attack-the/) [Ed Helms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-helms/) > [I'm visiting my high school. Every half year I do the exams, and then this year I'm going to graduate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniela-hantuchova/i-m-visiting-my-high-school-every-half-year-i-do-the-exams-and-then/) [Daniela Hantuchova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniela-hantuchova/) > [I went to NYU thinking, 'I'm going to graduate, and then I'm going to book something on Broadway and live in New York for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-barrera/i-went-to-nyu-thinking-i-m-going-to-graduate-and-then-i-m-going-to/) [Melissa Barrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-barrera/) > [I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-theismann/i-m-going-to-graduate-on-time-no-matter-how-long-it-takes/) [Joe Theismann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-theismann/) > [But I decided I wanted more education and I had to make a choice between starting law school, which was interesting to me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-j-evans/but-i-decided-i-wanted-more-education-and-i-had-to-make-a-choice/) [Daniel J. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-j-evans/) ## More by Kelela > [Even on my most angry song, I'm also still saying, 'Thank you for helping me to learn.' I've always wanted to give voice to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/even-on-my-most-angry-song-i-m-also-still-saying-thank-you-for/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [It's such a challenging time, and in my small way, I will make it so that other younger women, and maybe older women, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/it-s-such-a-challenging-time-and-in-my-small-way-i-will-make-it-so/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [I'm definitely seeking to challenge tropes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/i-m-definitely-seeking-to-challenge-tropes/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [Self-care is a requirement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/self-care-is-a-requirement/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [For those of us who make music together, I think it's important to realize that generosity on both sides is actually going to produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/for-those-of-us-who-make-music-together-i-think-it-s-important-to/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [A lot of white men in the music industry are promoting and participating in black culture in a way that is pretty careless. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/a-lot-of-white-men-in-the-music-industry-are-promoting-and/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [There are no black women geniuses that are being named in canons. I could name a bunch, but it's not part of common knowledge.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/there-are-no-black-women-geniuses-that-are-being-named-in-canons-i/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [I think my worst enemy was myself. It's like I've been in my own way more than anybody else has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/i-think-my-worst-enemy-was-myself-it-s-like-i-ve-been-in-my-own-way/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [I've always had this commitment to not being in one thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/i-ve-always-had-this-commitment-to-not-being-in-one-thing/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [I am your homegirl, at the end of the day, but I also feel very... outside. So if you're finding solace in feeling outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/i-am-your-homegirl-at-the-end-of-the-day-but-i-also-feel-very-outside/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > ['Take Me Apart' doesn't feel cohesive in a singular way but in a varied way. You can fixate on individual songs, and there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/take-me-apart-doesn-t-feel-cohesive-in-a-singular-way-but-in-a-varied/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > ['Seat at the Table' has expressed real adversity, struggle, and also triumph and joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/seat-at-the-table-has-expressed-real-adversity-struggle-and-also/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [Before I collaborate, it's important that I have a conversation about what I care about before we make anything, so that it's very clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/before-i-collaborate-it-s-important-that-i-have-a-conversation-about/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [I'm quite scrutinous when it comes to who I put myself in the room with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/i-m-quite-scrutinous-when-it-comes-to-who-i-put-myself-in-the-room/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) > [Sometimes I learn by someone giving me warnings and giving me advice about what to do next. And other times, a lot of times,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/sometimes-i-learn-by-someone-giving-me-warnings-and-giving-me-advice/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) [Explore all 100 Kelela quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) ## More Clear quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/) [Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/the-moment-it-begins-to-question-itself-the-mind-becomes-so-clear/) [Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/) > [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 7,410 Clear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "After it became clear that I was not going to graduate, I had this moment where I was like, 'I need to not sulk. I need to pursue - at least try - to pursue music. 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