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Eighteen Quote by Laura Wiess

“Now, I learned a long time ago how to be quiet on the outside while I'm freaking on the inside. How to turn away like I don't see all the things that need to be seen, just to keep peace. How to lie low and act like I want nothing, expect nothing, and hope for nothing so I don't become more trouble…” quote by Laura Wiess
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““Now, I learned a long time ago how to be quiet on the outside while I'm freaking on the inside. How to turn away like I don't see all the things that need to be seen, just to keep peace. How to lie low and act like I want nothing, expect nothing, and hope for nothing so I don't become more trouble than I'm worth. I'm five months short of eighteen and I know how to be cursed and ignored and left behind, how to swallow a thousand tears and ignore a thousand delibarate cruelties, but it's two in the morning on New Year's Eve and I'm mad and scared and bone tired and really, really sick of acting like I'm grateful to be staying on a hairy, sagging, dog-stained couch in a junky, mildewed trailer with a fat, dangerous, volatile drunk who sweats stale beer and wallows in his own wastewater, and who doesn't think there's one thing wrong with taking his crap life out on his dog, who comes bellying back for forgiveness every single time, no matter how rotten the treatment-””

Laura Wiess

About This Quote

Source Novel: “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea” (fictional excerpt), 2022

The narrator masks inner turmoil with a calm exterior, sacrificing authenticity for safety.

In simple terms: Hiding pain behind calmness.

Key Takeaway

Allow yourself honest expression.

Themes

identity self-care emotional labor survival abuse

Mood

somber introspective

Type

narrative confessional

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • family dynamics
  • mental health
  • self‑preservation

Key Concepts

authenticity psychological coping trauma response

Questions to Reflect On

  • When have you pretended to be okay?
  • What risks come from suppressing true feelings?
A Different Perspective

Masking emotions can deepen isolation and harm.

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