--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I close my eyes and suddenly remember…" description: "\"“I close my eyes and suddenly remember something Nina had told me the night before my first day of middle school: If you're going somewhere where you f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/lynn-weingarten-32645_middle-school_i-close-my-eyes-and-suddenly-remember-so_868132.jpg" --- # I close my eyes and suddenly remember something Nina had… ![“I close my eyes and suddenly remember something Nina had told me the night before my first day of middle school: If you're going somewhere where you feel like you might not belong, the only person you need to work to convince is yourself. Everyone else is easy.” quote by Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/lynn-weingarten-32645_middle-school_i-close-my-eyes-and-suddenly-remember-so_868132.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/lynn-weingarten-32645_middle-school_i-close-my-eyes-and-suddenly-remember-so_868132.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/680/lynn-weingarten-32645_middle-school_i-close-my-eyes-and-suddenly-remember-so_868132.jpg) > ““I close my eyes and suddenly remember something Nina had told me the night before my first day of middle school: If you're going somewhere where you feel like you might not belong, the only person you need to work to convince is yourself. Everyone else is easy.”” [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑convincing is key when entering unfamiliar spaces; external approval is secondary. **In simple terms:** Believe in yourself when you feel out of place. Key Takeaway Trust your own confidence. Themes self‑belief belonging confidence growth Mood determined hopeful reflective Type inspirational advice When to use this quote - starting a new school - first job - relocating - joining a new community Key Concepts psychology of belonging self‑efficacy social integration Questions to Reflect On - What internal cues help you stay confident? - How can you balance self‑trust with feedback? A Different Perspective External validation can still impact self‑esteem; ignore it entirely. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-day/) [First Day Of Middle School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-day-of-middle-school-218388/) [Middle school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-school/) [Nina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nina/) [Nina Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nina-told-923827/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Remember Nina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-nina-923828/) [Suddenly Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suddenly-remember-923829/) ## Related quotes > [“Nina had been told regularly since she was a child that she needed more fresh air, at which she would take her book and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-colgan/nina-had-been-told-regularly-since-she-was-a-child-that-she-needed/) [Jenny Colgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-colgan/) > [On the first day of middle school I wore high-heeled shoes that you weren't allowed to wear. I remember being so embarrassed because in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-stone/on-the-first-day-of-middle-school-i-wore-high-heeled-shoes-that-you/) [Emma Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-stone/) > [“I look around to find Darren since I assumed he was walking along with us. He’s not. 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Just the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/and-then-into-the-fantasy-as-into-a-dream-would-come-the-thought-it-s/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [I suddenly remember something I've been told about fear. That amid a hail of machine gun fire you notice the existence of your skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-duras/i-suddenly-remember-something-i-ve-been-told-about-fear-that-amid-a/) [Marguerite Duras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-duras/) > [“On days like this," Cass said, suddenly, "I remember what it was like--I think I remember--to be young, very young." She looked up at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/on-days-like-this-cass-said-suddenly-i-remember-what-it-was-like-i/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [Lately, I was too focused on being lonely and miserable. But now, I suddenly remember how awesome it is being single and independent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lately-i-was-too-focused-on-being-lonely-and-miserable-but-now-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One gets started, and then, suddenly, one cannot remember what toothpaste they use . . . the moment comes when a character does or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/one-gets-started-and-then-suddenly-one-cannot-remember-what/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [Isn't it wonderful to be alive? You know, you can forget all about it. Then suddenly you remember, and think of all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-loren/isn-t-it-wonderful-to-be-alive-you-know-you-can-forget-all-about-it/) [Sophia Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-loren/) > [It's amazing how one day someone walks into your life and suddenly you can't remember how you lived life without them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/it-s-amazing-how-one-day-someone-walks-into-your-life-and-suddenly/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [They both seemed to understand that describing it was beyond their powers, the gratitude that spreads through your body when a burden gets lifted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/they-both-seemed-to-understand-that-describing-it-was-beyond-their/) [Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/) > [“Things can always get worse, but only quitters quit!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ultra-maniac-nina-sakura/things-can-always-get-worse-but-only-quitters-quit/) [Ultra Maniac Nina Sakura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ultra-maniac-nina-sakura/) > [“Really? I'm trying to place you. It seems like we've met before." Did I just issue him a pick up line? Fantastic, I've now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/really-i-m-trying-to-place-you-it-seems-like-we-ve-met-before-did-i/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) ## More by Lynn Weingarten > [“Às vezes, as pessoas que mais precisam ser salvas não têm a menor ideia disso.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/s-vezes-as-pessoas-que-mais-precisam-ser-salvas-n-o-t-m-a-menor-ideia/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“I had wanted to tell him that loving someone should never be a problem, should never feel like one, but by then I already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/i-had-wanted-to-tell-him-that-loving-someone-should-never-be-a/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“Iced coffee is my crack.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/iced-coffee-is-my-crack/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“‎"The less random stuff you hear about, the more room in your ears for music, that's what I always say" -Paisley”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/the-less-random-stuff-you-hear-about-the-more-room-in-your-ears-for/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“Do broken hearts make you brave or do they just make you stupid?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/do-broken-hearts-make-you-brave-or-do-they-just-make-you-stupid/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“We like to say that love is what unites us; however it's fear that we all share.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/we-like-to-say-that-love-is-what-unites-us-however-it-s-fear-that-we/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“He delivered his hand to my ass, so I delivered my knee to his balls." -- Nina Wrigley”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/he-delivered-his-hand-to-my-ass-so-i-delivered-my-knee-to-his-balls/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“Life messes us up in so many ways, messes all of us right the hell up. And when we fumble and bumble around, crashing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/life-messes-us-up-in-so-many-ways-messes-all-of-us-right-the-hell-up/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“Finally! You're here!" Uh…Do I know you?" Well, no…But you're here, all the same...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/finally-you-re-here-uh-do-i-know-you-well-no-but-you-re-here-all-the/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“I cranked the radio and sang loud. I needed to hear a live human voice, and I was my own best hope.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/i-cranked-the-radio-and-sang-loud-i-needed-to-hear-a-live-human-voice/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“Sometimes, when there’s danger, the answer is to curl into yourself and wait.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/sometimes-when-there-s-danger-the-answer-is-to-curl-into-yourself-and/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“It's natural. Nature is dark and light, birth and death. Everything and its opposite. And in nature there are predators and prey. The hunters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/it-s-natural-nature-is-dark-and-light-birth-and-death-everything-and/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“The most important thing is believing your beautiful. The benefit of improving one's looks lies largely therein.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/the-most-important-thing-is-believing-your-beautiful-the-benefit-of/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) > [“The more secrets you have from someone, the harder it is to look them in the eye. Now I could barely look at him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-weingarten/the-more-secrets-you-have-from-someone-the-harder-it-is-to-look-them/) [Lynn Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) [Explore all 15 Lynn Weingarten quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-weingarten/) ## More Middle school quotes > [I remember throughout middle school and high school how excited my mom, sister and I would be when a UNC game was on TV.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-barnes/i-remember-throughout-middle-school-and-high-school-how-excited-my/) [Harrison Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-barnes/) > [I learned Spanish as my second language from middle school through high school. I grew up volunteering at homeless shelters and tutoring kids of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-learned-spanish-as-my-second-language-from-middle-school-through/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [The definition of a dedicated individual..i got a tablet fulla verses dude I been writin since middle school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marley-garcia/the-definition-of-a-dedicated-individual-i-got-a-tablet-fulla-verses/) [Marley Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marley-garcia/) > [New Kids On The Block were never my thing; my middle school crush was on Rob Van Winkle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlan-gorse-cousteau/new-kids-on-the-block-were-never-my-thing-my-middle-school-crush-was/) [Ashlan Gorse Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlan-gorse-cousteau/) > [“Be the Inviter “When I began my speaking career, I designed and delivered motivational programs for children teaching them success skills for life. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/be-the-inviter-when-i-began-my-speaking-career-i-designed-and/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“I hate middle school already.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-j-proctor/i-hate-middle-school-already/) [Emily J. Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-j-proctor/) > [To change the media, you're gonna have to totally throw out every journalism school and get rid of everybody in every newsroom, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/to-change-the-media-you-re-gonna-have-to-totally-throw-out-every/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > ['Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte has been my all-time favorite book since I was in middle school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-serle/wuthering-heights-by-emily-bronte-has-been-my-all-time-favorite-book/) [Rebecca Serle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-serle/) > [When I was in middle school and high school, I was over 100 pounds overweight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/when-i-was-in-middle-school-and-high-school-i-was-over-100-pounds/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [“He didn’t have any friends at home. He was overweight and the kids at his middle school often teased him about his size. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-sachar/he-didn-t-have-any-friends-at-home-he-was-overweight-and-the-kids-at/) [Louis Sachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-sachar/) > [I remember kids in high school and middle school who - I was kind of an insecure mess - I think there were those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hale/i-remember-kids-in-high-school-and-middle-school-who-i-was-kind-of-an/) [Tony Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hale/) > [Dear Middle School Girl Who Thinks She's a Victoria's Secret Model, Mind if I Borrow a Tissue? Sincerely, It's Fallin Out Of Your Bra..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dear-middle-school-girl-who-thinks-she-s-a-victoria-s-secret-model/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I started going to middle school, all my friends were from my hood and were like, 'Listen to Nas and 50 Cent.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nav/when-i-started-going-to-middle-school-all-my-friends-were-from-my/) [Nav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nav/) > [I'm so very happy to be here, ... My lifelong dream is to win, and I was accustomed to winning before I got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takeo-spikes/i-m-so-very-happy-to-be-here-my-lifelong-dream-is-to-win-and-i-was/) [Takeo Spikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takeo-spikes/) > [In middle school, I started to draw, and my pencil sketches were huge. They were these 4ft by 3ft drawings, and I got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-kinney/in-middle-school-i-started-to-draw-and-my-pencil-sketches-were-huge/) [Jeff Kinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-kinney/) [Browse all 494 Middle school quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-school/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I close my eyes and suddenly remember something Nina had told me the night before my first day of middle school: If you're going somewhere where you feel like you might not belong, the only person you need to work to convince is yourself. 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