--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was really shy growing up. I had…" description: "\"I was really shy growing up. I had braces, headgear, and no boobs - still don't. So, the boys weren't interested in me. The only way I could get attent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/malin-akerman-8146_attention_i-was-really-shy-growing-up-i-had-braces_3115248.jpg" --- # I was really shy growing up. I had braces, headgear, and… ![“I was really shy growing up. I had braces, headgear, and no boobs - still don't. So, the boys weren't interested in me. The only way I could get attention was by being a goof and a dork, which meant a lot of physical comedy.” quote by Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/malin-akerman-8146_attention_i-was-really-shy-growing-up-i-had-braces_3115248.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/malin-akerman-8146_attention_i-was-really-shy-growing-up-i-had-braces_3115248.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/012/malin-akerman-8146_attention_i-was-really-shy-growing-up-i-had-braces_3115248.jpg) > “I was really shy growing up. I had braces, headgear, and no boobs - still don't. So, the boys weren't interested in me. The only way I could get attention was by being a goof and a dork, which meant a lot of physical comedy.” [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal insecurities can be turned into a unique style that attracts attention and builds confidence. **In simple terms:** Turn flaws into strengths. Key Takeaway Embrace humor to connect. Themes self‑esteem humor identity growth Mood reflective lighthearted Type personal motivational When to use this quote - school life - social media - performing arts Key Concepts social anxiety body image comedy Questions to Reflect On - What authentic traits can you showcase? - How does humor affect self‑image? A Different Perspective Humor can mask deeper issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Boobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boobs/) [Boys Weren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys-weren-3835748/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Headgear Boobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/headgear-boobs-5451190/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Really Shy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-shy/) [Shy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shy/) [Shy Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shy-growing-653954/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I grew up in New York, in the Village, and I started going to Stella Adler pretty young. I was 13 or 14 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-strait/i-grew-up-in-new-york-in-the-village-and-i-started-going-to-stella/) [Steven Strait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-strait/) > [I was terribly shy when I was growing up, I really wasn't confident with other people and I think I was always afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-mortimer/i-was-terribly-shy-when-i-was-growing-up-i-really-wasn-t-confident/) [Emily Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-mortimer/) > [Im pretty shy when I go home because I was pretty shy growing up, and I think I go back to that person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-condon/im-pretty-shy-when-i-go-home-because-i-was-pretty-shy-growing-up-and/) [Kerry Condon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-condon/) > [I was always shy when I was growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-le/i-was-always-shy-when-i-was-growing-up/) [Michel'le](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-le/) > [I did take some cooking classes in high school. Boys weren't really supposed to take them. I had to risk being made fun of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/i-did-take-some-cooking-classes-in-high-school-boys-weren-t-really/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) > [“I hadn't felt such disgust for a boy since the early days, when they'd tease girls on the playground, kicking us and throwing gravel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/i-hadn-t-felt-such-disgust-for-a-boy-since-the-early-days-when-they-d/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [I slowly make my way down the hall and slide into his room. Its eerily dark in there besides the sun that slips through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/i-slowly-make-my-way-down-the-hall-and-slide-into-his-room-its-eerily/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [Growing up, I never felt like I was very pretty, because I didn't look like anyone else, and the boys weren't lining up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/growing-up-i-never-felt-like-i-was-very-pretty-because-i-didn-t-look/) [Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/) > [“Negroes were drafted, white men weren’t; the poor were hauled off to war, the rich weren’t; the stupid were shot at, the bright boys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/negroes-were-drafted-white-men-weren-t-the-poor-were-hauled-off-to/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [I'm really shy with my acting when it's off, because the camera gives me an excuse to be in character, whereas otherwise I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-fehr/i-m-really-shy-with-my-acting-when-it-s-off-because-the-camera-gives/) [Brendan Fehr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-fehr/) > [I was really shy when I was a child, very self-conscious about taking up space or being an attention seeker. I was the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-sumner/i-was-really-shy-when-i-was-a-child-very-self-conscious-about-taking/) [Mickey Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-sumner/) > [I'm a private person, I'm shy about people knowing things. And I'm really shy about my medical (care). It would be good if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-fawcett/i-m-a-private-person-i-m-shy-about-people-knowing-things-and-i-m/) [Farrah Fawcett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-fawcett/) > [Women are sort of like motorcycle gangs with me. They get really shy and polite. I don't know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/women-are-sort-of-like-motorcycle-gangs-with-me-they-get-really-shy/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [I'm really shy - I don't do karaoke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-micucci/i-m-really-shy-i-don-t-do-karaoke/) [Kate Micucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-micucci/) > [I was painfully shy, so my aunt suggested to my mum that me and my brother go to Stage 84, a performing arts school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cooke/i-was-painfully-shy-so-my-aunt-suggested-to-my-mum-that-me-and-my/) [Christian Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cooke/) ## More by Malin Akerman > [Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are really amazing, lovely people and really great comedic actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/jennifer-aniston-and-paul-rudd-are-really-amazing-lovely-people-and/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [My hair is naturally blond and thin, so I like to give it some texture. Sexy, dirty bedhead is good for blonds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/my-hair-is-naturally-blond-and-thin-so-i-like-to-give-it-some-texture/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I think we can leave mullets back in the '80's. Don't you? I'm really not a big fan of them. I did like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-think-we-can-leave-mullets-back-in-the-80-s-don-t-you-i-m-really/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [The funny thing is that my husband couldn't be sweeter. He looks like this bad boy. He's got tattoos and earrings and a mohawk,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/the-funny-thing-is-that-my-husband-couldn-t-be-sweeter-he-looks-like/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I'm the type of person who doesn't want to sit alone in a restaurant or bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-m-the-type-of-person-who-doesn-t-want-to-sit-alone-in-a-restaurant/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I think we can leave mullets back in the '80s. I'm really not a big fan of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-think-we-can-leave-mullets-back-in-the-80s-i-m-really-not-a-big-fan/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [How can you not love a man banging on the drums? He knows how to keep a rhythm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/how-can-you-not-love-a-man-banging-on-the-drums-he-knows-how-to-keep/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I'm such a bad shopper for myself. I love fashion and all that kind of stuff, but that's sort of the last thing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-m-such-a-bad-shopper-for-myself-i-love-fashion-and-all-that-kind-of/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I think it's critical in any character you play that it really is about reacting instead of acting. You can always tell when a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-think-it-s-critical-in-any-character-you-play-that-it-really-is/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I don't have a problem with being a woman. Women's bodies are so beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-don-t-have-a-problem-with-being-a-woman-women-s-bodies-are-so/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I came out here to do the acting, and then after a year of auditions and not getting anything, I met these Italian guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-came-out-here-to-do-the-acting-and-then-after-a-year-of-auditions/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I'd love to do all types of film, not just comedy, although I love comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-d-love-to-do-all-types-of-film-not-just-comedy-although-i-love/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I meet so many pretty girls who are like, 'Here I am! Don't you want me because I look good?' That concept is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-meet-so-many-pretty-girls-who-are-like-here-i-am-don-t-you-want-me/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I don't mind being goofy and silly. I love to make people laugh and I'm not self-conscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-don-t-mind-being-goofy-and-silly-i-love-to-make-people-laugh-and-i/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) > [I love when you get to work with people you know because there's so much more trust, and you're much more willing to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malin-akerman/i-love-when-you-get-to-work-with-people-you-know-because-there-s-so/) [Malin Akerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) [Explore all 83 Malin Akerman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malin-akerman/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was really shy growing up. 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