Habits Quote by Margaret Atwood
““You’ll have to forgive me. I’m a refugee from the past, and like other refugees I go over the customs and habits of being I’ve left or been forced to leave behind me, and it all seems just as quaint, from here, and I am just as obsessive about it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
The speaker sees herself as a refugee of her own history, clinging to old habits while recognizing their oddity from a new perspective.
In simple terms: She feels like a refugee from her past, holding onto old ways.
Key Takeaway
Accept past habits but stay present.
Themes
identity
memory
displacement
nostalgia
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
personal
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- counseling
- creative writing
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
refugee metaphor
self‑reflection
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What past habits still shape you?
- How can you honor history without being trapped?
A Different Perspective
Habitual clinginess can hinder adaptation to new realities.
