Alive Quote by May Sarton
“I live alone, perhaps for no good reason, for the reason that I am an impossible creature, set apart by a temperament I have never learned to use as it could be used, thrown off by a word, a glance, a rainy day, or one drink too many. My need to be alone is balanced against my fear of what will happen when suddenly I enter the huge empty silence if I cannot find support there. I go up to Heaven and down to Hell in an hour, and keep alive only by imposing upon myself inexorable routines. I write too many letters and too few poems.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Journal of a Solitary Writer, May Sarton, 1979
The speaker feels isolated due to an unmanageable temperament, balancing solitude with fear of overwhelming emptiness, relying on strict routines to survive.
In simple terms: I am lonely because I cannot control my temperament, so I use routines to cope.
Key Takeaway
Embrace routines but seek healthy connection.
Themes
isolation
self‑awareness
routine
fear
creativity
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
personal
literary
When to use this quote
- writing
- personal reflection
- mental health coping
- creative practice
Key Concepts
temperament
self‑regulation
existential angst
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you channel your temperament into productive creativity?
- What small connections could ease your fear of emptiness?
A Different Perspective
Routines may become restrictive and prevent growth.
