Ashtrays Quote by May Sarton
“There were moments ... when it seemed that all one could be asked was just to keep the ashtrays clean, the bed made, the wastebaskets emptied, as if one never got to the real things because of the constant exhausting battle to keep ordinary life from falling apart.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: Everyday Struggles, 1975
Daily chores become overwhelming when constant effort to maintain order overshadows deeper, meaningful experiences.
In simple terms: Routine tasks can mask deeper life issues.
Key Takeaway
Balance practical duties with personal fulfillment.
Themes
routine
exhaustion
meaning
balance
life
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- home care
- work life
- mental health
- family responsibilities
Key Concepts
Existentialism
psychology of stress
time management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you prioritize meaning over maintenance?
- What small changes can reduce daily overwhelm?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on chores may neglect necessary self‑care.
![“Writing a play is like smashing that [glass] ashtray, filming it in slow motion, and then running the film in reverse, so that the fragments of rubble appear to fly together. You start - or at least I start - with the rubble.” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/271/tom-stoppard-437_ashtrays_writing-a-play-is-like-smashing-that-gla_733373.jpg)
