--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had a lot of self-loathing, .. I've…" description: "\"I had a lot of self-loathing, .. I've been self-sustained since I was 11. I've always been the one making the money, and to be flat on my back and .. s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c40/melissa-etheridge-2952_baggage_i-had-a-lot-of-self-loathing-i-ve-been-s_2077839.jpg" --- # I had a lot of self-loathing, .. I've been self-sustained… ![“I had a lot of self-loathing, .. I've been self-sustained since I was 11. I've always been the one making the money, and to be flat on my back and .. so vulnerable and then be completely loved. To have my wife be there, 110% supportive. To have my children say, 'It's OK, Mom.' To have the people…” quote by Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c40/melissa-etheridge-2952_baggage_i-had-a-lot-of-self-loathing-i-ve-been-s_2077839.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c40/melissa-etheridge-2952_baggage_i-had-a-lot-of-self-loathing-i-ve-been-s_2077839.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c40/melissa-etheridge-2952_baggage_i-had-a-lot-of-self-loathing-i-ve-been-s_2077839.jpg) > “I had a lot of self-loathing, .. I've been self-sustained since I was 11. I've always been the one making the money, and to be flat on my back and .. so vulnerable and then be completely loved. To have my wife be there, 110% supportive. To have my children say, 'It's OK, Mom.' To have the people that I work for say, 'It's OK.' To have my fans go, 'It's all right.' It's like, what was I afraid of? I'm going to get healthy now, and I'm not going to carry that baggage anymore.” [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on overcoming self‑hatred, gaining independence, and seeking love and support while letting go of past burdens. **In simple terms:** She moves past self‑hate, wants health, and embraces support. Key Takeaway Release past baggage and pursue health. Themes self‑acceptance independence support healing vulnerability Mood hopeful determined reflective Type personal motivational When to use this quote - family life - career - mental health - self‑care - public image Key Concepts psychology personal growth relationships Questions to Reflect On - What old fears still hold you back? - How can you sustain new healthy habits? A Different Perspective Healing can be hindered by lingering self‑doubt and external expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baggage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baggage/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Fans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fans/) [Flats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flats/) [Healthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthy/) [Loathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loathing/) [Melissa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melissa/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [My children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-children/) [My wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-wife/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self loathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-loathing/) [Self Sustained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sustained-1253976/) [Supportive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supportive/) [Vulnerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerable/) [Vulnerable Completely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerable-completely-3545413/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) ## Related quotes > [God doesn't expect us to perform for him. He loves us always-when we're disappointed or hurt or making a mess of things. Sometimes we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luci-swindoll/god-doesn-t-expect-us-to-perform-for-him-he-loves-us-always-when-we/) [Luci Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luci-swindoll/) > [When anything assumes the strength of a creed, it becomes self-sustained and derives the needed support from within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/when-anything-assumes-the-strength-of-a-creed-it-becomes-self/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/truth-stands-even-if-there-be-no-public-support-it-is-self-sustained/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want for us to be self-sustained so we can export. The government has a responsibility to have agricultural programs so people are able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-weah/i-want-for-us-to-be-self-sustained-so-we-can-export-the-government/) [George Weah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-weah/) > [I can be a rock star with a television show and still have a self-esteem problem. So it's nice to have your dad go,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/i-can-be-a-rock-star-with-a-television-show-and-still-have-a-self/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Self-loathing is the silent hemorrhaging of the soul. You don't feel or see the life force fleeing until it's not longer there, and then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/self-loathing-is-the-silent-hemorrhaging-of-the-soul-you-don-t-feel/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [“LARRY--(with increasing bitter intensity, more as if he were fighting with himself than with Hickey) I'm afraid to live, am I?--and even more afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/larry-with-increasing-bitter-intensity-more-as-if-he-were-fighting/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [I managed to reach a depth of self-loathing that usually takes a night of drinking to achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-managed-to-reach-a-depth-of-self-loathing-that-usually-takes-a/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [When money and fame happen too late, it's like pouring kerosene over a fire of self-loathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradford-cox/when-money-and-fame-happen-too-late-it-s-like-pouring-kerosene-over-a/) [Bradford Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradford-cox/) > [It was a very excellent day over there at HBO/Cinemax when they bought 'Powers' . I felt like I graduated television college, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/it-was-a-very-excellent-day-over-there-at-hbo-cinemax-when-they/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [When you work at home, fellow alums, discipline is the supreme virtue. Suicidal self-loathing lurks behind every coffee break. Activities must be expertly scheduled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/when-you-work-at-home-fellow-alums-discipline-is-the-supreme-virtue/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [I don't trust anyone who hasn't been self-destructiv e in some way, and who hasn't gone through some sort of bout of self-loathing. You've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-don-t-trust-anyone-who-hasn-t-been-self-destructiv-e-in-some-way/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Listen, young people, I understand narcissism - clearly. But at least I have the decency to hate myself. And that's what's missing from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/listen-young-people-i-understand-narcissism-clearly-but-at-least-i/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [“Don't worry, nothing speaks louder than a lifetime of regret and self-loathing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/don-t-worry-nothing-speaks-louder-than-a-lifetime-of-regret-and-self/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) ## More by Melissa Etheridge > [Once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn't afraid of anything anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/once-i-overcame-breast-cancer-i-wasn-t-afraid-of-anything-anymore/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [My friends have always told me that rock stardom was wasted on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/my-friends-have-always-told-me-that-rock-stardom-was-wasted-on-me/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [The sign says do not enter, no trespassing allowed. With visions of redemption I walk against the crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/the-sign-says-do-not-enter-no-trespassing-allowed-with-visions-of/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Our society, where we are right now, our minds are junkyards. We watch TV and sit on the computer all day and barely have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/our-society-where-we-are-right-now-our-minds-are-junkyards-we-watch/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [I wanted to be out so I could relax and be me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/i-wanted-to-be-out-so-i-could-relax-and-be-me/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Your own personal health is your own personal choice, all the way down the line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/your-own-personal-health-is-your-own-personal-choice-all-the-way-down/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Don't let people who live in fear and hate govern how you live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/don-t-let-people-who-live-in-fear-and-hate-govern-how-you-live/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [I know your friend you told her about me. She filled you with fear some kind of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/i-know-your-friend-you-told-her-about-me-she-filled-you-with-fear/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Empty and cold, but it keep me alive. I gave it my soul, so that I could survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/empty-and-cold-but-it-keep-me-alive-i-gave-it-my-soul-so-that-i-could/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [I am what I am and I am what I am afraid of. Oh what am I afraid of I need a fearless love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/i-am-what-i-am-and-i-am-what-i-am-afraid-of-oh-what-am-i-afraid-of-i/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [I don't have a bucket list because it is my dedication to live every day of my life there. I don't have a bucket…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/i-don-t-have-a-bucket-list-because-it-is-my-dedication-to-live-every/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [“Bruce has always been so nice to me, which is crazy, because he's one of my heroes. I'll never forget being at a Rock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/bruce-has-always-been-so-nice-to-me-which-is-crazy-because-he-s-one/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Pursuing all my happiness I want a fearless love I won't settle for anything less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/pursuing-all-my-happiness-i-want-a-fearless-love-i-won-t-settle-for/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Nothing fills the blackness that has seeped into my chest. I need you in my blood I am forsaking all the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/nothing-fills-the-blackness-that-has-seeped-into-my-chest-i-need-you/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) > [Can I survive all the implications? Even if I tried could you be less than an addiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-etheridge/can-i-survive-all-the-implications-even-if-i-tried-could-you-be-less/) [Melissa Etheridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) [Explore all 144 Melissa Etheridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-etheridge/) ## More Baggage quotes > [“logotherapy,” which, in a nutshell, is about searching for the meaning packed in one’s baggage, something”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/logotherapy-which-in-a-nutshell-is-about-searching-for-the-meaning/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [“Forgiveness is the process of dropping off your emotional baggage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/forgiveness-is-the-process-of-dropping-off-your-emotional-baggage/) [Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/) > [All the baggage that comes with fame, being an actress. The down side to it is the intrusion into your life and this expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/all-the-baggage-that-comes-with-fame-being-an-actress-the-down-side/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [“they accepted any baggage that came with you and made you believe you were more than you actually were”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/they-accepted-any-baggage-that-came-with-you-and-made-you-believe-you/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Out, you tallow-face! You baggage!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/out-you-tallow-face-you-baggage/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“The thing about moving," he said, "is it's a good way to shake loose whatever old baggage you have, or the old things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-schuster/the-thing-about-moving-he-said-is-it-s-a-good-way-to-shake-loose/) [Tara Schuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-schuster/) > [A lot of people approach their barn or horse like they are going to war, because it's been going badly. So you pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-meehl/a-lot-of-people-approach-their-barn-or-horse-like-they-are-going-to/) [Cindy Meehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-meehl/) > [I had a great dislike to the annoyances entailed by baggage; and it was always with some feeling of elation that I cut myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/i-had-a-great-dislike-to-the-annoyances-entailed-by-baggage-and-it/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [My beginnings in the Southwest are clear and palpable. My beginnings here made me pay attention to where the sun is, where the winds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-predock/my-beginnings-in-the-southwest-are-clear-and-palpable-my-beginnings/) [Antoine Predock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-predock/) > [Carry your baggage towards silence , when you seek the signs of the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/carry-your-baggage-towards-silence-when-you-seek-the-signs-of-the-way/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [I just try to leave my baggage at the door. I don't want to carry my stuff into a working environment with me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-dane/i-just-try-to-leave-my-baggage-at-the-door-i-don-t-want-to-carry-my/) [Eric Dane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-dane/) > [When you're coming off a flight, skip the restroom by the gates and head to the one in baggage claim, which is always cleaner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hallie-jackson/when-you-re-coming-off-a-flight-skip-the-restroom-by-the-gates-and/) [Hallie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hallie-jackson/) > [“This actually isn't a boohoo entry about my baggage. It is meant to be a 'learn from the mistakes of others'. Hopefully my 'duh'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-m-alexander/this-actually-isn-t-a-boohoo-entry-about-my-baggage-it-is-meant-to-be/) [Jordan M. Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-m-alexander/) > [It's very inconvenient being a sculptor. It's like playing the double-bass; one's so handicapped by one's baggage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/it-s-very-inconvenient-being-a-sculptor-it-s-like-playing-the-double/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [“We lose the fear of letting go of our baggage, but also the certainty that what is in them belongs to us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andr-s-neuman/we-lose-the-fear-of-letting-go-of-our-baggage-but-also-the-certainty/) [Andrés Neuman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andr-s-neuman/) [Browse all 359 Baggage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baggage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had a lot of self-loathing, .. I've been self-sustained since I was 11. I've always been the one making the money, and to be flat on my back and .. so vulnerable and then be completely loved. To have my wife be there, 110% supportive. To have my children say, 'It's OK, Mom.' To have the people that I work for say, 'It's OK.' To have my fans go, 'It's all right.' It's like, what was I afraid of? 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