--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes when you think you are done, it…" description: "\"Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. Probably that's why we decide we're done. It's getting too scary. We are touch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/natalie-goldberg-1741_beginning_sometimes-when-you-think-you-are-done-it_1878302.jpg" --- # Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge… ![“Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. Probably that's why we decide we're done. It's getting too scary. We are touching down onto something real. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.” quote by Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/natalie-goldberg-1741_beginning_sometimes-when-you-think-you-are-done-it_1878302.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/natalie-goldberg-1741_beginning_sometimes-when-you-think-you-are-done-it_1878302.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/natalie-goldberg-1741_beginning_sometimes-when-you-think-you-are-done-it_1878302.jpg) > “Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. Probably that's why we decide we're done. It's getting too scary. We are touching down onto something real. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.” [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When we think we have finished, we are actually at the threshold of a new start, often confronting fear and uncertainty as something real emerges. **In simple terms:** Finishing can be the start of something new and challenging. Key Takeaway Embrace the unknown as a chance to grow. Themes growth fear new beginnings creativity Mood anxious hopeful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - personal projects - creative writing - career transitions - learning new skills Key Concepts transformation threshold courage Questions to Reflect On - What does “done” mean to you? - How can you welcome the edge of beginning? A Different Perspective The sense of being “done” can be an illusion that prevents deeper exploration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Touching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/touching/) ## Related quotes > [Many people do not like the idea that time has a beginning, probably because it smacks of divine intervention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/many-people-do-not-like-the-idea-that-time-has-a-beginning-probably-2/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) > [“You're gonna fall now,' I heard Angel say in a normal voice. I swung my head to see gravely watching an Eraser who looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/you-re-gonna-fall-now-i-heard-angel-say-in-a-normal-voice-i-swung-my/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Maybe one day the old guys will die off and things will change, 'cuz it's officially getting scary over here in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-williams-iii/maybe-one-day-the-old-guys-will-die-off-and-things-will-change-cuz-it/) [Hank Williams III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-williams-iii/) > [I think that if you have a strong narrative, if the idea of the song can be boiled down to the basics, it won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/i-think-that-if-you-have-a-strong-narrative-if-the-idea-of-the-song/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [If you think strong yourself,strong you will be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevi/if-you-think-strong-yourself-strong-you-will-be/) [Kevi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevi/) > [Some people think you are strong when you hold on. Others think it is when you let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-robinson/some-people-think-you-are-strong-when-you-hold-on-others-think-it-is/) [Sylvia Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-robinson/) > [A lot of times people will think, ‘I’m strong, I’m in shape; why can’t I do this pose?’ But that’s not the point. There’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-levine/a-lot-of-times-people-will-think-i-m-strong-i-m-in-shape-why-can-t-i/) [Adam Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-levine/) > [Be Strong,Think Strong, Live Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taysis-marie/be-strong-think-strong-live-strong/) Taysis'Marie > [Some people think to be STRONG is to never feel PAIN. In reality, the STRONGEST people are who feel it, understand it and accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-think-to-be-strong-is-to-never-feel-pain-in-reality-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I think the six of us—we’re all strong. We’re each just a different kind of strong. But we all have a different kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-ritchie/i-think-the-six-of-us-we-re-all-strong-we-re-each-just-a-different/) [Krista Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-ritchie/) > [If you think you are only strong if you can lift a certain number, whatever that number is, you will feel pretty weak most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pavel-tsatsouline/if-you-think-you-are-only-strong-if-you-can-lift-a-certain-number/) [Pavel Tsatsouline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pavel-tsatsouline/) > [People think I'm strong, but actually I wanted to crawl away. I thought, I'm going to live in the country with my horse and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/people-think-i-m-strong-but-actually-i-wanted-to-crawl-away-i-thought/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. in reality the strong people are the ones who feel it, understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-people-think-that-to-be-strong-is-to-never-feel-pain-in-reality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I think everyone is strong and weak in different ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-think-everyone-is-strong-and-weak-in-different-ways/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [There was a time I used to focus on just being skinny, and now I really think about how can I be strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-long/there-was-a-time-i-used-to-focus-on-just-being-skinny-and-now-i/) [Jessica Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-long/) ## More by Natalie Goldberg > [“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/we-heard-about-people-who-go-back-to-their-roots-that-is-good-but-don/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Over and over, we have to go back to the beginning. We should not be ashamed of this. It is good. It's like drinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/over-and-over-we-have-to-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-should-not-be/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-feel-very-rich-when-i-have-time-to-write-and-very-poor-when-i-get-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/actually-when-i-look-at-my-old-notebooks-i-think-i-have-been-a-bit/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/our-bodies-are-garbage-heaps-we-collect-experience-and-from-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/know-that-you-will-eventually-have-to-leave-everything-behind-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To encounter a fine book and have time to read it is a wonderful thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-encounter-a-fine-book-and-have-time-to-read-it-is-a-wonderful-thing/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [In the past few years I've assigned books to be read before a student attends one of my weeklong seminars. I have been astonished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-the-past-few-years-i-ve-assigned-books-to-be-read-before-a-student/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/when-you-draw-and-pay-attention-to-what-is-it-s-a-form-of-being/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Poetry is a dumb Buddha who thinks a donkey is as important as a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/poetry-is-a-dumb-buddha-who-thinks-a-donkey-is-as-important-as-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-told-all-kinds-of-stories-about-going-to-japan-about-playing-ball/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“No matter what a person does to cover up and conceal themselves, when we write and lose control, I can spot a person from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/no-matter-what-a-person-does-to-cover-up-and-conceal-themselves-when/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experience-is-to-stay-close-to-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I read Eve Ensler and thought it was fabulous. Not only that, but it was really the only thing I could relate to about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-read-eve-ensler-and-thought-it-was-fabulous-not-only-that-but-it/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-feel-bored-or-uncomfortable-as-you-re-writing-ask-yourself/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) [Explore all 212 Natalie Goldberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## More Beginning quotes > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [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/) > [Every Finish Line is the beginning of a new race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-finish-line-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-race/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Always keep the smile, because the smile is the beginning of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-imad/always-keep-the-smile-because-the-smile-is-the-beginning-of-love/) Adam Imad > [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [The only vocal training I had was playing with a tape recorder as a kid, and you know, doing the beginning of the 'Lone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/the-only-vocal-training-i-had-was-playing-with-a-tape-recorder-as-a/) [Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/) > [January is the beginning of a new year for us in the Western world. Let us give to God what belongs to him: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/january-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-year-for-us-in-the-western-world/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [In the beginning, if you look at those early label albums of the Chicks, we didn't write all that much. We had an A&R…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/in-the-beginning-if-you-look-at-those-early-label-albums-of-the/) [Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/) > [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [When there is a mission before you, you see it from its beginning to its conclusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-white/when-there-is-a-mission-before-you-you-see-it-from-its-beginning-to/) [Jesse White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-white/) > [When God made the world, all things began with him. Life, death, it all began when he said so. That includes you and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manae-poet-of-carisis/when-god-made-the-world-all-things-began-with-him-life-death-it-all/) Manae Poet Of Carisis > [From the beginning at Intel, we planned on being big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-noyce/from-the-beginning-at-intel-we-planned-on-being-big/) [Robert Noyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-noyce/) > [In the very beginning, Yelp started as a service where we really didn't think people would write reviews for fun. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stoppelman/in-the-very-beginning-yelp-started-as-a-service-where-we-really-didn/) [Jeremy Stoppelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stoppelman/) > [Some projects feel like the stars are aligning for them from the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/some-projects-feel-like-the-stars-are-aligning-for-them-from-the-very/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [Do not judge me by my beginning, Only by my end, Nor by the path I took, But where it led me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacklyn-h-lucas/do-not-judge-me-by-my-beginning-only-by-my-end-nor-by-the-path-i-took/) Jacklyn H Lucas [Browse all 3,566 Beginning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. 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