--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As I look back on it, I'm glad that I had…" description: "\"As I look back on it, I'm glad that I had this false image. I was who everyone else - my parents, my friends, society - wanted me to be. I was a please..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/natalie-portman-1515_glad_as-i-look-back-on-it-i-m-glad-that-i-had_3141596.jpg" --- # As I look back on it, I'm glad that I had this false… ![“As I look back on it, I'm glad that I had this false image. I was who everyone else - my parents, my friends, society - wanted me to be. I was a pleaser, someone who wanted to make everyone happy, to not let anyone down. Now, I'm not like that.” quote by Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/natalie-portman-1515_glad_as-i-look-back-on-it-i-m-glad-that-i-had_3141596.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/natalie-portman-1515_glad_as-i-look-back-on-it-i-m-glad-that-i-had_3141596.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/737/natalie-portman-1515_glad_as-i-look-back-on-it-i-m-glad-that-i-had_3141596.jpg) > “As I look back on it, I'm glad that I had this false image. I was who everyone else - my parents, my friends, society - wanted me to be. I was a pleaser, someone who wanted to make everyone happy, to not let anyone down. Now, I'm not like that.” [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She describes shedding a pleaser persona imposed by external expectations, gaining authenticity and self‑acceptance. **In simple terms:** Letting go of others’ expectations leads to genuine self. Key Takeaway Release the need to please; discover your true self. Themes self‑acceptance authenticity growth Mood determined hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career choices - relationships - personal development Key Concepts psychology social pressure Questions to Reflect On - What expectations still hold you back? - How will you maintain authenticity? A Different Perspective The transition can be painful and socially risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/image/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [U.S.-Israel relations are often depicted as an extended honeymoon, but that's a false image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/u-s-israel-relations-are-often-depicted-as-an-extended-honeymoon-but/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [I will always love the false image I had of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/i-will-always-love-the-false-image-i-had-of-you/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [Everyone else we knew growing up is the same: image of their parents, no matter how loud they told themselves they'd be different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tana-french/everyone-else-we-knew-growing-up-is-the-same-image-of-their-parents/) [Tana French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tana-french/) > [You show me someone who can't understand people and I'll show you someone who has built up a false image of himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/you-show-me-someone-who-can-t-understand-people-and-i-ll-show-you/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [A man pleaser cannot be true to God, because he is a servant to the enemies of his service; the wind of a man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/a-man-pleaser-cannot-be-true-to-god-because-he-is-a-servant-to-the/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [I was definitely never a crowd pleaser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-was-definitely-never-a-crowd-pleaser/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [I'm a big people pleaser; I had a very awkward adolescence. Part of me is still that person who wants everyone to like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alissa-nutting/i-m-a-big-people-pleaser-i-had-a-very-awkward-adolescence-part-of-me/) [Alissa Nutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alissa-nutting/) > [One of the most painfully inauthentic ways we show up in our lives sometimes is saying "yes" when we mean "no," and saying "no"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/one-of-the-most-painfully-inauthentic-ways-we-show-up-in-our-lives/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I love to go to a regular movie theater, especially when the movie is a big crowd-pleaser. It's much better watching a movie with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-love-to-go-to-a-regular-movie-theater-especially-when-the-movie-is/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I used to be a major people pleaser, but that way purgatory lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracie-bennett/i-used-to-be-a-major-people-pleaser-but-that-way-purgatory-lies/) [Tracie Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracie-bennett/) > [“The challenge of being authentic for people pleasers is that we really want people to like and accept us. Being vulnerable, however, requires that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-challenge-of-being-authentic-for-people-pleasers-is-that-we/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [I'm a real people-pleaser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/i-m-a-real-people-pleaser/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [Let your light shine today, and let your personality blossom, too. You don't have to be a people-pleaser, just a people-lover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/let-your-light-shine-today-and-let-your-personality-blossom-too-you/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I've got to be kind of careful because I've had good advice: "Don't sell yourself too short." I have to not be too available…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-keaggy/i-ve-got-to-be-kind-of-careful-because-i-ve-had-good-advice-don-t/) Phil Keaggy > [Most musicals are real crowd pleasers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lapine/most-musicals-are-real-crowd-pleasers/) [James Lapine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lapine/) ## More by Natalie Portman > [I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-m-going-to-college-i-don-t-care-if-it-ruins-my-career-i-d-rather-be/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I'd basically have trouble with any job that doesn't require me to wear silly clothes and talk in funny voices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-d-basically-have-trouble-with-any-job-that-doesn-t-require-me-to/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [ Even \[Donald Trump\] presence was bullying, was lurking, and was just mainly creepy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/even-donald-trump-presence-was-bullying-was-lurking-and-was-just/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [Your relationship with your husband should be an important part of your private life, but publicly you should be able to define yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/your-relationship-with-your-husband-should-be-an-important-part-of/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I'm not really much of a genre guy. I think that audiences don't need that anymore where you just need a very specific genre.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-m-not-really-much-of-a-genre-guy-i-think-that-audiences-don-t-need/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I know a famous violinist who told me he can't compose because he knows too many pieces. So, when he starts thinking of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-know-a-famous-violinist-who-told-me-he-can-t-compose-because-he/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [To have to watch myself in a way that was constructively critical was really good for me because it made me a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/to-have-to-watch-myself-in-a-way-that-was-constructively-critical-was/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I am more a teenager than anyone else I know. One minute I feel really adult and the next minute I say, 'Let's play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-am-more-a-teenager-than-anyone-else-i-know-one-minute-i-feel-really/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [Hillary Clinton is incredibly prepared and smart on all of the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/hillary-clinton-is-incredibly-prepared-and-smart-on-all-of-the-issues/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [Hillary Clinton has really strong plans, in terms of the economy, extending health care even further, making education more affordable, making smart gun law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/hillary-clinton-has-really-strong-plans-in-terms-of-the-economy/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [Social networking is playing a huge role in creating awareness and mobilizing support for all kinds of common interests. What better way to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/social-networking-is-playing-a-huge-role-in-creating-awareness-and/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I also feel I'm a positive role model by not putting my education on hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-also-feel-i-m-a-positive-role-model-by-not-putting-my-education-on/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [I do think there is a sort of natural balance in nature between men and women, and that it's being thrown off-balance by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-do-think-there-is-a-sort-of-natural-balance-in-nature-between-men/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [Girls have girl/guy relationships because we are expected to be so emotional and sensitive and stuff, and sometimes you just don't feel like being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/girls-have-girl-guy-relationships-because-we-are-expected-to-be-so/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) > [It really wasn't my thing. It still isn't my thing, the whole science-fiction action thing. I prefer simpler, character-based movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/it-really-wasn-t-my-thing-it-still-isn-t-my-thing-the-whole-science/) [Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) [Explore all 233 Natalie Portman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/) ## More Glad quotes > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [Even if we can't be together in the end. I'm glad that you were part of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/even-if-we-can-t-be-together-in-the-end-i-m-glad-that-you-were-part/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [I am glad The Worst Journey is coming out in Penguins: after all it is largely about penguins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apsley-cherry-garrard/i-am-glad-the-worst-journey-is-coming-out-in-penguins-after-all-it-is/) [Apsley Cherry-Garrard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apsley-cherry-garrard/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The happy ending is hardly important, though we may be glad its there. The real joy is knowing that if you felt the trouble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/the-happy-ending-is-hardly-important-though-we-may-be-glad-its-there/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [It doesn't matter where you go in life, what you do or how much you have. It's who you have beside you... I'm so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-doesn-t-matter-where-you-go-in-life-what-you-do-or-how-much-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Lord, send Your life throughout the entire church. Visit Your church; restore sound doctrine and holy, earnest living. Take away from professing Christians their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/lord-send-your-life-throughout-the-entire-church-visit-your-church/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, Thou art the present portion of Thy people, favour us this year with such a sense of Thy preciousness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/since-o-sweet-lord-jesus-thou-art-the-present-portion-of-thy-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm glad I'm blind and can't see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-m-glad-i-m-blind-and-can-t-see-it/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [ Sexy for me is a curvy woman - doesn't have to be skinny, which I hate anyway. I'm glad \[the fashion industry\] is changing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/sexy-for-me-is-a-curvy-woman-doesn-t-have-to-be-skinny-which-i-hate/) [Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/) > [I teach my children that in life, there is no control of what tomorrow is going to bring. There really isn't. But in whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-winans/i-teach-my-children-that-in-life-there-is-no-control-of-what-tomorrow/) [BeBe Winans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-winans/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All the earth is at rest and is quiet: they are bursting into song. Even the trees of the wood are glad over you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah/all-the-earth-is-at-rest-and-is-quiet-they-are-bursting-into-song/) [Isaiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah/) Browse all 2,272 Glad quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As I look back on it, I'm glad that I had this false image. I was who everyone else - my parents, my friends, society - wanted me to be. I was a pleaser, someone who wanted to make everyone happy, to not let anyone down. 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