--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This was all an excuse, I think. I was…" description: "\"“This was all an excuse, I think. I was doing fine. I had a 93 average and I was holding my head above water. I had good friends and a loving family. A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg" --- # This was all an excuse, I think. I was doing fine. I had a… ![“This was all an excuse, I think. I was doing fine. I had a 93 average and I was holding my head above water. I had good friends and a loving family. And because I needed to be the center of attention, because I needed something more, I ended up here, wallowing in myself, trying to convince…” quote by Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg) > ““This was all an excuse, I think. I was doing fine. I had a 93 average and I was holding my head above water. I had good friends and a loving family. And because I needed to be the center of attention, because I needed something more, I ended up here, wallowing in myself, trying to convince everybody around me that I have some kind of. . . disease. I don’t have any disease. I keep pacing. Depression isn’t a disease. It’s a pretext for being a prima donna. Everybody knows that. My friends know it; my principal knows it. The sweating has started again. I can feel the Cycling roaring up in my brain. I haven’t done anything right. What have I done, made a bunch of little pictures? That doesn’t count as anything. I’m finished. My principal just called me and I hung up on him and didn’t call back. I’m finished. I’m expelled. I’m finished.”” [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker uses self‑deprecation and denial of depression to mask deeper emotional struggles, highlighting avoidance and self‑sabotage. **In simple terms:** Denial and self‑criticism hide real pain. Key Takeaway Recognize and address underlying emotional issues. Themes mental health denial self‑sabotage Mood conflicted melancholic Type personal reflective When to use this quote - counseling - peer support - self‑reflection - stress coping Key Concepts psychology emotional regulation identity crisis Questions to Reflect On - What emotions are you truly feeling? - How can you seek honest support? A Different Perspective Denial can prevent seeking help; stigma may worsen condition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Center of attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/center-of-attention/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Depression Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression-isn-1152214/) [Doing Fine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-fine/) [Expelled Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expelled-finished-5550198/) [Finished Expelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished-expelled-5550197/) [Finished Principal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished-principal-5550199/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Good friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-friend/) [Good friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-friends/) [Loving family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-family/) [Pacing Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pacing-depression-5550200/) ## Related quotes > [“But that’s depression, isn’t it? It makes you selfish. It…it shrinks your world down. Like you’re inside a tornado or something. How are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-rogers-maher/but-that-s-depression-isn-t-it-it-makes-you-selfish-it-it-shrinks/) [Rebecca Rogers Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-rogers-maher/) > [“Because we have never been taught any other way to meet our distress, we don’t realize how much our habits of avoidance or brooding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-halliwell/because-we-have-never-been-taught-any-other-way-to-meet-our-distress/) [Ed Halliwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-halliwell/) > [Depression isn't part of my nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-barton/depression-isn-t-part-of-my-nature/) [Joey Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-barton/) > [“Night—it’s the only thing that will cover up one of my black moods. 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Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/if-you-know-someone-who-s-depressed-please-resolve-never-to-ask-them-2/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [“People talk about dark moods, black moods, all the time. But depression isn’t a dark mood. It’s an ash-grey mood, or possibly some type…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-extence/people-talk-about-dark-moods-black-moods-all-the-time-but-depression/) [Gavin Extence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-extence/) > [“Depression isn't a bad word...but it can destroy. We must have hope we can save many...We must keep the faith that we can try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/depression-isn-t-a-bad-word-but-it-can-destroy-we-must-have-hope-we/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [The worst thing about depression isn't the sense that you're accentuating the negative, it's that you're seeing things the way they really are, stripped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lileks/the-worst-thing-about-depression-isn-t-the-sense-that-you-re/) [James Lileks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lileks/) > [“And that's the most frustrating thing about depression. It isn't always something you can fight back against with hope. It isn't even something -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allie-brosh/and-that-s-the-most-frustrating-thing-about-depression-it-isn-t/) [Allie Brosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allie-brosh/) > [Depression Isn't funny. Cutting isn't funny. Annorexia isn't funny. Bulimia isn't funny. Suicide is definitely not funny. I don't know why you're making jokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylee-newton/depression-isn-t-funny-cutting-isn-t-funny-annorexia-isn-t-funny/) [Kaylee Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylee-newton/) > [Depression isn't about, 'Woe is me, my life is this, that and the other', it's like having the worst flu all day that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/depression-isn-t-about-woe-is-me-my-life-is-this-that-and-the-other/) [Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/) > [If you know someone who's depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn't a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/if-you-know-someone-who-s-depressed-please-resolve-never-to-ask-them/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [Depression isn't the almighty ruler of your destiny. Even its familiar traits - grief, anger, despair - you find that you can use in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-jefferson/depression-isn-t-the-almighty-ruler-of-your-destiny-even-its-familiar/) [Margo Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-jefferson/) ## More by Ned Vizzini > [I want to live but I want to die. What do I do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-want-to-live-but-i-want-to-die-what-do-i-do/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“See, because being Cool is obviously the most important thing on earth. It’s more important than getting a job, or having a girlfriend, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/see-because-being-cool-is-obviously-the-most-important-thing-on-earth/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“She puts on her poker face; I don’t have any extra faces to put on, just the normal Craig face.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/she-puts-on-her-poker-face-i-don-t-have-any-extra-faces-to-put-on/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“pro scienta atque sapienta-Latin- for science and wisdom It's a Darwinian popularity contest. at all times, the question on everyone's mind is, "who's coolest?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/pro-scienta-atque-sapienta-latin-for-science-and-wisdom-it-s-a/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [I think you run out of 'I love yous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-think-you-run-out-of-i-love-yous/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live. Live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/so-now-live-for-real-craig-live-live-live-live/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“...one quarter of your life is spent as a minor; you might as well make the best of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/one-quarter-of-your-life-is-spent-as-a-minor-you-might-as-well-make/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [Once you have a kid, it's amazing how quickly people ask, 'So are you going to stop at just one?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/once-you-have-a-kid-it-s-amazing-how-quickly-people-ask-so-are-you/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“So when I ran out of the final bottle of Zoloft, I didn’t take any more. I didn’t call Dr. Barney either. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/so-when-i-ran-out-of-the-final-bottle-of-zoloft-i-didn-t-take-any/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“If Bobby can get a place to live, I think, then I can get a life worth living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/if-bobby-can-get-a-place-to-live-i-think-then-i-can-get-a-life-worth/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“Up next is Noelle. 'Hey, girl!' 'Don't you dare start calling me that. This is very nice of you to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/up-next-is-noelle-hey-girl-don-t-you-dare-start-calling-me-that-this/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [They're sort of ancillary anyway, friends. I mean, they're important -- everybody knows that; the TV tells you so -- but they come and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/they-re-sort-of-ancillary-anyway-friends-i-mean-they-re-important/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“There are only things that could have turned out differently. You don't have any shoulds or woulds in your life, see? You only have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/there-are-only-things-that-could-have-turned-out-differently-you-don/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [That's what gets me through the day. Knowing that I could do it. That I'm strong enough to do it and I can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/that-s-what-gets-me-through-the-day-knowing-that-i-could-do-it-that-i/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [I like how you don't hide your problems like everyone else, and I don't have to hide mine when I'm around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-like-how-you-don-t-hide-your-problems-like-everyone-else-and-i-don/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) [Explore all 237 Ned Vizzini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) ## More Center of attention quotes > [“Some examples of good, healthy values: honesty, innovation, vulnerability, standing up for oneself, standing up for others, self-respect, curiosity, charity, humility, creativity. Some examples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/some-examples-of-good-healthy-values-honesty-innovation-vulnerability/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [When I was 20, I used to go around telling stories, and I knew where I was comfortable - onstage, talking, making 'em laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/when-i-was-20-i-used-to-go-around-telling-stories-and-i-knew-where-i/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [You ever noticed when that girl walks into any room she become the center of attention. Unlike the others whom look at her chest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrcountry/you-ever-noticed-when-that-girl-walks-into-any-room-she-become-the/) [MrCountry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrcountry/) > [I actually feel awkward being at the center of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-catmull/i-actually-feel-awkward-being-at-the-center-of-attention/) [Edwin Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-catmull/) > [“The Nine Most Social Fears: 1. Being the center of attention 2. Having to speak or perform in front of an audience 3. Being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-and-harry-choron/the-nine-most-social-fears-1-being-the-center-of-attention-2-having/) [Sandra and Harry Choron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-and-harry-choron/) > [“Writers, even unpublished writers, have a tendency not to notice what’s going on around them when they are the center of attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-reilly/writers-even-unpublished-writers-have-a-tendency-not-to-notice-what-s/) [Gary Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-reilly/) > [I don't really enjoy being the center of attention; I find it hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicky-krieps/i-don-t-really-enjoy-being-the-center-of-attention-i-find-it-hard/) [Vicky Krieps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicky-krieps/) > [For the first time, I was the center of attention. Everyone watched me as if I were a bomb. Would I explode and cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/for-the-first-time-i-was-the-center-of-attention-everyone-watched-me/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [Some people go too church and shout 'amen' louder than everyone else, thinking it proves how spiritual they are. In reality, it only proves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/some-people-go-too-church-and-shout-amen-louder-than-everyone-else/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“Life as a widow, she thinks, will always be like this. The friends will go on proposing toasts for months (for years!). To her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-koch/life-as-a-widow-she-thinks-will-always-be-like-this-the-friends-will/) [Herman koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-koch/) > [I've always been an outspoken child, and I always wanted to be the center of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glorilla/i-ve-always-been-an-outspoken-child-and-i-always-wanted-to-be-the/) [GloRilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glorilla/) > [I have an insatiable desire to be the center of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-have-an-insatiable-desire-to-be-the-center-of-attention/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [I was not born to be the center of attention in a crowded room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/i-was-not-born-to-be-the-center-of-attention-in-a-crowded-room/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [I am not interested in having the world revolve around me; that's too boring of an idea. I would rather revolve around the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-interested-in-having-the-world-revolve-around-me-that-s-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's definitely nerve-racking to be the center of attention. I'm not the kind of an actor that just craves attention 24-7 - but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-hamm/it-s-definitely-nerve-racking-to-be-the-center-of-attention-i-m-not/) [Jon Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-hamm/) [Browse all 131 Center of attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/center-of-attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“This was all an excuse, I think. I was doing fine. I had a 93 average and I was holding my head above water. I had good friends and a loving family. And because I needed to be the center of attention, because I needed something more, I ended up here, wallowing in myself, trying to convince everybody around me that I have some kind of. . . disease. I don’t have any disease. I keep pacing. Depression isn’t a disease. It’s a pretext for being a prima donna. Everybody knows that. My friends know it; my principal knows it. The sweating has started again. I can feel the Cycling roaring up in my brain. I haven’t done anything right. What have I done, made a bunch of little pictures? That doesn’t count as anything. I’m finished. My principal just called me and I hung up on him and didn’t call back. I’m finished. I’m expelled. I’m finished.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ned Vizzini" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doing-fine-i-had-a-93-average/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Center of attention" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doing-fine-i-had-a-93-average/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/ned-vizzini-1483_center-of-attention_this-was-all-an-excuse-i-think-i-was-doi_2321368.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This was all an excuse, I think. I was doing fine. 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