--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In middle school, we are all so damn…" description: "\"In middle school, we are all so damn insecure. It was the worst time for me, really destructive, like slapping myself across the face but loving it. No..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/nikki-reed-8938_adults_in-middle-school-we-are-all-so-damn-inse_296171.jpg" --- # In middle school, we are all so damn insecure. It was the… ![“In middle school, we are all so damn insecure. It was the worst time for me, really destructive, like slapping myself across the face but loving it. Now I have to be an adult and change myself. I have to be a bigger person.” quote by Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/nikki-reed-8938_adults_in-middle-school-we-are-all-so-damn-inse_296171.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/nikki-reed-8938_adults_in-middle-school-we-are-all-so-damn-inse_296171.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a07/nikki-reed-8938_adults_in-middle-school-we-are-all-so-damn-inse_296171.jpg) > “In middle school, we are all so damn insecure. It was the worst time for me, really destructive, like slapping myself across the face but loving it. Now I have to be an adult and change myself. I have to be a bigger person.” [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) ## 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 describes middle school as a period of intense insecurity and self‑destruction, now recognizing the need to mature and become more compassionate. **In simple terms:** She sees teenage years as painful but a catalyst for personal growth. Key Takeaway Embrace growth and practice compassion. Themes adolescence self‑esteem personal growth compassion identity Mood introspective determined hopeful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - therapy sessions - mentoring programs - self‑help workshops - career transitions Key Concepts psychological development self‑reflection emotional resilience Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to become a bigger person? - How does confronting past insecurity shape adult identity? A Different Perspective Self‑improvement can be hindered by lingering insecurity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Bigger person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger-person/) [Change Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-myself/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Middle school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-school/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Niggas out here buyin' hoes bags n' shoes, But couldn't buy their kid a new coat for school? Damn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-ave/niggas-out-here-buyin-hoes-bags-n-shoes-but-couldn-t-buy-their-kid-a/) Troy Ave > [Dear Girls, you're all very beautiful. Stop being so damn insecure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lee-riner/dear-girls-you-re-all-very-beautiful-stop-being-so-damn-insecure/) [Justin Lee Riner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lee-riner/) > [I wouldn't change myself, even if I could. I like myself. And the minute you're not true to yourself, you're in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-mosbacher/i-wouldn-t-change-myself-even-if-i-could-i-like-myself-and-the-minute/) [Georgette Mosbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-mosbacher/) > [I wouldn't want to change myself for the whole world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cher-lloyd/i-wouldn-t-want-to-change-myself-for-the-whole-world/) [Cher Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cher-lloyd/) > [Don't expect me to change myself when u know u are always gonna remain the same ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-expect-me-to-change-myself-when-u-know-u-are-always-gonna/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ I enjoy the physicality a little more, with Vinnie Paz \[in Bleed for This\] that was the most prep I've ever had to do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/i-enjoy-the-physicality-a-little-more-with-vinnie-paz-in-bleed-for/) [Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/) > [I am true to myself and my beliefs I am glad I was taught to accept me for me to live life to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-true-to-myself-and-my-beliefs-i-am-glad-i-was-taught-to-accept/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wouldnt want to change myself for the whole world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cher-lloyd/i-wouldnt-want-to-change-myself-for-the-whole-world/) [Cher Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cher-lloyd/) > [I can't change myself. I'm Mike Tyson. I'm a regular kid from the getto striving to do something positive with myself. I happen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-can-t-change-myself-i-m-mike-tyson-i-m-a-regular-kid-from-the-getto/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [“There was nowhere to go. This hate was everywhere, even in my bedroom. I choked out a sob and wondered why everyone thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-nacht/there-was-nowhere-to-go-this-hate-was-everywhere-even-in-my-bedroom-i/) Jackie Nacht > [The message I'm sending to myself - I can't change the world until I change myself first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/the-message-i-m-sending-to-myself-i-can-t-change-the-world-until-i/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) > [I cannot change myself. That's how I think. That's how I like basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikola-jokic/i-cannot-change-myself-that-s-how-i-think-that-s-how-i-like-basketball/) [Nikola Jokic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikola-jokic/) > [I would never want to change myself to be someone I'm not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilly-singh/i-would-never-want-to-change-myself-to-be-someone-i-m-not/) [Lilly Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilly-singh/) > [Im not going to change myself just to fit in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james/im-not-going-to-change-myself-just-to-fit-in/) [James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james/) > [“He smiled sadly. "I was lost from the moment I saw you on Ovchinin Island. It took a long while for me to realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-skye/he-smiled-sadly-i-was-lost-from-the-moment-i-saw-you-on-ovchinin/) [Evelyn Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-skye/) ## More by Nikki Reed > [Reusing and recycling our materials is the most important thing we can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/reusing-and-recycling-our-materials-is-the-most-important-thing-we/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [I have nobody. I have surrounded myself with people who are fake just because I need to talk to somebody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/i-have-nobody-i-have-surrounded-myself-with-people-who-are-fake-just/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [I definitely think that females have a harder time. It's a lot harder to be a girl because you're always in your head. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/i-definitely-think-that-females-have-a-harder-time-it-s-a-lot-harder/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [Some of the greatest moments in life come from moments that are incomplete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/some-of-the-greatest-moments-in-life-come-from-moments-that-are/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [Im going to school actually while were shooting. Im talking five, but I was just told that two are unavailable so Im waiting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/im-going-to-school-actually-while-were-shooting-im-talking-five-but-i/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [Right now I'm in 'Twilight' and I go around to signings and there are people screaming and crying, and it's so surreal. 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I'm a believer in the concept that people should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/having-people-wait-outside-of-my-house-sort-of-gives-me-a-panic/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [Follow your heart and don't question it, no matter where it tells you to go It will open up a world of experiences you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/follow-your-heart-and-don-t-question-it-no-matter-where-it-tells-you/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [I don't drink, and karaoke is something you should only do drunk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/i-don-t-drink-and-karaoke-is-something-you-should-only-do-drunk/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [The frenzy of the little-girl culture is something very unique, and I can only say that because I was one. The obsession - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/the-frenzy-of-the-little-girl-culture-is-something-very-unique-and-i/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [Whenever you hear that Kevin Spacey is producing a project and he is going to be very in touch and work closely with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/whenever-you-hear-that-kevin-spacey-is-producing-a-project-and-he-is/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [I definitely think that females have a harder time. It's a lot harder to be a girl because you're always in your head. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/i-definitely-think-that-females-have-a-harder-time-it-s-a-lot-harder-2/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [Part of being young is making mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/part-of-being-young-is-making-mistakes/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) [Explore all 76 Nikki Reed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) ## More Adults quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. 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Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) K. 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They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [On the one hand, we had great filmic spectacles that brought in big audiences, adults as well as primary and secondary school students. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-wajda/on-the-one-hand-we-had-great-filmic-spectacles-that-brought-in-big/) [Andrzej Wajda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-wajda/) > [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [When I was a child at sixteen, I was just a child. All sixteen year-olds are just children. As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) [Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In middle school, we are all so damn insecure. It was the worst time for me, really destructive, like slapping myself across the face but loving it. Now I have to be an adult and change myself. 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