--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It took me a really long time to get past…" description: "\"It took me a really long time to get past all of that internalized dissociation with being female that I was being given by media.\" — Noelle Stevenson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg" --- # It took me a really long time to get past all of that… ![“It took me a really long time to get past all of that internalized dissociation with being female that I was being given by media.” quote by Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg) > “It took me a really long time to get past all of that internalized dissociation with being female that I was being given by media.” [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Internalized gender bias, amplified by media, can alienate women from their own identities. **In simple terms:** Media can distort self‑image for women. Key Takeaway Challenge media narratives. Themes gender media influence identity psychology Mood reflective critical empowering Type social commentary personal narrative When to use this quote - media consumption - personal development - activism - education Key Concepts self‑acceptance feminist critique social conditioning Questions to Reflect On - How does media shape your self‑view? - What steps can reclaim authentic identity? A Different Perspective Overcoming bias may need community support, not just personal effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [People without an internalized symbolic system can all too easily become captives of the media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/people-without-an-internalized-symbolic-system-can-all-too-easily/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [One thing the fans got to understand is that I missed two years, and we took it really, really slow, and we made sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-embiid/one-thing-the-fans-got-to-understand-is-that-i-missed-two-years-and/) [Joel Embiid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-embiid/) > [ It took me a really long time to get here, but I'm here. Carrie, you're the one. \[Mr.Big\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sex-and-the-city/it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-here-but-i-m-here-carrie-you-re/) Sex And The City > [Being a professional musician always felt like such a dream thing to do, so it took a while for me to really go after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-rowsell/being-a-professional-musician-always-felt-like-such-a-dream-thing-to/) [Ellie Rowsell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-rowsell/) > [I always took myself really seriously in my 20s and needed everyone to know that I wasn't a spoiled blond actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-foster/i-always-took-myself-really-seriously-in-my-20s-and-needed-everyone/) [Erin Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-foster/) > [First thing I did when I found out I made it into the top 13 is I tried not to faint and you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haley-reinhart/first-thing-i-did-when-i-found-out-i-made-it-into-the-top-13-is-i/) [Haley Reinhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haley-reinhart/) > [“...internalized the Negro theorem of needing to be twice as good to get half as far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/internalized-the-negro-theorem-of-needing-to-be-twice-as-good-to-get/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [One of the most durable and destructive legacies of discrimination is the way we've internalized a sense of limitation; how so many in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/one-of-the-most-durable-and-destructive-legacies-of-discrimination-is/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I was like, 'What is this?' Until I found out it was stress related. That's how I internalized it. I don't do that anymore.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/i-was-like-what-is-this-until-i-found-out-it-was-stress-related-that/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) > [Internalized sexism that makes us feel like we can't show ourselves not being perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-hanna/internalized-sexism-that-makes-us-feel-like-we-can-t-show-ourselves/) [Kathleen Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-hanna/) > [“some point you had to risk the ridicule of the mob, of your own internalized voices, and try to see clearly what had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/some-point-you-had-to-risk-the-ridicule-of-the-mob-of-your-own/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [When God's Word is deliberately internalized, it will be authentically externalized because it's no longer what we do - it's part of who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/when-god-s-word-is-deliberately-internalized-it-will-be-authentically/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I've always internalized things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-fonda/i-ve-always-internalized-things/) [Peter Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-fonda/) > [For every young person living on the streets tonight, there are many at home zoning out inside their homes through video games, and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-fletcher/for-every-young-person-living-on-the-streets-tonight-there-are-many/) [Adam Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-fletcher/) > [You have the power to think differently about who you are. You have the ability to turn off the critical voice inside of you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/you-have-the-power-to-think-differently-about-who-you-are-you-have/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) ## More by Noelle Stevenson > [I kind of understood inherently - and I wasn't really conflicted about this - that comics were not for me or by people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-kind-of-understood-inherently-and-i-wasn-t-really-conflicted-about/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > ['Nimona' was originally a vague idea I had when I was in high school, when I was just getting into shapeshifting characters. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/nimona-was-originally-a-vague-idea-i-had-when-i-was-in-high-school/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [I think comics has this rap of being misogynistic, and that's certainly not untrue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-think-comics-has-this-rap-of-being-misogynistic-and-that-s/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [It seems like everyone in my peer group has more 'Pokemon' knowledge than I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/it-seems-like-everyone-in-my-peer-group-has-more-pokemon-knowledge/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [There are some things that are more appropriate for different audiences. But the goal with all ages is to create comics that anyone can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/there-are-some-things-that-are-more-appropriate-for-different/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [Even in stories that I like, with a female character that I love deeply, it always feels like there's something that she has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/even-in-stories-that-i-like-with-a-female-character-that-i-love/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [I've always kind of gravitated toward characters who are a bit distant from the narrator or the point-of-view characters, so that's kind of important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-ve-always-kind-of-gravitated-toward-characters-who-are-a-bit/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [The good thing about doing a comic that's entirely my own voice as a debut is that people approached me with similar jobs, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/the-good-thing-about-doing-a-comic-that-s-entirely-my-own-voice-as-a/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [It was not until Web comics that I saw stories about women and stories by women and things that were aimed specifically at female…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/it-was-not-until-web-comics-that-i-saw-stories-about-women-and/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [I do more research about 'Lumberjanes' than I did for a story of medieval knights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-do-more-research-about-lumberjanes-than-i-did-for-a-story-of/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [Usually I start with a concept, which I then sketch out so that I can get a feel for the character. The character doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/usually-i-start-with-a-concept-which-i-then-sketch-out-so-that-i-can/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [I don't think naturally I tend toward anything that's really distinctly branded as adult. I feel like I sort of write for myself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-don-t-think-naturally-i-tend-toward-anything-that-s-really/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [I really want to see normalization of queer sexuality - as well as the lack of sexuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-really-want-to-see-normalization-of-queer-sexuality-as-well-as-the/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [I didn't get into comics until college, and it was sort of an accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/i-didn-t-get-into-comics-until-college-and-it-was-sort-of-an-accident/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) > [Question everything. Don't try to emulate someone else's path. Look at what you have, the tools you have, the place you're in; know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/question-everything-don-t-try-to-emulate-someone-else-s-path-look-at/) [Noelle Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) [Explore all 59 Noelle Stevenson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It took me a really long time to get past all of that internalized dissociation with being female that I was being given by media.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Noelle Stevenson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-past-all-of-that-internalized/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-past-all-of-that-internalized/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd5/noelle-stevenson-11488_being_it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-pas_1449004.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It took me a really long time to get past all of that internalized dissociation with being female that I was…” — Noelle Stevenson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Noelle Stevenson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noelle-stevenson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It took me a really long...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-past-all-of-that-internalized/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-stevenson/it-took-me-a-really-long-time-to-get-past-all-of-that-internalized/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```