--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At 21, you can live life with reckless…" description: "\"At 21, you can live life with reckless abandon, as reckless as your abandon is. Then, at 30, there's something there are the supposed to be's. You're l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/octavia-spencer-6802_abandon_at-21-you-can-live-life-with-reckless-ab_340177.jpg" --- # At 21, you can live life with reckless abandon, as… ![“At 21, you can live life with reckless abandon, as reckless as your abandon is. Then, at 30, there's something there are the supposed to be's. You're like, "I'm supposed to be doing this. I'm supposed to be doing that." You start measuring your life by what you think you're supposed to be doing…” quote by Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/octavia-spencer-6802_abandon_at-21-you-can-live-life-with-reckless-ab_340177.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/octavia-spencer-6802_abandon_at-21-you-can-live-life-with-reckless-ab_340177.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/205/octavia-spencer-6802_abandon_at-21-you-can-live-life-with-reckless-ab_340177.jpg) > “At 21, you can live life with reckless abandon, as reckless as your abandon is. Then, at 30, there's something there are the supposed to be's. You're like, "I'm supposed to be doing this. I'm supposed to be doing that." You start measuring your life by what you think you're supposed to be doing. Having recently turned 40, it's like, "What the hell?! Why am I worried about what I'm supposed to be doing? What do I want to do?" You become fine with wherever the road takes you.” [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Youth offers freedom from expectations, while adulthood imposes societal scripts; realizing this can free you to pursue authentic desires. **In simple terms:** Youth is free, adulthood feels constrained. Key Takeaway Question societal expectations and follow personal passions. Themes freedom expectations self‑discovery Mood reflective hopeful Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - midlife reflection - personal growth - decision making Key Concepts identity social pressure Questions to Reflect On - What expectations are you still holding? - How might you test a new path safely? A Different Perspective Breaking free can cause uncertainty and risk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Live life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-life/) [Reckless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reckless/) [Reckless abandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reckless-abandon/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-have-one-desire-now-to-live-a-life-of-reckless-abandon-for-the-lord/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“Thus began the weeks of what we termed being reckless - and I worry from that viewpoint, at least, that word defines our entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/thus-began-the-weeks-of-what-we-termed-being-reckless-and-i-worry/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“With reckless abandon, therefore, we are to manifest God’s unconditional love by ascribing unsurpassable worth to all people at all times in all conditions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-a-boyd/with-reckless-abandon-therefore-we-are-to-manifest-god-s/) [Gregory A. Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-a-boyd/) > [“reckless abandon and know that there will be someone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-giffin/reckless-abandon-and-know-that-there-will-be-someone/) [Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-giffin/) > [I want to live with that sense with the music I make, with the art I make, with the way I love my kids,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-curtis-chapman/i-want-to-live-with-that-sense-with-the-music-i-make-with-the-art-i/) [Steven Curtis Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-curtis-chapman/) > [I love with reckless abandon and ardour at times when caution and circumspection might be the order of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulrika-jonsson/i-love-with-reckless-abandon-and-ardour-at-times-when-caution-and/) [Ulrika Jonsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulrika-jonsson/) > [In terms of partying and reckless abandon, I'm Don Juan. But, in terms of my heart, I'm the most loyal man you'll ever meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/in-terms-of-partying-and-reckless-abandon-i-m-don-juan-but-in-terms/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) > [When you're telling a story, I think you should tell it to its fullest, with reckless abandon, and absolutely let it be what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/when-you-re-telling-a-story-i-think-you-should-tell-it-to-its-fullest/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [People get famous now for I-don't-know-what. People have reality shows because they're a Hollywood socialite, and these things become very successful and they generate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/people-get-famous-now-for-i-don-t-know-what-people-have-reality-shows/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [“Once a man discovers that his obedience is primarily for others’ sake, that every miracle that ever amazed happened because of someone’s obedience somewhere,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-wood/once-a-man-discovers-that-his-obedience-is-primarily-for-others-sake/) [Geoffrey Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-wood/) > [I only know how to play two ways: reckless and abandon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magic-johnson/i-only-know-how-to-play-two-ways-reckless-and-abandon/) [Magic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magic-johnson/) > [Let's face it, we're skunk drunk and it's because of money. It's almost like we all need to enter Betty Ford Clinic 2.0 together.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-rubel/let-s-face-it-we-re-skunk-drunk-and-it-s-because-of-money-it-s-almost/) [Steve Rubel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-rubel/) > [This magical, marvelous food on our plate, this sustenance we absorb, has a story to tell. It has a journey. It leaves a footprint.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/this-magical-marvelous-food-on-our-plate-this-sustenance-we-absorb/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) > [I just wanted to get the hell out of my town. I wanted to leave with reckless abandon. I didn't care where I ended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-joe-armstrong/i-just-wanted-to-get-the-hell-out-of-my-town-i-wanted-to-leave-with/) [Billie Joe Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-joe-armstrong/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) ## More by Octavia Spencer > [There are enough negative images of Black women out there and I did not want to portray Dorothy Vaughn in any stereotype. I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/there-are-enough-negative-images-of-black-women-out-there-and-i-did/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [Our challenges make us unique, and how we deal with them makes us unique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/our-challenges-make-us-unique-and-how-we-deal-with-them-makes-us/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [Because we all come from different circumstances, our life experiences really color how we view things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/because-we-all-come-from-different-circumstances-our-life-experiences/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [The things that scare you only make you better and stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/the-things-that-scare-you-only-make-you-better-and-stronger/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [Every character I get to play has some element of who I am, but there's no fun in playing yourself. At least, for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/every-character-i-get-to-play-has-some-element-of-who-i-am-but-there/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [Meeting Oprah Winfrey, I cried like a baby. Meeting Steven Spielberg, I cried like a baby. Meeting Denzel Washington, I gushed like a crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/meeting-oprah-winfrey-i-cried-like-a-baby-meeting-steven-spielberg-i/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I do believe that everyone has something to contribute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/i-do-believe-that-everyone-has-something-to-contribute/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I can only be the best version of myself and understand that the only way that we as a people can heal is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/i-can-only-be-the-best-version-of-myself-and-understand-that-the-only/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [The first time I saw E.T., the actual image of an alien, and he was so sweet-looking. I wanted him. I wanted E.T.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/the-first-time-i-saw-e-t-the-actual-image-of-an-alien-and-he-was-so/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [There is one thing about knowing history, and another in recreating it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/there-is-one-thing-about-knowing-history-and-another-in-recreating-it/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I'm an actor and I am looking for roles where I can continue to evolve, and things that are challenging. I gravitate to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/i-m-an-actor-and-i-am-looking-for-roles-where-i-can-continue-to/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I look for roles that resonate with me these days. While I love putting out just fabulous entertainment, I think now as artists, especially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/i-look-for-roles-that-resonate-with-me-these-days-while-i-love/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [As an actor, I've learned to become a detective. You have to figure out who that person is. If the character is a thief,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/as-an-actor-i-ve-learned-to-become-a-detective-you-have-to-figure-out/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I'm glad that I get to take my final walk as the princess of 2012. ...there's nothing wrong with winning an Oscar!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/i-m-glad-that-i-get-to-take-my-final-walk-as-the-princess-of-2012/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) > [I can only live in my truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-spencer/i-can-only-live-in-my-truth/) [Octavia Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) [Explore all 97 Octavia Spencer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-spencer/) ## More Abandon quotes > [Humans are, as Sartre put it, 'condemned to be free'. To insist that science, or God, objectively defines moral values is to abandon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenan-malik/humans-are-as-sartre-put-it-condemned-to-be-free-to-insist-that/) Kenan Malik > [The purpose of a spirit filled life is to demonstrate the supernatural power of our living God so that the unsaved multitudes will abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-osborn/the-purpose-of-a-spirit-filled-life-is-to-demonstrate-the/) [T.L. Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-l-osborn/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I would leave at once, but it would be cruel to abandon a lady in a foreign land with a maniac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-would-leave-at-once-but-it-would-be-cruel-to-abandon-a-lady-in-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) > [every subjective phenomenon is essentially connected with a single point of view, and it seems inevitable that an objective, physical theory will abandon that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/every-subjective-phenomenon-is-essentially-connected-with-a-single/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Every great thing starts with an idea, followed by a doubt and finally a resolve to abandon or pursue. Victory is a treacherous journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/every-great-thing-starts-with-an-idea-followed-by-a-doubt-and-finally/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/those-who-have-been-once-intoxicated-with-power-and-have-derived-any/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Do not lose hope; St. Joseph also experienced moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/do-not-lose-hope-st-joseph-also-experienced-moments-of-difficulty-but/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don't give up because things are hard, but work harder, when you think of giving up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/don-t-give-up-because-things-are-hard-but-work-harder-when-you-think/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Sex is not the ultimate high, but the ultimate high hangs out around sex. The ultimate high is the dance with another person, played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/sex-is-not-the-ultimate-high-but-the-ultimate-high-hangs-out-around/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I care so deeply about this matter that I'm willing to take on the legal penalties, to sit in this prison cell, to sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-care-so-deeply-about-this-matter-that-i-m-willing-to-take-on-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) Browse all 1,142 Abandon quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At 21, you can live life with reckless abandon, as reckless as your abandon is. Then, at 30, there's something there are the supposed to be's. You're like, \"I'm supposed to be doing this. I'm supposed to be doing that.\" You start measuring your life by what you think you're supposed to be doing. Having recently turned 40, it's like, \"What the hell?! Why am I worried about what I'm supposed to be doing? 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