--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a child I was such an intense…" description: "\"As a child I was such an intense daydreamer; I could be so gone that I had to be smacked to come back. They were really worried that I had some kind of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/patti-smith-394_children_as-a-child-i-was-such-an-intense-daydrea_3228142.jpg" --- # As a child I was such an intense daydreamer; I could be so… ![“As a child I was such an intense daydreamer; I could be so gone that I had to be smacked to come back. They were really worried that I had some kind of catatonia or something because I would go so far out. Because all I wanted to do was talk to god as a child.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/patti-smith-394_children_as-a-child-i-was-such-an-intense-daydrea_3228142.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/patti-smith-394_children_as-a-child-i-was-such-an-intense-daydrea_3228142.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be1/patti-smith-394_children_as-a-child-i-was-such-an-intense-daydrea_3228142.jpg) > “As a child I was such an intense daydreamer; I could be so gone that I had to be smacked to come back. They were really worried that I had some kind of catatonia or something because I would go so far out. Because all I wanted to do was talk to god as a child.” [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A vivid imagination can make a child seem detached, prompting concern, yet it reflects a deep yearning for spiritual connection. **In simple terms:** Daydreaming shows a child's deep spiritual longing. Key Takeaway Embrace imagination while staying grounded. Themes imagination spirituality childhood mental health Mood reflective nostalgic Type personal insightful When to use this quote - parenting - education - creative work - mental health support Key Concepts psychology transcendence creativity Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance imagination with reality? - What practices help channel spiritual curiosity construct A Different Perspective Excessive daydreaming may hinder real-world engagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Catatonia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catatonia-777768/) [Child Intense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child-intense-2637562/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Daydreamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daydreamer/) [Intense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intense/) [Intense Daydreamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intense-daydreamer-6096265/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Kind Catatonia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind-catatonia-6096266/) [Talk To God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talk-to-god/) [Worried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worried/) ## Related quotes > [A child with an intense capacity for feeling can suffer to a degree that is beyond any degree of adult suffering, because imagination, ignorance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-delafield/a-child-with-an-intense-capacity-for-feeling-can-suffer-to-a-degree/) [E. M. Delafield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-delafield/) > [When I get too worked up about things I have always escaped into catatonia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-zambreno/when-i-get-too-worked-up-about-things-i-have-always-escaped-into/) [Kate Zambreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-zambreno/) > [“Television is the most insidious form of escape known to man. It is the leading medication in the production of catatonia, cutting attention spans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-walker/television-is-the-most-insidious-form-of-escape-known-to-man-it-is/) [Tommy Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-walker/) > [That was the deal basically: catatonia without; frenzy within](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/that-was-the-deal-basically-catatonia-without-frenzy-within/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [“JERRY: Look at the way you're looking at me. I can't wait for you. I'm bowled over, I'm totally knocked out, you dazzle me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-pinter/jerry-look-at-the-way-you-re-looking-at-me-i-can-t-wait-for-you-i-m/) [Harold Pinter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-pinter/) > [“I'd never been this close to the Obscure Object before. It was hard on my organism. My nervous system launched into "Flight of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/i-d-never-been-this-close-to-the-obscure-object-before-it-was-hard-on/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [Composition for me is, externally at least, scarcely distinguishable from catatonia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wilbur/composition-for-me-is-externally-at-least-scarcely-distinguishable/) [Richard Wilbur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wilbur/) > [A daydreamer is prepared for most things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/a-daydreamer-is-prepared-for-most-things/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [“Be here now is the daydreamer's lament.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-pivarnik/be-here-now-is-the-daydreamer-s-lament/) [Kyle Pivarnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-pivarnik/) > [I am a bit of a daydreamer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lucas/i-am-a-bit-of-a-daydreamer/) [Matt Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lucas/) > [I've always been a daydreamer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/puff-daddy/i-ve-always-been-a-daydreamer/) [Puff Daddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/puff-daddy/) > [“It's life's failure and its deficiencies that make someone a daydreamer. I don't understand why prophets and philosophers didn't see the significance in that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shokoofeh-azar/it-s-life-s-failure-and-its-deficiencies-that-make-someone-a/) [Shokoofeh Azar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shokoofeh-azar/) > [“A daydreamer is a writer just waiting for pen and paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/a-daydreamer-is-a-writer-just-waiting-for-pen-and-paper/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [If you're not a daydreamer, you haven't got any imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cassidy/if-you-re-not-a-daydreamer-you-haven-t-got-any-imagination/) [David Cassidy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cassidy/) > [“I was a daydreamer and I resented being pulled out of my daydreams to deal with the business of living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-was-a-daydreamer-and-i-resented-being-pulled-out-of-my-daydreams-to/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) ## More by Patti Smith > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [ Sometimes \[people\] seem to think I came out of the womb, you know, cursing, with an electric guitar. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/sometimes-people-seem-to-think-i-came-out-of-the-womb-you-know/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Inside it he inscribed a few lines of poetry, portraying us as the gypsy and the fool, one creating silence; one listening closely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/inside-it-he-inscribed-a-few-lines-of-poetry-portraying-us-as-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/who-can-know-the-heart-of-youth-but-youth-itself/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“I clawed through a thick web of the culture’s consciousness that I hadn’t known existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-clawed-through-a-thick-web-of-the-culture-s-consciousness-that-i/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-certain-as-we-filled-down-the-great-staircase-that-i-appeared-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/new-york-is-the-thing-that-seduced-me-new-york-is-the-thing-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I don't wanna be equal with anybody. I wanna be above equal. I don't think most people are equal to me. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-don-t-wanna-be-equal-with-anybody-i-wanna-be-above-equal-i-don-t/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took over and I started getting very involved with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/somehow-i-started-introducing-writing-into-my-drawings-and-after-a/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) [Explore all 595 Patti Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## More Children 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/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. 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