---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm not acting, I like to go home…"
description: "\"When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really normal. So I usually grow out my hair until I get the next part.\" — Paul Dano"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg"
---

#  When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really…

![“When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really normal. So I usually grow out my hair until I get the next part.” quote by Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg)

> “When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really normal. So I usually grow out my hair until I get the next part.”

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When idle, I retreat to normalcy, using simple routines like growing hair to await the next creative phase.

**In simple terms:** Idle time leads to simple comforts before new work.

Key Takeaway

Embrace downtime, prepare for next phase.

Themes

creativity routine self‑care anticipation

Mood

contemplative calm

Type

personal reflective

When to use this quote

- artist’s block
- personal downtime
- pre‑production rituals

Key Concepts

identity pause growth cycles

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance normalcy with ambition?
- What simple habit helps you reset?

A Different Perspective

Relying on routine may stall progress if overused.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/home/)

## Related quotes

> [I jetset around and play these songs and get to hang with some pretty amazing people, then I go home to a really great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-paisley/i-jetset-around-and-play-these-songs-and-get-to-hang-with-some-pretty/)

[Brad Paisley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-paisley/)

> [ Maybe if I have another baby \[I will grow my hair\], because your hair grows super fast. I'll just grow it out and go… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-rose/maybe-if-i-have-another-baby-i-will-grow-my-hair-because-your-hair/)

[Amber Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-rose/)

> [“Hair Growth     Want long and luscious hair? We all know how long it can take to grow hair so here is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-cat-press/hair-growth-want-long-and-luscious-hair-we-all-know-how-long-it-can/)

Black Cat Press

> [Cornrows came back with a vengeance in the early '00s with every dude trying to grow his hair out to get 'braided up.' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/cornrows-came-back-with-a-vengeance-in-the-early-00s-with-every-dude/)

[Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/)

> [If I want to shave my head tomorrow and gain 50 pounds, or grow my hair long and lose 50 pounds, I have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordyn-woods/if-i-want-to-shave-my-head-tomorrow-and-gain-50-pounds-or-grow-my/)

[Jordyn Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordyn-woods/)

> [The weather was so cold in Lisbon when I arrived. I decided, 'Let's grow the hair to hide my ears.' And after that, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-luiz/the-weather-was-so-cold-in-lisbon-when-i-arrived-i-decided-let-s-grow/)

[David Luiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-luiz/)

> [You know, I just tend to grow my beard out for 'Parks and Rec.' As an actor it's always easier to shave or cut…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pratt/you-know-i-just-tend-to-grow-my-beard-out-for-parks-and-rec-as-an/)

[Chris Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pratt/)

> [I'd always wanted to grow my hair out. And now looking back on those photos I understand why I probably shouldn't have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cook/i-d-always-wanted-to-grow-my-hair-out-and-now-looking-back-on-those/)

[David Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cook/)

> [I'd like to be the romantic lead one day, but I've got to grow my hair first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinnie-jones/i-d-like-to-be-the-romantic-lead-one-day-but-i-ve-got-to-grow-my-hair/)

[Vinnie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinnie-jones/)

> [Ladies, just know that when you grow your hair too long, you got about two inches difference between really hot, sexy supermodel - religious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iliza-shlesinger/ladies-just-know-that-when-you-grow-your-hair-too-long-you-got-about/)

[Iliza Shlesinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iliza-shlesinger/)

> [“If we get lucky, it will grow hair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-miller/if-we-get-lucky-it-will-grow-hair/)

[Kirsten Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-miller/)

> [I had to grow the hair down there. But because of years of waxing, as all of us girls know, it doesn't come back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-had-to-grow-the-hair-down-there-but-because-of-years-of-waxing-as/)

[Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/)

> [I have always held myself out as a hair culturist. I grow hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madam-c-j-walker/i-have-always-held-myself-out-as-a-hair-culturist-i-grow-hair/)

[Madam C. J. Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madam-c-j-walker/)

> [I'm about 5' 10", and my hair is the length of my whole body now. We grow our hair because of faith, but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-marley/i-m-about-5-10-and-my-hair-is-the-length-of-my-whole-body-now-we-grow/)

[Damian Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-marley/)

> [Where I'm from in South Carolina a lot of my friends, a lot of my family members have locks, what we call them. So,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-hopkins/where-i-m-from-in-south-carolina-a-lot-of-my-friends-a-lot-of-my/)

[DeAndre Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-hopkins/)

## More by Paul Dano

> [When somebody mentions that I did a play with George C. Scott, I'm like, it can't have happened. What was I doing on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-somebody-mentions-that-i-did-a-play-with-george-c-scott-i-m-like/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [ Of course I think it's a movie for everybody \[Insane Farting Corpse\], but that's probably just because it's a movie for me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/of-course-i-think-it-s-a-movie-for-everybody-insane-farting-corpse/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [Some projects go as you hope or imagine, and some change or reveal themselves in a different way; it depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/some-projects-go-as-you-hope-or-imagine-and-some-change-or-reveal/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [I try to leave my work at the door when I leave the set. It's almost like summer camp. You go in hard, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-try-to-leave-my-work-at-the-door-when-i-leave-the-set-it-s-almost/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [I dont normally like getting dressed up, but when I go to events, I like to look put together. Ive got to say, getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-dont-normally-like-getting-dressed-up-but-when-i-go-to-events-i/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [Nobody is a perfect actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/nobody-is-a-perfect-actor/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [The better the acting is, the harder it is to see what the process is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/the-better-the-acting-is-the-harder-it-is-to-see-what-the-process-is/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [ If you could call me buff, my version of buff was when I finished that film \[Swiss Army Man\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/if-you-could-call-me-buff-my-version-of-buff-was-when-i-finished-that/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [The only constant I can find is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/the-only-constant-i-can-find-is-hard-work/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [ Reading the script \[Insane Farting Corpse\], by page two or three, I felt that way. I thought, I'm in. It was so beautiful and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/reading-the-script-insane-farting-corpse-by-page-two-or-three-i-felt/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [I went to tranny bars and kind of got used to being around that and then getting dressed up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-went-to-tranny-bars-and-kind-of-got-used-to-being-around-that-and/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [ I'm really excited to share the movie \[Swiss Army Man\] with people, so I'm glad that people are seeing it. And I want them… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-m-really-excited-to-share-the-movie-swiss-army-man-with-people-so-i/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [I want to do some bigger films, so long as there's some sort of exciting creative element or a good filmmaker behind them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-want-to-do-some-bigger-films-so-long-as-there-s-some-sort-of/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [As an actor, I always feel you basically have to be able to delude yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/as-an-actor-i-always-feel-you-basically-have-to-be-able-to-delude/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

> [People have asked me about playing outsiders. I don't consider myself an outsider. Maybe that's why I'm interested in that. I'm not really sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/people-have-asked-me-about-playing-outsiders-i-don-t-consider-myself/)

[Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

[Explore all 160 Paul Dano quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/)

## More Acting quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/)

[Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/)

> [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/)

[Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/)

> [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/)

[Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/)

> [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/)

[Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/)

> [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/)

[Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/)

> [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/)

[Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/)

> [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/)

[Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/)

> [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/)

[Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/)

> [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/)

[Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/)

> [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/)

Ryan Newman

> [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/)

[Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/)

> [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/)

[Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/)

> [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/)

> [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/)

[Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/)

[Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really normal. So I usually grow out my hair until I get the next part.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Paul Dano"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-and-be-really-normal-so-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acting"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-and-be-really-normal-so-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b35/paul-dano-2579_acting_when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-an_3099609.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really normal. So I usually grow out my hair until I get the…” — Paul Dano",
                "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": "Paul Dano",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "When I'm not acting, I like...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-and-be-really-normal-so-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-i-m-not-acting-i-like-to-go-home-and-be-really-normal-so-i/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
