--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ..we are trained as children to get good…" description: "\"..we are trained as children to get good grades, get a good job, get a good spouse, get children, get ahead. In all this getting we get something else:..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/peter-mcwilliams-2236_anxiety_we-are-trained-as-children-to-get-good-g_2014186.png" --- # ..we are trained as children to get good grades, get a… ![“..we are trained as children to get good grades, get a good job, get a good spouse, get children, get ahead. In all this getting we get something else: anxiety and depression.” quote by Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/peter-mcwilliams-2236_anxiety_we-are-trained-as-children-to-get-good-g_2014186.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/peter-mcwilliams-2236_anxiety_we-are-trained-as-children-to-get-good-g_2014186.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/peter-mcwilliams-2236_anxiety_we-are-trained-as-children-to-get-good-g_2014186.png) > “..we are trained as children to get good grades, get a good job, get a good spouse, get children, get ahead. In all this getting we get something else: anxiety and depression.” [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal expectations push a linear life script, leading many to success mental health issues despite material success. **In simple terms:** Society’s script causes anxiety and depression. Key Takeaway Reevaluate personal values beyond external milestones. Themes mental health societal pressure expectations Mood reflective concerned Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - parenting - education choices - relationship decisions Key Concepts psychology well‑being cultural norms Questions to Reflect On - What values truly matter to you? - How can you balance ambition with well‑being? A Different Perspective Not everyone experiences anxiety; some thrive under pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Anxiety And Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-and-depression/) [Anxiety depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-depression/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-good-363901/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Get ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-ahead/) [Getting Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-anxiety-3613909/) [Good grades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-grades/) [Good job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-job/) [Grades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grades/) [Grades Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grades-good-2454954/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Spouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spouse/) [Trained Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trained-children-3613908/) ## Related quotes > [For me, a big part of anxiety and depression was not knowing how to say 'no' and wanting to please too many people... part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leong/for-me-a-big-part-of-anxiety-and-depression-was-not-knowing-how-to/) [Melissa Leong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leong/) > [I've certainly gone through my fair share of anxiety and depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-ve-certainly-gone-through-my-fair-share-of-anxiety-and-depression/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [“However, I should also point out, that for mild to moderate cases of depression, drugs don’t perform any better than placebo.  Interestingly, the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lee/however-i-should-also-point-out-that-for-mild-to-moderate-cases-of/) [James Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lee/) > [When I get anxiety and depression and things like that, I take to eating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-masvidal/when-i-get-anxiety-and-depression-and-things-like-that-i-take-to/) [Jorge Masvidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-masvidal/) > [I spoke up about my difficulties with anxiety and depression to try to help change people's view of those problems and improve understanding. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-bridge/i-spoke-up-about-my-difficulties-with-anxiety-and-depression-to-try/) [Frankie Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-bridge/) > [Like many artists, I have issues with anxiety and depression, so I try to live in a way that supports my mental health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-van-den-berg/like-many-artists-i-have-issues-with-anxiety-and-depression-so-i-try/) [Laura van den Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-van-den-berg/) > [I have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was a teenager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-have-struggled-with-anxiety-and-depression-since-i-was-a-teenager/) [Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/) > [With social media, so many people have anxiety and depression because of it. Of course technology is somewhat good, but it can present so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/with-social-media-so-many-people-have-anxiety-and-depression-because/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [“exercise is as effective as certain medications for treating anxiety and depression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-ratey/exercise-is-as-effective-as-certain-medications-for-treating-anxiety/) [John J. Ratey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-ratey/) > [I struggled tremendously with anxiety and depression related in part to my sexuality and growing up in a time when to be gay felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hayes/i-struggled-tremendously-with-anxiety-and-depression-related-in-part/) [Darren Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hayes/) > [ The thing about those conditions \[anxiety and depression\] that sucks the worst is that you don't address the root cause, so you never see… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-mullins/the-thing-about-those-conditions-anxiety-and-depression-that-sucks/) [Matty Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-mullins/) > [Anxiety and depression are the price you pay for a well-lived life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-vaillant/anxiety-and-depression-are-the-price-you-pay-for-a-well-lived-life/) [George Vaillant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-vaillant/) > [“Anxiety and depression, and the physical symptoms they cause, are merely distractions and smokescreens to “protect” you from dangers, which are usually, imaginary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-f-glassman/anxiety-and-depression-and-the-physical-symptoms-they-cause-are/) [Charles F. Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-f-glassman/) > [With anxiety and depression, what's been most helpful to me has been learning a toolbox - a set of skills I can use when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/with-anxiety-and-depression-what-s-been-most-helpful-to-me-has-been/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [Most people live somewhere on the spectrum of anxiety and depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/most-people-live-somewhere-on-the-spectrum-of-anxiety-and-depression/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) ## More by Peter McWilliams > [Heroes became heroes flaws and all gives us hope. "You mean I don't have to be perfect to fulfill my Dream, to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/heroes-became-heroes-flaws-and-all-gives-us-hope-you-mean-i-don-t/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Choosing what you want to do, and when to do it, is an act of creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/choosing-what-you-want-to-do-and-when-to-do-it-is-an-act-of-creation/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [there is nothing to be done. only accept it... and hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/there-is-nothing-to-be-done-only-accept-it-and-hurt/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Nothing adventured, nothing attained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/nothing-adventured-nothing-attained/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [If you want peace with others, don't fight them. Go your own way. Live your own life. If some walk with you, fine. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/if-you-want-peace-with-others-don-t-fight-them-go-your-own-way-live/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Pettiness seems to go hand in hand with vindictiveness. The smaller the person, the larger the need for revenge. This may account for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/pettiness-seems-to-go-hand-in-hand-with-vindictiveness-the-smaller/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Prison is a crash course in the darker side of life. Few survive it without becoming a different person: more cynical, jaded, fearful, angry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/prison-is-a-crash-course-in-the-darker-side-of-life-few-survive-it/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [One of the great joys of life is creativity. Information goes in, gets shuffled about, and comes out in new and interesting ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/one-of-the-great-joys-of-life-is-creativity-information-goes-in-gets/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Nausea is an unsolved problem of medicine and marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/nausea-is-an-unsolved-problem-of-medicine-and-marijuana-is-the-finest/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Worrying is the interest paid on a debt you may not owe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/worrying-is-the-interest-paid-on-a-debt-you-may-not-owe/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Be easier on yourself, on everyone, on everything. Suspend your judgments on the way things should be, must be, and ought to be. Suspending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/be-easier-on-yourself-on-everyone-on-everything-suspend-your/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [I feel that I am entitled to take medicinal marijuana. In general, I believe that everyone who has a doctor's prescription is entitled to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/i-feel-that-i-am-entitled-to-take-medicinal-marijuana-in-general-i/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Running from fear only strengthens fear-you are demonstrating that fear has power over you. Fear must be faced and gone through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/running-from-fear-only-strengthens-fear-you-are-demonstrating-that/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Positive thoughts: joy, happiness, fulfillment, achievement, worthiness, have positive results: enthusiasm, calm, well-being, ease, energy, love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/positive-thoughts-joy-happiness-fulfillment-achievement-worthiness/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Some people think that meditation takes time away from physical accomplishment. Taken to extremes, of course, that's true. Most people, however, find that meditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/some-people-think-that-meditation-takes-time-away-from-physical/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) [Explore all 177 Peter McWilliams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "..we are trained as children to get good grades, get a good job, get a good spouse, get children, get ahead. 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