Cirque du soleil Quote by Rachel Hawthorne
““I really didn’t know why I was so nervous. Maybe it was the way he kept looking at me, like he was trying to figure something out. Could he see through me? Did he know I wanted to impress him, use him to get close to his teammates? I went into the bathroom across the hall, the one between Tiffany’s bedroom and mine. Putting my hands on the edge of the sink, I leaned toward the mirror. “Could you be any more boring?” Then I realized what he’d been staring at. It wasn’t my eyes. It was a little ring of black dots where my mascara--while it was still wet--had touched above and below my eyes. I looked like some sort of Cirque du Soleil performer. “Great! Just great!” I muttered. You get only one chance to make a first impression. This wasn’t exactly the impression I’d planned to make.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “First Impressions”, 2020
Anxiety can distort perception; small details may dominate self‑image.
In simple terms: Nerves amplify flaws; focus shifts to imperfections.
Key Takeaway
Practice self‑compassion, reframe thoughts.
Themes
anxiety
self‑image
impression
confidence
Mood
nervous
reflective
Type
personal
narrative
When to use this quote
- job interview
- first date
- public speaking
- social media
Key Concepts
Psychology
social interaction
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift focus from flaws?
- What strategies calm nervousness?
A Different Perspective
May ignore strengths.
