--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up having to do manual labor…" description: "\"I grew up having to do manual labor because people always told me that I was an ugly girl. I've never had the permission to be myself except for when I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/rain-dove-5961_girl_i-grew-up-having-to-do-manual-labor-beca_1322368.jpg" --- # I grew up having to do manual labor because people always… ![“I grew up having to do manual labor because people always told me that I was an ugly girl. I've never had the permission to be myself except for when I'm doing manual labor. Because in manual labor, it's about, 'Can you pick this up, can you move this here,' and I could.” quote by Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/rain-dove-5961_girl_i-grew-up-having-to-do-manual-labor-beca_1322368.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/rain-dove-5961_girl_i-grew-up-having-to-do-manual-labor-beca_1322368.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/rain-dove-5961_girl_i-grew-up-having-to-do-manual-labor-beca_1322368.jpg) > “I grew up having to do manual labor because people always told me that I was an ugly girl. I've never had the permission to be myself except for when I'm doing manual labor. Because in manual labor, it's about, 'Can you pick this up, can you move this here,' and I could.” [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker finds freedom and self‑acceptance in manual labor, where ability is measured by work, not appearance. **In simple terms:** Work can empower identity beyond looks. Key Takeaway Seek work that validates skill, not looks. Themes self‑acceptance labor identity Mood reflective empowering Type personal motivational When to use this quote - manual jobs - creative projects - team tasks Key Concepts empowerment body positivity skill validation Questions to Reflect On - How does work shape your self‑view? - What non‑physical tasks affirm you? A Different Perspective Physical work may not suit everyone; other avenues exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Having Manual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-manual-4411405/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Labor Manual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor-manual-4411406/) [Manual labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manual-labor/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Told Ugly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/told-ugly-894191/) [Ugly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ugly/) ## Related quotes > [I fantasize about having a manual job where I can come home at night, read a book and not feel responsible for what will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-fantasize-about-having-a-manual-job-where-i-can-come-home-at-night/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [since some people had told me that I was ugly, I always preferred shade to the sun, darkness to light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/since-some-people-had-told-me-that-i-was-ugly-i-always-preferred/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I've been told that I'm too ugly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-page/i-ve-been-told-that-i-m-too-ugly/) [Joanna Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-page/) > [Do you see these hands?" Jo said, holding them up. "These were made for caressing handsome men and meant to be adorned with pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/do-you-see-these-hands-jo-said-holding-them-up-these-were-made-for/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [Manual labor to my father was not only good and decent for it's own sake but, as he was given to saying, it straightened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ellen-chase/manual-labor-to-my-father-was-not-only-good-and-decent-for-it-s-own/) [Mary Ellen Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ellen-chase/) > [I worked full time jobs, basically doing manual labor until I could make enough money supporting myself as a musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flea/i-worked-full-time-jobs-basically-doing-manual-labor-until-i-could/) [Flea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flea/) > [Coming from a working-class background, where my father did manual labor, was a good grounding; I was obsessed with getting a job or getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-marr/coming-from-a-working-class-background-where-my-father-did-manual/) [Johnny Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-marr/) > [I find it very sad that so many girls who look up to me are young women of color who have been told that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/i-find-it-very-sad-that-so-many-girls-who-look-up-to-me-are-young/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [He only left you that money, so you could control me like he did. He used to put his hands on my dress. Told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice/he-only-left-you-that-money-so-you-could-control-me-like-he-did-he/) [Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice/) > [Kids threw rocks at me, told me I was ugly and left death threats in my locker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevyn-aucoin/kids-threw-rocks-at-me-told-me-i-was-ugly-and-left-death-threats-in/) [Kevyn Aucoin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevyn-aucoin/) > [I'm always told I'm ugly, never pretty or delicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peaches/i-m-always-told-i-m-ugly-never-pretty-or-delicate/) [Peaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peaches/) > [I always saw myself as really ugly. My father even told me I was ugly because I would shave my head and look like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asia-argento/i-always-saw-myself-as-really-ugly-my-father-even-told-me-i-was-ugly/) [Asia Argento](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asia-argento/) > [I was always told I was ugly. I still think I am ugly. I know I've got an odd face and you can't tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mika/i-was-always-told-i-was-ugly-i-still-think-i-am-ugly-i-know-i-ve-got/) [Mika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mika/) > [“Sean stood there with a mischievous grin, hand still forming a claw. He’d tapped on the door with his fingernails to fool me. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-echols/sean-stood-there-with-a-mischievous-grin-hand-still-forming-a-claw-he/) [Jennifer Echols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-echols/) > [“If they hadn't told me I was ugly, I never would have searched for my beauty. And if they hadn't tried to break me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabourney-sidibe/if-they-hadn-t-told-me-i-was-ugly-i-never-would-have-searched-for-my/) [Gabourney Sidibe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabourney-sidibe/) ## More by Rain Dove > [I'm more comfortable modelling as a man because I don't get any criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-m-more-comfortable-modelling-as-a-man-because-i-don-t-get-any/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [The first thing you put on in the morning is your lingerie, and you have to look at yourself and tell yourself that you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/the-first-thing-you-put-on-in-the-morning-is-your-lingerie-and-you/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [My goal is to eradicate poverty. I think we can't have equality until we eradicate poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/my-goal-is-to-eradicate-poverty-i-think-we-can-t-have-equality-until/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [My very first runway show, I was in 'Vogue.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/my-very-first-runway-show-i-was-in-vogue/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [I will conquer Femmeness... And then, I will turn it on its head and redefine it for the world to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-will-conquer-femmeness-and-then-i-will-turn-it-on-its-head-and/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [There's something so empowering about knowing I can pick up an axe and split a piece of wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/there-s-something-so-empowering-about-knowing-i-can-pick-up-an-axe/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [I ended up in Colorado working in wilderness fire prevention. My job was to run around with a chainsaw and cut down trees during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-ended-up-in-colorado-working-in-wilderness-fire-prevention-my-job/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [Victoria's Secret should highlight real women that actually purchase their clothing. I would love for them to start featuring more real bodies and diverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/victoria-s-secret-should-highlight-real-women-that-actually-purchase/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [A gender capitalist is someone who takes advantage of opportunities given to people based on their perceived sex or gender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/a-gender-capitalist-is-someone-who-takes-advantage-of-opportunities/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [Fortunately, unlike my teachers and classmates, my parents never forced gender roles or even a ended identity on me. I grew up on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/fortunately-unlike-my-teachers-and-classmates-my-parents-never-forced/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [To be existing at all is beautiful simply because of how complicated and unexplainable being alive really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/to-be-existing-at-all-is-beautiful-simply-because-of-how-complicated/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [My state of being is just unique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/my-state-of-being-is-just-unique/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [Some people say there's a reason that Victoria's Secret wouldn't put me or any woman who doesn't fit within a certain spectrum on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/some-people-say-there-s-a-reason-that-victoria-s-secret-wouldn-t-put/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [I feel more comfortable in men's clothing, and I'm a lot of more convincing as a boy than as a gendered female. But with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-feel-more-comfortable-in-men-s-clothing-and-i-m-a-lot-of-more/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) > [I have nothing against the Victoria's Secret Angels. They're all beautiful people, and I respect where they are at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rain-dove/i-have-nothing-against-the-victoria-s-secret-angels-they-re-all/) [Rain Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) [Explore all 100 Rain Dove quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rain-dove/) ## More Girl quotes > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [BOY: what do u want more than anything? GIRL: to stand in the middle of the street in the pouring rain and have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana13/boy-what-do-u-want-more-than-anything-girl-to-stand-in-the-middle-of/) [Ana13](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana13/) > [I'm just a girl trying to find a way in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-just-a-girl-trying-to-find-a-way-in-this-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [Good girls don't hurt other people's feelings. Good girls are not overly aggressive, competitive, or boastful. Good girls please others. But what good girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jane-gilman/good-girls-don-t-hurt-other-people-s-feelings-good-girls-are-not/) [Susan Jane Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jane-gilman/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I want a man that when I come running up to him with tears running down my face, the first thing he says is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-a-man-that-when-i-come-running-up-to-him-with-tears-running/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. 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