--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have a strong sense of self, but that's…" description: "\"I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative thing.\" — Ray LaMontagne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg" --- # I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative… ![“I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative thing.” quote by Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg) > “I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative thing.” [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑confidence is presented positively, emphasizing that a strong sense of identity is not detrimental. **In simple terms:** Strong self‑sense is good. Key Takeaway Cultivate healthy self‑identity. Themes self‑esteem identity positivity Mood confident inspirational Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - creative work - leadership - relationships Key Concepts self‑concept personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What boundaries keep confidence healthy? - How does self‑knowledge aid decisions? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can alienate others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-negative-293676/) [Sense of self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-self/) [Sense Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-self/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-sense/) [Strong sense of self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-sense-of-self/) ## Related quotes > [You have to have a strong sense of self in this business - otherwise they're going to spit you out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlene-tilton/you-have-to-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-in-this-business-otherwise/) [Charlene Tilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlene-tilton/) > [Everyone needs a strong sense of self. It is our base of operations for everything that we do in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-alvarez/everyone-needs-a-strong-sense-of-self-it-is-our-base-of-operations/) [Julia Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-alvarez/) > [I was always encouraged to really root myself in a strong sense of self and not to believe all the nasty things people were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-odudu/i-was-always-encouraged-to-really-root-myself-in-a-strong-sense-of/) [A. J. Odudu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-odudu/) > [Having a strong sense of self is fundamental to you, no matter what you're doing. I don't care if you're a stay at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/having-a-strong-sense-of-self-is-fundamental-to-you-no-matter-what/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [I know who I am. I have a very strong sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-stewart/i-know-who-i-am-i-have-a-very-strong-sense-of-self/) [Kristen Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-stewart/) > [As a writer, you need a strong sense of self-belief. And when it comes to writing, I've always had that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-frame/as-a-writer-you-need-a-strong-sense-of-self-belief-and-when-it-comes/) [Ronald Frame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-frame/) > [A girl must have an indefinable magic, real character, a strong sense of self. Her role is to respond to the brief of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-connor/a-girl-must-have-an-indefinable-magic-real-character-a-strong-sense/) [Erin O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-connor/) > [“The ego isn't a bad thing. 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I told you of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/you-were-firing-questions-at-me-today-trying-to-get-inside-my-head/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [I had a complicated upbringing, so I had to rely on myself and figure out what that meant and rely on my good friends.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaz-sinclair/i-had-a-complicated-upbringing-so-i-had-to-rely-on-myself-and-figure/) [Jaz Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaz-sinclair/) > [You can't fight human nature. Ego is going to get the best of everyone. You're going to think you can trust someone when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-chen/you-can-t-fight-human-nature-ego-is-going-to-get-the-best-of-everyone/) [Julie Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-chen/) > [To me, a strong sense of self isn't believing in a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/to-me-a-strong-sense-of-self-isn-t-believing-in-a-lot/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [“Why were there no words that spoke positively about being concerned about the self? Why was there only negative connotation in terms like "selfish",…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-dalton/why-were-there-no-words-that-spoke-positively-about-being-concerned/) [A.J. Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-dalton/) ## More by Ray LaMontagne > [It bugs me that people think my songs are personal because it means I have to explain myself all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/it-bugs-me-that-people-think-my-songs-are-personal-because-it-means-i/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [I need space between me and the audience - and the more space the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-need-space-between-me-and-the-audience-and-the-more-space-the-better/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [The thing I love about music is that you can take things that are painful, deep things that hurt you, and you can turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/the-thing-i-love-about-music-is-that-you-can-take-things-that-are/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [“And when all your faith is gone let it be me, if it's a friend you need let it be me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/and-when-all-your-faith-is-gone-let-it-be-me-if-it-s-a-friend-you/) [Ray Lamontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [Social situations, for me - it's very natural for me to be an observer. That's where I'm most comfortable. I observe things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/social-situations-for-me-it-s-very-natural-for-me-to-be-an-observer/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [“But everything I have to give, I'll give to you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/but-everything-i-have-to-give-i-ll-give-to-you/) [Ray Lamontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [There's a real sense of desperation when you grow up in poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/there-s-a-real-sense-of-desperation-when-you-grow-up-in-poverty/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [It's so easy to get caught up in your own experiences. They can seem so important. But there are billions and billions of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/it-s-so-easy-to-get-caught-up-in-your-own-experiences-they-can-seem/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [The label doesn't do anything but put your record in the store, that's all they do. And tell you, you don't have a single...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/the-label-doesn-t-do-anything-but-put-your-record-in-the-store-that-s/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [I'd much rather be playing songs than talking to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-d-much-rather-be-playing-songs-than-talking-to-people/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [My backstory is so tedious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/my-backstory-is-so-tedious/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [I am very self-critical, but that's a good thing because it keeps me growing as a human being and as a musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-am-very-self-critical-but-that-s-a-good-thing-because-it-keeps-me/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [I refused then like I do now to let anybody tie me down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-refused-then-like-i-do-now-to-let-anybody-tie-me-down/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [Well, I looked my demons in the eyes laid bare my chest, said 'Do your best, destroy me. You see, I’ve been to hell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/well-i-looked-my-demons-in-the-eyes-laid-bare-my-chest-said-do-your/) [Ray LaMontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) > [“And baby, the way you move me it's crazy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/and-baby-the-way-you-move-me-it-s-crazy/) [Ray Lamontagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) [Explore all 46 Ray LaMontagne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/) ## More Identity quotes > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [You have expressive nationalism, I mean very identity driven, which shaped each other a lot of that in the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/you-have-expressive-nationalism-i-mean-very-identity-driven-which/) [Subrahmanyam Jaishankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/) > [Family over friends, because real friends are family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/family-over-friends-because-real-friends-are-family/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think everybody, or the great majority of human beings, have this aspiration to become other: to live a different identity, at least for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/i-think-everybody-or-the-great-majority-of-human-beings-have-this/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [Tell me how much a nation knows about its own language, and I will tell you how much that nation knows about its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/tell-me-how-much-a-nation-knows-about-its-own-language-and-i-will/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-think-that-most-of-us-anyway-read-these-stories-that-we-know-are/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-intoxication-of-the-ego-of-i-am/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“At the moment, then, of Man’s victory over Nature, we find the whole human race subjected to some individual men, and those individuals subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/at-the-moment-then-of-man-s-victory-over-nature-we-find-the-whole/) [C.S. 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Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-dalton/) [Browse all 11,949 Identity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative thing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ray LaMontagne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s-not-a-negative-thing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Identity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s-not-a-negative-thing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/379/ray-lamontagne-14474_identity_i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s_1071815.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative thing.” — Ray LaMontagne", "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": "Ray LaMontagne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lamontagne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have a strong sense of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s-not-a-negative-thing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lamontagne/i-have-a-strong-sense-of-self-but-that-s-not-a-negative-thing/#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 } } ] } ```