---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm getting better at avoiding this, but…"
description: "\"I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something sets me off, I tend to punch first and then find out who I actually his later.\" — Richelle Mead"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg"
---

#  I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something…

![“I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something sets me off, I tend to punch first and then find out who I actually his later.” quote by Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg)

> “I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something sets me off, I tend to punch first and then find out who I actually his later.”

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

## About This Quote

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

When provoked, the speaker reacts impulsively, then reflects on the true target of their anger.

**In simple terms:** Impulse before understanding.

Key Takeaway

Pause before reacting.

Themes

impulse control reflection anger management

Mood

frustrated reflective

Type

advice personal growth

When to use this quote

- conflict
- workplace
- personal relationships
- stressful situations

Key Concepts

psychology self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- What triggers your immediate reaction?
- How could you identify the real source of frustration?

A Different Perspective

Impulsivity can damage relationships if not checked.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Avoiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoiding/) [Better Avoiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-avoiding-1146003/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Get better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-better/) [Getting better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-better/) [Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punch/) [Punch Actually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punch-actually-1146005/) [Tend Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tend-punch-1146004/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/)

## Related quotes

> [When I go to throw a punch, actually, my intention is to hit somebody. That's just second nature to me. So you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-franklin/when-i-go-to-throw-a-punch-actually-my-intention-is-to-hit-somebody/)

[Rich Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-franklin/)

> [I wasn't fooled. He was avoiding looking at me. "There's nothing to talk about." "I knew you'd say that. Actually, it was a toss-up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-wasn-t-fooled-he-was-avoiding-looking-at-me-there-s-nothing-to-talk/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [I can take a punch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artem-lobov/i-can-take-a-punch/)

[Artem Lobov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artem-lobov/)

> [I know how to punch and kick, I know how to do stuff most people can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uriah-hall/i-know-how-to-punch-and-kick-i-know-how-to-do-stuff-most-people-can-t/)

[Uriah Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uriah-hall/)

> [I'm still not a very good white wine, but I'm drinkable - you could put me in a punch, anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-m-still-not-a-very-good-white-wine-but-i-m-drinkable-you-could-put/)

[Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/)

> [Why don't you bring your face up here and let me punch it? Then you can tell me (if I'm stronger).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/why-don-t-you-bring-your-face-up-here-and-let-me-punch-it-then-you/)

[Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/)

> [Professionals don't get writer's block. I can always come up with the punch line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mort-walker/professionals-don-t-get-writer-s-block-i-can-always-come-up-with-the/)

[Mort Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mort-walker/)

> [You looking for a dick punch?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-moody/you-looking-for-a-dick-punch/)

[Hank Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-moody/)

> [“Morgan said that his mother said that Miss Kildaire is sitting on a shelf." Zach had to think about that one for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/morgan-said-that-his-mother-said-that-miss-kildaire-is-sitting-on-a/)

[Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/)

> [We used to go to the fairground, and there's that punchable thing that measures your power. It was from one of those that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimi-manuwa/we-used-to-go-to-the-fairground-and-there-s-that-punchable-thing-that/)

[Jimi Manuwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimi-manuwa/)

> [“Don’t make me punch you anymore, okay?” he whispered. I nodded, opening my eyes. “You have to punch other people, though.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tintera/don-t-make-me-punch-you-anymore-okay-he-whispered-i-nodded-opening-my/)

[Amy Tintera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tintera/)

> [With Derrick Lewis, I won all the rounds and then I just took this punch. It was good for him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-volkov/with-derrick-lewis-i-won-all-the-rounds-and-then-i-just-took-this/)

[Alexander Volkov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-volkov/)

> [I'm not doing one lucky punch or spinning kick and catching somebody. I'm going to own you - not beat you - own you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-anderson/i-m-not-doing-one-lucky-punch-or-spinning-kick-and-catching-somebody/)

[Corey Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-anderson/)

> [Anyone can throw a jab, but it takes skill to land a punch and make it hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deondriea-cantrice/anyone-can-throw-a-jab-but-it-takes-skill-to-land-a-punch-and-make-it/)

[Deondriea Cantrice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deondriea-cantrice/)

> [I loved 'Funny Lady' for whatever reason. People say they didn't know I could sing and dance. Well, nobody ever asks me - it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-caan/i-loved-funny-lady-for-whatever-reason-people-say-they-didn-t-know-i/)

[James Caan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-caan/)

## More by Richelle Mead

> [“Jerome shrugged. “We’re back to the part where I don’t give a fuck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/jerome-shrugged-we-re-back-to-the-part-where-i-don-t-give-a-fuck/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“A piece of heaven?" I managed to ask. He slowly shook his head. "No. The other place. The one I'm going to burn in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/a-piece-of-heaven-i-managed-to-ask-he-slowly-shook-his-head-no-the/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [When I talked to him earlier, he said he had to work tonight,” Peter explained, “but that we should go ahead and draw for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/when-i-talked-to-him-earlier-he-said-he-had-to-work-tonight-peter/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [It was a nephilim.” “A nephi-what?” asked Hugh, startled. “Isn’t that a character on Sesame Street?” Peter spoke up for the first time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/it-was-a-nephilim-a-nephi-what-asked-hugh-startled-isn-t-that-a/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [Life and death were so unpredictable. So close to each other. We existed moment to moment, never knowing who would be the next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/life-and-death-were-so-unpredictable-so-close-to-each-other-we/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“I watched, enthralled, as he painted a large silver heart with flames edging one side. The whole design was Celtic in style. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-watched-enthralled-as-he-painted-a-large-silver-heart-with-flames/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“I loved Aeson. You have no idea what love is.” “Oh, I do. I know that it’s the best high and the worst hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-loved-aeson-you-have-no-idea-what-love-is-oh-i-do-i-know-that-it-s/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“Why would you do that? Why would you act like you didn't know how to drive?" "Isn't it obvious, Sage? No, of course it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/why-would-you-do-that-why-would-you-act-like-you-didn-t-know-how-to/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“Everything I’d fought for, every challenge, every victory … all of it was empty if anything happened to him. Without him, I wouldn’t have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/everything-i-d-fought-for-every-challenge-every-victory-all-of-it-was/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [Is it true? You had a clean getaway and risked it all for me?" I Swallowed. "It wouldn't have been a clean getaway without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/is-it-true-you-had-a-clean-getaway-and-risked-it-all-for-me-i/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [Keith was just bringing the glass to his lips when Adrian said, "Mmm. O positive, my favorite." Keith sprayed out the wine he'd just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/keith-was-just-bringing-the-glass-to-his-lips-when-adrian-said-mmm-o/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“Life’s like that. As we grow and change, some things we’ve experienced before take on new meaning. It’ll happen for the rest of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/life-s-like-that-as-we-grow-and-change-some-things-we-ve-experienced/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [Hey Sydney," she said, giving me a small, crooked smile as she entered the room. Her flashing, dark eyes were friendly, but they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/hey-sydney-she-said-giving-me-a-small-crooked-smile-as-she-entered/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“Sydney Katherine Sage,” he said, his green eyes full of love and earnestness. “Would you do a brooding, deadbeat Moroi the honor of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/sydney-katherine-sage-he-said-his-green-eyes-full-of-love-and/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

[Explore all 2,001 Richelle Mead quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

## More Avoiding quotes

> [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/)

[Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/)

> [I've always been a very restless person. I work hard, spend too much time looking after my son, I dance like a mad thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-ve-always-been-a-very-restless-person-i-work-hard-spend-too-much/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/)

[Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/)

> [ I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures \[about Prophet Muhammad\] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-fogh-rasmussen/i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caricatures-about-prophet-muhammad/)

[Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-fogh-rasmussen/)

> [I know a bit about taxation and the remarkable effort that goes in to avoiding it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rinder/i-know-a-bit-about-taxation-and-the-remarkable-effort-that-goes-in-to/)

[Robert Rinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rinder/)

> [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/)

[Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/)

> [I don't believe in happy endings. Children have got to face death sooner or later. Granny and Grandpa die, dogs die, cats die, gerbils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-briggs/i-don-t-believe-in-happy-endings-children-have-got-to-face-death/)

[Raymond Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-briggs/)

> [Resisting and avoiding pain sucks energy-and time. The more you let yourself feel those minute-and-a-half hells, the quicker you'll start feeling those minute-and-a-half happinesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/resisting-and-avoiding-pain-sucks-energy-and-time-the-more-you-let/)

[Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/)

> [Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/reading-is-sometimes-an-ingenious-device-for-avoiding-thought/)

[Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/)

> [A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/a-day-can-really-slip-by-when-you-re-deliberately-avoiding-what-you/)

[Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/)

> [When someone starts Ignoring you, just back off without staying there with them Just to know the reason for avoiding..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vishak/when-someone-starts-ignoring-you-just-back-off-without-staying-there/)

[Vishak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vishak/)

> [You know what takes effort? Being kind, being patient, being respectful, telling someone how you feel politely instead of just avoiding them for six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/you-know-what-takes-effort-being-kind-being-patient-being-respectful/)

[Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/)

> [It's all about being flexible, and avoiding choices whenever possible. Choices suck, they are inherently limiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-armstrong/it-s-all-about-being-flexible-and-avoiding-choices-whenever-possible/)

[Craig Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-armstrong/)

> [In my personal life I'm very conservative. I've been married to the same person for nearly 50 years, I'm scrupulous about paying bills, avoiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/in-my-personal-life-i-m-very-conservative-i-ve-been-married-to-the/)

[Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/)

[Browse all 713 Avoiding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoiding/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something sets me off, I tend to punch first and then find out who I actually his later.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richelle Mead"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but-when-something-sets-me-off-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Avoiding"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but-when-something-sets-me-off-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ba/richelle-mead-46_avoiding_i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but_1700466.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I'm getting better at avoiding this, but when something sets me off, I tend to punch first and then find out…” — Richelle Mead",
                "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": "Richelle Mead",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I'm getting better at avoiding this,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but-when-something-sets-me-off-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-m-getting-better-at-avoiding-this-but-when-something-sets-me-off-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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
