--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just did what I did and I still am. It…" description: "\"I just did what I did and I still am. It makes you unpopular, maybe for a lifetime, but I'd rather do that than be popular and doubt what I am.\" — Robe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg" --- # I just did what I did and I still am. It makes you… ![“I just did what I did and I still am. It makes you unpopular, maybe for a lifetime, but I'd rather do that than be popular and doubt what I am.” quote by Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg) > “I just did what I did and I still am. It makes you unpopular, maybe for a lifetime, but I'd rather do that than be popular and doubt what I am.” [Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) ## 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 values authenticity over social approval, choosing to stay true to themselves despite potential unpopularity. **In simple terms:** Being true to yourself is more important than being liked. Key Takeaway Choose authenticity over approval. Themes authenticity integrity individualism Mood defiant reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal decisions - career choices - public statements - relationships Key Concepts self‑identity social pressure Questions to Reflect On - What would you sacrifice to stay authentic? - How does fear of unpopularity affect your choices? A Different Perspective Sticking to authenticity can limit opportunities and invite criticism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Lifetime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifetime/) ## Related quotes > [I've had strong opinions probably since I was born. It makes you unpopular, but what can you do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-watson/i-ve-had-strong-opinions-probably-since-i-was-born-it-makes-you/) [James D. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-watson/) > [I HATE HALLOWEEN. This makes me VERY unpopular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-zucker/i-hate-halloween-this-makes-me-very-unpopular/) [Rachel Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-zucker/) > [When Reagan left office, he was the most unpopular living president, apart from Nixon, even below Carter. If you look at his years in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/when-reagan-left-office-he-was-the-most-unpopular-living-president/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [A president can be unpopular for good reasons. You know, I'm not always on the side that the people are right, for God's sake.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/a-president-can-be-unpopular-for-good-reasons-you-know-i-m-not-always/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [A society in which people feel they have a legitimate right to stop someone expressing their views on campus simply because they are unfashionable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-gyimah/a-society-in-which-people-feel-they-have-a-legitimate-right-to-stop/) [Sam Gyimah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-gyimah/) > [“I don't usually read popular books. Because I know how powerful promotion can be. Most of the time, the great books are hidden from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/i-don-t-usually-read-popular-books-because-i-know-how-powerful/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [I make unpopular versions of popular things. I make a horror film and it's not a horror film. None of my genre movies function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-harron/i-make-unpopular-versions-of-popular-things-i-make-a-horror-film-and/) [Mary Harron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-harron/) > [Without question the most unpopular medium of musical sound in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/without-question-the-most-unpopular-medium-of-musical-sound-in-the/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [I figured it is always better to be unpopular by your own choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-upton/i-figured-it-is-always-better-to-be-unpopular-by-your-own-choice/) [Tom Upton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-upton/) > [Trump in particular was such an unpopular candidate, because he's so anti communities of color, and we're a minority majority state, are you kidding?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-lujan-grisham/trump-in-particular-was-such-an-unpopular-candidate-because-he-s-so/) [Michelle Lujan Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-lujan-grisham/) > [The more unpopular politicians are, the better people think it is to have a monarchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-bradford/the-more-unpopular-politicians-are-the-better-people-think-it-is-to/) [Sarah Bradford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-bradford/) > [I am not concerned about getting reelected. I can make the unpopular but necessary decision. Your focus from day one is on your legacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benigno-aquino-iii/i-am-not-concerned-about-getting-reelected-i-can-make-the-unpopular/) [Benigno Aquino III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benigno-aquino-iii/) > [I think that people who stand up for what they believe in, no matter how unpopular, should be celebrated, not cast aside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-lancaster/i-think-that-people-who-stand-up-for-what-they-believe-in-no-matter/) [Craig Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-lancaster/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and defy the clamor of the multitude are not fit to be ministers in time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/people-who-are-not-prepared-to-do-unpopular-things-and-defy-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More by Robert Barnes > [What I am telling you is that Matta had a way of making you feel comfortable and that's probably why he had nine wives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/what-i-am-telling-you-is-that-matta-had-a-way-of-making-you-feel/) [Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) > [When I was a young man, I was overly sensitive to things, and I found it difficult to eat when I was nervous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/when-i-was-a-young-man-i-was-overly-sensitive-to-things-and-i-found/) [Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) > [I don't know if you've noticed it. But Duchamp was magnificent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/i-don-t-know-if-you-ve-noticed-it-but-duchamp-was-magnificent/) [Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) > [But the whole idea of the transformation... mystery, transformation, and manipulations - those were the things that Marcel was a magician at. That's his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/but-the-whole-idea-of-the-transformation-mystery-transformation-and/) [Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) > [It was terrible on dates, because I could never eat when I was on a date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/it-was-terrible-on-dates-because-i-could-never-eat-when-i-was-on-a/) [Robert Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) [Explore all 6 Robert Barnes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) Darlene Senger > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I just did what I did and I still am. It makes you unpopular, maybe for a lifetime, but I'd rather do that than be popular and doubt what I am.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Barnes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it-makes-you-unpopular-maybe-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Am" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it-makes-you-unpopular-maybe-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/robert-barnes-54723_am_i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it_2575924.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I just did what I did and I still am. It makes you unpopular, maybe for a lifetime, but I'd rather do that…” — Robert Barnes", "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": "Robert Barnes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barnes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I just did what I did...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it-makes-you-unpopular-maybe-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barnes/i-just-did-what-i-did-and-i-still-am-it-makes-you-unpopular-maybe-for/#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 } } ] } ```