--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always thought I would move to New York…" description: "\"I always thought I would move to New York after graduation, but, instead, I moved to Los Angeles. I realized I was more scared of that choice than I wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/rory-o-malley-14799_choice_i-always-thought-i-would-move-to-new-yor_567010.jpg" --- # I always thought I would move to New York after… ![“I always thought I would move to New York after graduation, but, instead, I moved to Los Angeles. I realized I was more scared of that choice than I was of New York, and I thought, at 22, I should get it over with.” quote by Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/rory-o-malley-14799_choice_i-always-thought-i-would-move-to-new-yor_567010.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/rory-o-malley-14799_choice_i-always-thought-i-would-move-to-new-yor_567010.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/688/rory-o-malley-14799_choice_i-always-thought-i-would-move-to-new-yor_567010.jpg) > “I always thought I would move to New York after graduation, but, instead, I moved to Los Angeles. I realized I was more scared of that choice than I was of New York, and I thought, at 22, I should get it over with.” [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear of making a big decision can outweigh fear of the unknown, prompting premature choices. **In simple terms:** Fear of choice can drive early decisions. Key Takeaway Pause and evaluate options before acting. Themes decision‑making fear career planning Mood reflective motivational Type personal career When to use this quote - job offers - city moves - education choices - life transitions Key Concepts psychology risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from choosing deliberately? - How can you assess true fear versus excitement? A Different Perspective Rushing may lead to regret. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Graduation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graduation/) [Los angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/los-angeles/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) ## Related quotes > [You put Hillary Clinton up against Donald Trump, I'm scared of the choice no matter what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/you-put-hillary-clinton-up-against-donald-trump-i-m-scared-of-the/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [When we experience our fear, when we say the words "I am scared," we have the choice, the ability to acknowledge that being 'scared'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-michael-glaser/when-we-experience-our-fear-when-we-say-the-words-i-am-scared-we-have/) [Paul Michael Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-michael-glaser/) > [“The usual warmth of his hands wasn’t there. They chilled my skin as they slipped to my waist, and I realized he was scared.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-r-noble/the-usual-warmth-of-his-hands-wasn-t-there-they-chilled-my-skin-as/) [M. R. Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-r-noble/) > [I took my fear to literal heights and went skydiving over a year ago. It was in that moment, gazing over the precipice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/i-took-my-fear-to-literal-heights-and-went-skydiving-over-a-year-ago/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [When I first moved to Los Angeles I came down there on a wing and a prayer in a way. I had about six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/when-i-first-moved-to-los-angeles-i-came-down-there-on-a-wing-and-a/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I moved to Los Angeles in January 2004 because a buddy of mine, who I met at a friend's wedding, said he could get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-johnson/i-moved-to-los-angeles-in-january-2004-because-a-buddy-of-mine-who-i/) [Jake Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-johnson/) > [When I was 20, I picked up and left my entire family, who were in Ohio, and moved to Los Angeles on my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/when-i-was-20-i-picked-up-and-left-my-entire-family-who-were-in-ohio/) [Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/) > [My parents are from the Midwest. They're from Evanston, Illinois. They moved out to Los Angeles right before I was born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilmore/my-parents-are-from-the-midwest-they-re-from-evanston-illinois-they/) [Larry Wilmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilmore/) > [I'm Canadian - I came from a small island off Vancouver. I moved to Vancouver and a couple months later moved to Los Angeles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-sipos/i-m-canadian-i-came-from-a-small-island-off-vancouver-i-moved-to/) [Shaun Sipos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-sipos/) > [When I first moved to Los Angeles, I don't think anyone knew what to do with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-chastain/when-i-first-moved-to-los-angeles-i-don-t-think-anyone-knew-what-to/) [Jessica Chastain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-chastain/) > [I kept saying that I'd never live in L.A., and I didn't think I would. But that's where the work is, and I ended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cusack/i-kept-saying-that-i-d-never-live-in-l-a-and-i-didn-t-think-i-would/) [John Cusack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cusack/) > [When I moved to Los Angeles, right away I met all kinds of musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-right-away-i-met-all-kinds-of-musicians/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [When I first moved out to Los Angeles I was thinking, you know, I wanted to be an actor but I didn't really know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-biehn/when-i-first-moved-out-to-los-angeles-i-was-thinking-you-know-i/) [Michael Biehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-biehn/) > [I've called myself an actor - I won't say I've been an actor, but I've called myself an actor - since 1989. That's when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dean-morgan/i-ve-called-myself-an-actor-i-won-t-say-i-ve-been-an-actor-but-i-ve/) [Jeffrey Dean Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dean-morgan/) > [I got my first job when I moved to Los Angeles. I worked at a coffee shop for five years and it was one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-leclerc/i-got-my-first-job-when-i-moved-to-los-angeles-i-worked-at-a-coffee/) [Katie Leclerc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-leclerc/) ## More by Rory O'Malley > [As someone who was once in the closet, I can tell you it is the most sad, dark, awful, depressing place to ever be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/as-someone-who-was-once-in-the-closet-i-can-tell-you-it-is-the-most/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [We cannot give up on working toward that more perfect union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/we-cannot-give-up-on-working-toward-that-more-perfect-union/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [I spent a lot of my time, growing up, at the Beck Center. I'd be in plays there, and I'd get there an hour…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/i-spent-a-lot-of-my-time-growing-up-at-the-beck-center-i-d-be-in/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [I have a picture on my phone of me and Audra McDonald from when I went stage door-ing at 'Ragtime' in high school. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/i-have-a-picture-on-my-phone-of-me-and-audra-mcdonald-from-when-i/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [I think that, as an actor, you fight so hard to get work for years that when it actually comes, you just are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/i-think-that-as-an-actor-you-fight-so-hard-to-get-work-for-years-that/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [You can win your Oscar, and you still wake up trying to figure out how to get your next job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/you-can-win-your-oscar-and-you-still-wake-up-trying-to-figure-out-how/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [Every actor who's been around long enough knows that when something bad happens in this business, it's always for a reason. Really, the hardest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/every-actor-who-s-been-around-long-enough-knows-that-when-something/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence are such legends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/kelsey-grammer-and-martin-lawrence-are-such-legends/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [Mom was a single mother. So three aunts and three uncles and all of mom's friends pitched in as weekend warriors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/mom-was-a-single-mother-so-three-aunts-and-three-uncles-and-all-of/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [As a kid, I had nightmares about Freddy Krueger just from the trailers on TV!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/as-a-kid-i-had-nightmares-about-freddy-krueger-just-from-the-trailers/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [Being a kid and growing up in Cleveland, the Tonys were how you saw Broadway shows: you got to hear from each show, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/being-a-kid-and-growing-up-in-cleveland-the-tonys-were-how-you-saw/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [There comes a point when you have to be more than an actor, and doing something else that means a lot to me has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/there-comes-a-point-when-you-have-to-be-more-than-an-actor-and-doing/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [I love how passionate Elder McKinley is about his faith, but he's a perfectionist in a bad way... to the point he denies his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/i-love-how-passionate-elder-mckinley-is-about-his-faith-but-he-s-a/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [You put me in the room with my family and everyone I grew up with, and I'd be the last person that you'd say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/you-put-me-in-the-room-with-my-family-and-everyone-i-grew-up-with-and/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) > [With Irish drama, things are told with humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-o-malley/with-irish-drama-things-are-told-with-humor/) [Rory O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) [Explore all 45 Rory O'Malley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-o-malley/) ## More Choice quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“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/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) Randy C. Dockens > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always thought I would move to New York after graduation, but, instead, I moved to Los Angeles. 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