--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had (and have?) this void, this cavern…" description: "\"“I had (and have?) this void, this cavern of loneliness inside me that I have spent my whole life trying to fill. I was willing to do most anything if ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b19/roxane-gay-520_belonged_i-had-and-have-this-void-this-cavern-of_2239491.png" --- # I had (and have?) this void, this cavern of loneliness… ![“I had (and have?) this void, this cavern of loneliness inside me that I have spent my whole life trying to fill. I was willing to do most anything if that boy would ease my loneliness, I wanted to feel like he and I belonged to each other, but each time we were together and then after, I felt…” quote by Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b19/roxane-gay-520_belonged_i-had-and-have-this-void-this-cavern-of_2239491.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b19/roxane-gay-520_belonged_i-had-and-have-this-void-this-cavern-of_2239491.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b19/roxane-gay-520_belonged_i-had-and-have-this-void-this-cavern-of_2239491.png) > ““I had (and have?) this void, this cavern of loneliness inside me that I have spent my whole life trying to fill. I was willing to do most anything if that boy would ease my loneliness, I wanted to feel like he and I belonged to each other, but each time we were together and then after, I felt quite the opposite. And still, I was drawn to him.”” [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She feels a deep loneliness that she tries to fill through a relationship, but it often leaves her feeling more isolated. **In simple terms:** Loneliness drives her to seek connection, yet it deepens her emptiness. Key Takeaway Seek self‑fulfillment before relying on others. Themes loneliness relationships identity desire Mood reflective melancholic Type literary personal When to use this quote - therapy - self‑exploration - healthy boundaries Key Concepts psychology emotional health romantic longing Questions to Reflect On - What internal needs remain unmet? - How can you nurture self‑love? A Different Perspective External validation may not resolve internal voids. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belonged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belonged/) [Cavern Loneliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cavern-loneliness-5071507/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Loneliness Inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loneliness-inside-3116143/) [Loneliness Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loneliness-wanted-248425/) [Wanted Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-feel/) [Whole life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-life/) ## Related quotes > [“I wanted to feel like he and I belonged to each other, but each time we were together and then after, I felt quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-wanted-to-feel-like-he-and-i-belonged-to-each-other-but-each-time/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [“I confided again that I wanted him, I wanted him to share my loneliness. I wanted him to share all that I could teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/i-confided-again-that-i-wanted-him-i-wanted-him-to-share-my/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [“Eating Out Alone" The loneliness inside me is a place, Harvard where no one might always be someone. When we're alone people we run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lowell/eating-out-alone-the-loneliness-inside-me-is-a-place-harvard-where-no/) [Robert Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lowell/) > [“Sometimes I think the loneliness inside of me is going to explode through my skin and sometimes im not sure if crying or screaming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/sometimes-i-think-the-loneliness-inside-of-me-is-going-to-explode-2/) [Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/) > [“That was bliss. Being cared for. Wanted. 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This was my way of communicating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-see-now-that-i-was-in-pain-and-wanted-others-to-feel-it-too-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“God, she wanted this. Wanted him. He made her feel wanted, needed. He lit fires inside her she hadn’t known could burn so fierce,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolyn-palliata/god-she-wanted-this-wanted-him-he-made-her-feel-wanted-needed-he-lit/) [Jolyn Palliata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolyn-palliata/) > [“You were just worried about me." An exhale, relieved that I'd understood. "Yeah." I turned. "Because you think I'm worth it." He put his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/you-were-just-worried-about-me-an-exhale-relieved-that-i-d-understood/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [“Awe. It’s a feeling he misses. 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