--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy…" description: "\"“Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy my brain on a daily basis: How many steps to take. How many hairbrush strokes. Making sure I line up my proofr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/514/s-walden-17742_quote_yes-these-are-the-thoughts-that-occupy-m_1075133.jpg" --- # Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy my brain on a… ![“Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy my brain on a daily basis: How many steps to take. How many hairbrush strokes. Making sure I line up my proofreading pens just so. Making sure my make-up is just so. Sitting in my fucking desk chair just so. It’s exhausting living a “just so” life. And I…” quote by S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/514/s-walden-17742_quote_yes-these-are-the-thoughts-that-occupy-m_1075133.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/514/s-walden-17742_quote_yes-these-are-the-thoughts-that-occupy-m_1075133.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/514/s-walden-17742_quote_yes-these-are-the-thoughts-that-occupy-m_1075133.jpg) > ““Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy my brain on a daily basis: How many steps to take. How many hairbrush strokes. Making sure I line up my proofreading pens just so. Making sure my make-up is just so. Sitting in my fucking desk chair just so. It’s exhausting living a “just so” life. And I don’t want to do it, but the idea of not counting, not arranging, not tic-ing sends my heart reeling with anxiety.”” [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obsessive attention to minute details creates constant stress and a feeling of being trapped in a perfectionist routine. **In simple terms:** Over‑detail leads to anxiety. Key Takeaway Practice letting go of minor imperfections. Themes perfectionism anxiety routine self‑critique Mood tired frustrated reflective Type self‑help psychological When to use this quote - daily work tasks - personal grooming - creative projects - office environment Key Concepts mindfulness self‑compassion boundaries Questions to Reflect On - Which small habit could you relax today? - How does letting go affect your stress levels? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can hinder productivity and well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arranging Tic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arranging-tic-2698913/) [Brain Daily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain-daily-2698912/) [Exhausting Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhausting-living-2698911/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [Thoughts Occupy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-occupy-1522547/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [The world intrudes in my brain daily. Since my brain is dripping with all kinds of stuff that's out there in the world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bogosian/the-world-intrudes-in-my-brain-daily-since-my-brain-is-dripping-with/) [Eric Bogosian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bogosian/) > [“You’re tired of hearing about racism? Imagine how fucking exhausting it is living it.” ~ Jon Stewart”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-smith/you-re-tired-of-hearing-about-racism-imagine-how-fucking-exhausting/) [Chris Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-smith/) > [“Race is there. You're tire of hearing about it? Imagine how fucking exhausting it is living it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/race-is-there-you-re-tire-of-hearing-about-it-imagine-how-fucking/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [“All day long the thoughts that occupy your mind, your Secret Place, as Jesus calls it, are moulding your destiny for good or evil;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-fox/all-day-long-the-thoughts-that-occupy-your-mind-your-secret-place-as-2/) [Emmet Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-fox/) > [“The only way that we can change our feelings is by changing our core beliefs and the thoughts that occupy our minds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elyse-m-fitzpatrick/the-only-way-that-we-can-change-our-feelings-is-by-changing-our-core/) [Elyse M. Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elyse-m-fitzpatrick/) > [All day long the thoughts that occupy your mind, your Secret Place, as Jesus calls it, are moulding your destiny for good or evil;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmet-fox/all-day-long-the-thoughts-that-occupy-your-mind-your-secret-place-as/) [Emmet Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmet-fox/) > [Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts. It is an adventure, a storybook with each chapter a new tale. An unknown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allie-mclaughlin/our-life-always-expresses-the-result-of-our-dominant-thoughts-it-is/) [Allie McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allie-mclaughlin/) > [Fill your minds with thoughts that will make you smile each time you remember them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/fill-your-minds-with-thoughts-that-will-make-you-smile-each-time-you/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [“Whenever we think, we construct a world that is centred upon the object of our thinking; whenever we act, we reconstruct a world that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/whenever-we-think-we-construct-a-world-that-is-centred-upon-the/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [I keep my thoughts to myself, and I think that's one of the best ways to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tito-jackson/i-keep-my-thoughts-to-myself-and-i-think-that-s-one-of-the-best-ways/) [Tito Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tito-jackson/) > [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“He who is mindless is defenceless” RjS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/he-who-is-mindless-is-defenceless-rjs/) [rassool jibraeel snyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## More by S. Walden > [“I don't know. It's the world we live in, I guess. Some things will never be fair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-don-t-know-it-s-the-world-we-live-in-i-guess-some-things-will-never/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Oil paints were wiser to the human condition, understanding our imperfections and giving us enough time to rework ourselves until we made things right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/oil-paints-were-wiser-to-the-human-condition-understanding-our/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I thought if I stared a little longer I could see right inside his head, to his brain, and I don’t know why that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-thought-if-i-stared-a-little-longer-i-could-see-right-inside-his/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I expect the world from you, as I should, because you’re amazing and talented and funny and sweet. You’re sexy as hell and clever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-expect-the-world-from-you-as-i-should-because-you-re-amazing-and/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“You know what I mean,” I said. “You want to be the mother who all the other mothers gossip about? Like about how bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/you-know-what-i-mean-i-said-you-want-to-be-the-mother-who-all-the/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“She danced with complete abandon. She never felt so light and free. She could stretch her arms forever, touch the heavens and pull down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/she-danced-with-complete-abandon-she-never-felt-so-light-and-free-she/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“He wanted into her life. He was dying to be invited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/he-wanted-into-her-life-he-was-dying-to-be-invited/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Well that was decided. This was more than a silly schoolgirl crush. This was a deeply disturbing infatuation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/well-that-was-decided-this-was-more-than-a-silly-schoolgirl-crush/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I knew life moments happened that way. They made no sense, and I didn’t think we were supposed to make them. I think we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-knew-life-moments-happened-that-way-they-made-no-sense-and-i-didn-t/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“It’s always described as melting, and I finally understood why. I thought my body was turning to liquid. I could feel my bones giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/it-s-always-described-as-melting-and-i-finally-understood-why-i/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“I realized I needed to look at evil in an entirely new light. Most bad guys weren’t running around with eyes bugged out. Most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/i-realized-i-needed-to-look-at-evil-in-an-entirely-new-light-most-bad/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Love is when you're with someone and you never check the time because for you, time doesn't exist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/love-is-when-you-re-with-someone-and-you-never-check-the-time-because/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“People grow and change. You have to choose to grow and change together. It doesn't mean the feeling isn't still there. You just have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/people-grow-and-change-you-have-to-choose-to-grow-and-change-together/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“Jesus Christ . . .” And I never say “Jesus Christ.” “No, Cadence. My name is Mark Connelly. And I’m about to give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/jesus-christ-and-i-never-say-jesus-christ-no-cadence-my-name-is-mark/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) > [“The first contact of brush on canvas is a heady thing. I think it's the promise of something wonderful, beautiful. You can see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-walden/the-first-contact-of-brush-on-canvas-is-a-heady-thing-i-think-it-s/) [S. Walden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) [Explore all 36 S. Walden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-walden/) ## More Thoughts quotes > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [“He who is mindless is defenceless” RjS”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/he-who-is-mindless-is-defenceless-rjs/) [rassool jibraeel snyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [I keep my thoughts to myself, and I think that's one of the best ways to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tito-jackson/i-keep-my-thoughts-to-myself-and-i-think-that-s-one-of-the-best-ways/) [Tito Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tito-jackson/) > [“Whenever we think, we construct a world that is centred upon the object of our thinking; whenever we act, we reconstruct a world that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/whenever-we-think-we-construct-a-world-that-is-centred-upon-the/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [Fill your minds with thoughts that will make you smile each time you remember them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/fill-your-minds-with-thoughts-that-will-make-you-smile-each-time-you/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [All that we are is the result of what we have thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-that-we-are-is-the-result-of-what-we-have-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As people who know me know, probably to a fault, I am usually not without thoughts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/as-people-who-know-me-know-probably-to-a-fault-i-am-usually-not/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [You are the one who calls the law of attraction into action, and you do it through your thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/you-are-the-one-who-calls-the-law-of-attraction-into-action-and-you/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [I know a lot of people that have had fake Twitters... actors and musicians that I know. It's sort of a problem. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/i-know-a-lot-of-people-that-have-had-fake-twitters-actors-and/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [You bring out a lot of your own thoughts and attitudes when acting. I think a great deal of it has to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-rogers/you-bring-out-a-lot-of-your-own-thoughts-and-attitudes-when-acting-i/) [Ginger Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-rogers/) > [Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don't live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don't be an automaton.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cash-penney/determine-to-do-some-thinking-for-yourself-don-t-live-entirely-upon/) [James Cash Penney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cash-penney/) [Browse all 4,325 Thoughts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Yes, these are the thoughts that occupy my brain on a daily basis: How many steps to take. How many hairbrush strokes. Making sure I line up my proofreading pens just so. Making sure my make-up is just so. Sitting in my fucking desk chair just so. It’s exhausting living a “just so” life. And I don’t want to do it, but the idea of not counting, not arranging, not tic-ing sends my heart reeling with anxiety.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "S. 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