--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think you only really feel like an…" description: "\"I think you only really feel like an outsider if you've been an insider.\" — Sade Adu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg" --- # I think you only really feel like an outsider if you've… ![“I think you only really feel like an outsider if you've been an insider.” quote by Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg) > “I think you only really feel like an outsider if you've been an insider.” [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Feeling like an outsider often stems from having previously been an insider, revealing how past inclusion shapes current perception. **In simple terms:** Insider experience can make outsider feelings stronger. Key Takeaway Recognize past roles to understand current feelings. Themes identity belonging perspective Mood reflective thoughtful Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - career transition - new community - social anxiety - team dynamics Key Concepts social psychology self-concept Questions to Reflect On - How does past inclusion affect current alienation? - Can you reframe outsider feelings as growth? A Different Perspective Insider experience may not always translate to outsider feelings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Outsider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsider/) [Outsiders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outsiders/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I've always felt myself to be an outsider. I've always felt awkward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-paxman/i-ve-always-felt-myself-to-be-an-outsider-i-ve-always-felt-awkward/) [Jeremy Paxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-paxman/) > [My natural state is an outsider. I've always felt outside the group, and I've always been analyzing the group.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-burry/my-natural-state-is-an-outsider-i-ve-always-felt-outside-the-group/) [Michael Burry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-burry/) > [At some point in our lives there's something about every one of us that makes us feel like an outsider, I believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-bass/at-some-point-in-our-lives-there-s-something-about-every-one-of-us/) [Lance Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-bass/) > [When you feel like an outsider - for whatever reason - you spend a lot of time alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/when-you-feel-like-an-outsider-for-whatever-reason-you-spend-a-lot-of/) [Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/) > [I've always felt like such an outsider in this industry. Because I'm so insane I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-ve-always-felt-like-such-an-outsider-in-this-industry-because-i-m/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [I always felt like an outsider growing up. In school, I felt like I never fit in. But it didn't help when my mother,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/i-always-felt-like-an-outsider-growing-up-in-school-i-felt-like-i/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [I always felt like an outsider to the music world in a certain way. There was so much less of an art culture in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-gordon/i-always-felt-like-an-outsider-to-the-music-world-in-a-certain-way/) [Kim Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-gordon/) > [I've always felt like an outsider across the board, since day one. The challenge has been to simply not pay attention to my outsider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-ve-always-felt-like-an-outsider-across-the-board-since-day-one-the/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [As a kid I just felt like an outsider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/as-a-kid-i-just-felt-like-an-outsider/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I've always straddled a weird line - there's a lot of mainstream stuff that I love. At the same, I still feel like an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zooey-deschanel/i-ve-always-straddled-a-weird-line-there-s-a-lot-of-mainstream-stuff/) [Zooey Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zooey-deschanel/) > [I've felt like an outsider all my life. It comes from my mother, who always felt like an outsider in my father's family. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/i-ve-felt-like-an-outsider-all-my-life-it-comes-from-my-mother-who/) [Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/) > [Comedy is a reaction to the world, and I think it really helps to be an outsider. I've always been very interested in people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriana-trigiani/comedy-is-a-reaction-to-the-world-and-i-think-it-really-helps-to-be/) [Adriana Trigiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriana-trigiani/) > [I've always been an outsider. I've always been attracted to roles that would challenge me and that wouldn't come around very often.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliette-lewis/i-ve-always-been-an-outsider-i-ve-always-been-attracted-to-roles-that/) [Juliette Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliette-lewis/) > [I was a total fashion insider who became an outsider when I did bridal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-wang/i-was-a-total-fashion-insider-who-became-an-outsider-when-i-did-bridal/) [Vera Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-wang/) > [It is okay to be an outsider, a recent arrival, new on the scene - and not just okay, but something to be thankful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-le/it-is-okay-to-be-an-outsider-a-recent-arrival-new-on-the-scene-and/) [Tan Le](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-le/) ## More by Sade Adu > [All the cliches of glamorous sophistication have little appeal to me. Do I want to live the British version of 'Dynasty?' No thanks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/all-the-cliches-of-glamorous-sophistication-have-little-appeal-to-me/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [My musical career was an accident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/my-musical-career-was-an-accident/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [To be a mother you must be strong. Even if you don't feel it, you have to pretend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/to-be-a-mother-you-must-be-strong-even-if-you-don-t-feel-it-you-have/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [People are so used to having their lives filmed, they're not even conscious of having cameras around. I still have that sort of suspicion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/people-are-so-used-to-having-their-lives-filmed-they-re-not-even/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I always see myself as much more of a musician than a celebrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-always-see-myself-as-much-more-of-a-musician-than-a-celebrity/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I'm uneasy with fame so I do my best to avoid places that will bring me more attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-m-uneasy-with-fame-so-i-do-my-best-to-avoid-places-that-will-bring/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [When I go into the studio, I completely detach. I let my emotions come out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/when-i-go-into-the-studio-i-completely-detach-i-let-my-emotions-come/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [People generally let me be me. People are aware that I'm not someone particularly begging for attention. They hold back a bit with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/people-generally-let-me-be-me-people-are-aware-that-i-m-not-someone/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I've got absolutely no real perception, properly, of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-ve-got-absolutely-no-real-perception-properly-of-time/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I can't see myself just endlessly singing the same songs over and over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-can-t-see-myself-just-endlessly-singing-the-same-songs-over-and/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [There isn't a class structure in Nigeria; there's a tribal structure and prestige as far as money is concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/there-isn-t-a-class-structure-in-nigeria-there-s-a-tribal-structure/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [Move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/move-in-space-with-minimum-waste-and-maximum-joy/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [The anxiety I feel when I'm late is nothing like the anxiety I feel when I'm on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/the-anxiety-i-feel-when-i-m-late-is-nothing-like-the-anxiety-i-feel/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [I'm not anti-fashion, but I've always had a bit of a punk attitude. That's important, I think. I do my own thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-m-not-anti-fashion-but-i-ve-always-had-a-bit-of-a-punk-attitude/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [From being at art college, I've always hated people that have the gall to think that they're being incredibly different when they're doing something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/from-being-at-art-college-i-ve-always-hated-people-that-have-the-gall/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) [Explore all 43 Sade Adu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) ## More Feels quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/) [Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/) > [Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/pain-is-meant-to-wake-us-up-people-try-to-hide-their-pain-but-they-re/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [Most days, I go home and I feel rejuvenated. I feel ebullient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/most-days-i-go-home-and-i-feel-rejuvenated-i-feel-ebullient/) [Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/) > [Do you think that God would separate me from my husband if I killed myself? I feel as though I am going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-think-that-god-would-separate-me-from-my-husband-if-i-killed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [(knitting while on a motorcycle) "For several years she knitted in secret (my father would not approve; she was to concentrate on motorcycling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-zimmermann/knitting-while-on-a-motorcycle-for-several-years-she-knitted-in/) [Elizabeth Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-zimmermann/) > [Then come to realize that you're making mountains out of molehills. Realize how petty you've become. Sure, it may feel like you can't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/then-come-to-realize-that-you-re-making-mountains-out-of-molehills/) [Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/) > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [I feel like I could eat the world raw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-miller/i-feel-like-i-could-eat-the-world-raw/) [Madeline Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-miller/) Browse all 38,933 Feels quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think you only really feel like an outsider if you've been an insider.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sade Adu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-outsider-if-you-ve-been-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Feels" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-outsider-if-you-ve-been-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fe/sade-adu-15455_feels_i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-out_859680.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think you only really feel like an outsider if you've been an insider.” — Sade Adu", "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": "Sade Adu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think you only really feel...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-outsider-if-you-ve-been-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/i-think-you-only-really-feel-like-an-outsider-if-you-ve-been-an/#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 } } ] } ```