Dad died Quote by Sarah Dessen
““When my dad died, it was like everything felt really shaky, you know? And trying to be the best I could be, it gave me something to focus on. If I could just do everything right, then I was safe.' I couldn't believe I was saying this, not ere, at a party packed with classates and strangers. In fact, I couldn't imagine saying it anywhere, really, except in my own head where it somehow made sense. 'That sucks, though,' Wes said finally, his voice low. 'You're jsut setting yourself up to fail, because you'll never get everything perfect.' 'Says who?' He just looked at me. 'The world,' he said, gsturing all around us, as if the party, the deck encompassed it all. 'The universe. There's just no way.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Truth About Forever, 2008
Grief pushes the narrator to seek perfection for safety, but perfection is unattainable and harmful.
In simple terms: Grief leads to perfectionism.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection, heal gradually.
Themes
grief
perfectionism
self‑worth
Mood
sad
hopeful
introspective
Type
fiction
self‑help
emotional
When to use this quote
- family loss
- social events
- personal growth
- mental health
Key Concepts
psychology
coming‑of‑age
Questions to Reflect On
- What does safety mean to you?
- How can you balance effort and acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism can cause more pain than protection.
