---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The potential we squander by picking our…"
description: "\"“The potential we squander by picking our bodies to pieces is catastrophic.”\" — Sarah Hays Coomer"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg"
---

#  The potential we squander by picking our bodies to pieces…

![“The potential we squander by picking our bodies to pieces is catastrophic.” quote by Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg)

> ““The potential we squander by picking our bodies to pieces is catastrophic.””

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Neglecting health by obsessively dissecting our bodies leads to disaster.

**In simple terms:** Body‑obsession harms health.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize holistic health over fixation.

Themes

health self‑image self‑criticism

Mood

cautionary educational concerned

Type

health self‑help wellness

When to use this quote

- fitness planning
- medical check‑ups
- mental health counseling

Key Concepts

psychology well‑being

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance self‑care and self‑critique?
- What habits protect your body?

A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex health issues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bodies Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bodies-pieces-1238025/) [Body image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-image/) [Body love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-love/) [Body-care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-care-22039/) [Catastrophic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/catastrophic/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Feminism-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism-quotes/) [Health and wellness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-and-wellness/) [Picking Bodies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picking-bodies-1238026/) [Pieces Catastrophic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pieces-catastrophic-1238024/) [Self love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-love/) [Squander Picking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/squander-picking-1238027/) [Wellness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellness/) [Wellness-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellness-quotes/) [Wellness-that-works](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellness-that-works/)

## Related quotes

> [“Before we can make seismic professional, economic, and sociological changes, we have to squeeze out of our Spanx and remember how it feels to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/before-we-can-make-seismic-professional-economic-and-sociological/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Patience is not a lack of action. It’s a tactical technique.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/patience-is-not-a-lack-of-action-it-s-a-tactical-technique/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Each step and every healthy bite takes us closer to well-being, closer to raw, unrepentant liberty at home, at work, in our neighborhoods, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/each-step-and-every-healthy-bite-takes-us-closer-to-well-being-closer/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“We need to listen for distress signals from our own bodies, as well as from those around us, and have systems in place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-need-to-listen-for-distress-signals-from-our-own-bodies-as-well-as/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“When we find new, powerful, healthy ways to be in our bodies — large or small — WE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FREE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/when-we-find-new-powerful-healthy-ways-to-be-in-our-bodies-large-or/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“ We can turn off the twenty-four-hour coverage and take a walk and a deep breath and return home to wrap our arms around our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-can-turn-off-the-twenty-four-hour-coverage-and-take-a-walk-and-a/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“WE CAN’T BE GOOD CARETAKERS, LEADERS, OR MENTORS FOR EACH OTHER IF WE CAN’T BREATHE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-can-t-be-good-caretakers-leaders-or-mentors-for-each-other-if-we/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [Both of us will die today, gunned down or smashed up or exploded in some terrible moment of fire and twisted metal, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/both-of-us-will-die-today-gunned-down-or-smashed-up-or-exploded-in/)

[Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/)

> [“We can't deny the suffering that comes with loss, but we can bend with the pain, arch our backs, and return to standing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-can-t-deny-the-suffering-that-comes-with-loss-but-we-can-bend-with/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“With our physical bodies at ease, we are better able to serve, to function, and to show up when we are needed, fists raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/with-our-physical-bodies-at-ease-we-are-better-able-to-serve-to-2/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“With our physical bodies at ease, we are better able to serve, to function, and to show up when we are needed, fists raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/with-our-physical-bodies-at-ease-we-are-better-able-to-serve-to/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Our bodies are everything. They are the tools our mothers and their mothers used to end wars. Women have used their bodies to demand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/our-bodies-are-everything-they-are-the-tools-our-mothers-and-their/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Following the 'rules' of fashion... binds our bodies. It knits our legs together and prevents us from taking up space. It compels us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/following-the-rules-of-fashion-binds-our-bodies-it-knits-our-legs/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“The choice to be in our bodies without shame is the most important thing each of us can do to facilitate being feminists, caretakers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/the-choice-to-be-in-our-bodies-without-shame-is-the-most-important/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“No more starving. No more challenges. No more fasts. No more pills. Food is not the enemy, and fighting it is making us sick.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/no-more-starving-no-more-challenges-no-more-fasts-no-more-pills-food/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

## More by Sarah Hays Coomer

> [“Before we can make seismic professional, economic, and sociological changes, we have to squeeze out of our Spanx and remember how it feels to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/before-we-can-make-seismic-professional-economic-and-sociological/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“With our physical bodies at ease, we are better able to serve, to function, and to show up when we are needed, fists raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/with-our-physical-bodies-at-ease-we-are-better-able-to-serve-to/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Our bodies are everything. They are the tools our mothers and their mothers used to end wars. Women have used their bodies to demand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/our-bodies-are-everything-they-are-the-tools-our-mothers-and-their/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“WE CAN’T BE GOOD CARETAKERS, LEADERS, OR MENTORS FOR EACH OTHER IF WE CAN’T BREATHE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-can-t-be-good-caretakers-leaders-or-mentors-for-each-other-if-we/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“When we find new, powerful, healthy ways to be in our bodies — large or small — WE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FREE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/when-we-find-new-powerful-healthy-ways-to-be-in-our-bodies-large-or/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“No more starving. No more challenges. No more fasts. No more pills. Food is not the enemy, and fighting it is making us sick.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/no-more-starving-no-more-challenges-no-more-fasts-no-more-pills-food/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“The choice to be in our bodies without shame is the most important thing each of us can do to facilitate being feminists, caretakers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/the-choice-to-be-in-our-bodies-without-shame-is-the-most-important/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“We need to listen for distress signals from our own bodies, as well as from those around us, and have systems in place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-need-to-listen-for-distress-signals-from-our-own-bodies-as-well-as/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“You can’t strangle stress to death. You can try, but all that effort only increases its ferocity until it shatters your ability to contain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/you-can-t-strangle-stress-to-death-you-can-try-but-all-that-effort/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Following the 'rules' of fashion... binds our bodies. It knits our legs together and prevents us from taking up space. It compels us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/following-the-rules-of-fashion-binds-our-bodies-it-knits-our-legs/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“You don’t even have to lift your head from between your knees to take a breath, and you know you can manage that much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/you-don-t-even-have-to-lift-your-head-from-between-your-knees-to-take/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Each step and every healthy bite takes us closer to well-being, closer to raw, unrepentant liberty at home, at work, in our neighborhoods, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/each-step-and-every-healthy-bite-takes-us-closer-to-well-being-closer/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Patience is not a lack of action. It’s a tactical technique.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/patience-is-not-a-lack-of-action-it-s-a-tactical-technique/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“With our physical bodies at ease, we are better able to serve, to function, and to show up when we are needed, fists raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/with-our-physical-bodies-at-ease-we-are-better-able-to-serve-to-2/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Breath puts a sliver of light between impact and reflex. That’s the endgame of all that meditation-breathing stuff: interrupting knee-jerk impulsivity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/breath-puts-a-sliver-of-light-between-impact-and-reflex-that-s-the/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

[Explore all 18 Sarah Hays Coomer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

## More Body-care quotes

> [“Before we can make seismic professional, economic, and sociological changes, we have to squeeze out of our Spanx and remember how it feels to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/before-we-can-make-seismic-professional-economic-and-sociological/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“WE CAN’T BE GOOD CARETAKERS, LEADERS, OR MENTORS FOR EACH OTHER IF WE CAN’T BREATHE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-can-t-be-good-caretakers-leaders-or-mentors-for-each-other-if-we/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“When we find new, powerful, healthy ways to be in our bodies — large or small — WE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FREE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/when-we-find-new-powerful-healthy-ways-to-be-in-our-bodies-large-or/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“We need to listen for distress signals from our own bodies, as well as from those around us, and have systems in place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-need-to-listen-for-distress-signals-from-our-own-bodies-as-well-as/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Each step and every healthy bite takes us closer to well-being, closer to raw, unrepentant liberty at home, at work, in our neighborhoods, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/each-step-and-every-healthy-bite-takes-us-closer-to-well-being-closer/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“Patience is not a lack of action. It’s a tactical technique.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/patience-is-not-a-lack-of-action-it-s-a-tactical-technique/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [“ We can turn off the twenty-four-hour coverage and take a walk and a deep breath and return home to wrap our arms around our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/we-can-turn-off-the-twenty-four-hour-coverage-and-take-a-walk-and-a/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

[Browse all 8 Body-care quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-care-22039/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The potential we squander by picking our bodies to pieces is catastrophic.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sarah Hays Coomer"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our-bodies-to-pieces-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Body-care"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our-bodies-to-pieces-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/sarah-hays-coomer-29014_body-care_the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our_1710024.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The potential we squander by picking our bodies to pieces is catastrophic.” — Sarah Hays Coomer",
                "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": "Sarah Hays Coomer",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The potential we squander by picking...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our-bodies-to-pieces-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/the-potential-we-squander-by-picking-our-bodies-to-pieces-is/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
