--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never mind that for a while, she had felt…" description: "\"“Never mind that for a while, she had felt like one of their own—felt, for the first time in a long, long while, like she had a place where she belonge..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/sarah-j-maas-58_first-time_never-mind-that-for-a-while-she-had-felt_2290218.jpg" --- # Never mind that for a while, she had felt like one of… ![“Never mind that for a while, she had felt like one of their own—felt, for the first time in a long, long while, like she had a place where she belonged. Where she might learn something more than deceit and how to end lives. But she’d been wrong. Somehow, realizing that hurt far worse than the…” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/sarah-j-maas-58_first-time_never-mind-that-for-a-while-she-had-felt_2290218.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/sarah-j-maas-58_first-time_never-mind-that-for-a-while-she-had-felt_2290218.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/501/sarah-j-maas-58_first-time_never-mind-that-for-a-while-she-had-felt_2290218.jpg) > ““Never mind that for a while, she had felt like one of their own—felt, for the first time in a long, long while, like she had a place where she belonged. Where she might learn something more than deceit and how to end lives. But she’d been wrong. Somehow, realizing that hurt far worse than the beating Arobynn had given her. Her lips trembled, but she squared her shoulders and scanned the night sky until she found the Stag and the crowning star that led north. Sighing, Celaena blew out the lantern, mounted Kasida, and rode into the night.”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A heroine discovers belonging, learns beyond deceit, and chooses a path guided by inner resolve despite past trauma. **In simple terms:** She finds purpose and direction after realizing true hurt. Key Takeaway Seek purpose beyond past pain. Themes belonging identity choice resilience Mood determined reflective Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - joining a group - learning new skills - making moral decisions - overcoming trauma Key Concepts self‑discovery heroic journey morality Questions to Reflect On - What does belonging mean to you? - How do you confront past hurt? A Different Perspective The quote romanticizes danger as a path to self‑knowledge, which may be unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Celaena Blew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celaena-blew-5378042/) [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Lips Trembled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips-trembled-1992152/) [Long Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-long/) [Night sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-sky/) [Place Belonged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place-belonged-834583/) [Realizing Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing-hurt-3273749/) [Sighing Celaena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sighing-celaena-3659501/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Sighing, Celaena unlocked the door and walked into the apartment. Arobynn Hamel was sitting on the couch. “Hello, darling,” he said, and smiled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/sighing-celaena-unlocked-the-door-and-walked-into-the-apartment/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Nothing hurts more than realizing you hurt the one you care most about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nothing-hurts-more-than-realizing-you-hurt-the-one-you-care-most-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The first time that I stepped onto a stage, it was life-changing. For once, I felt comfortable and in a place where I belonged.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shanice-williams/the-first-time-that-i-stepped-onto-a-stage-it-was-life-changing-for/) [Shanice Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shanice-williams/) > [“He thought of such places in a way that had no words, only recognizing one when he came to it. He might have called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/he-thought-of-such-places-in-a-way-that-had-no-words-only-recognizing/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Every piece had a place where it belonged, and a pawn could not fill the space designed for a queen. He”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/every-piece-had-a-place-where-it-belonged-and-a-pawn-could-not-fill/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“I hurt myself,” Syren bit out. “I make myself bleed and it feels good. It eases the pressure inside me, but it never lasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avril-ashton/i-hurt-myself-syren-bit-out-i-make-myself-bleed-and-it-feels-good-it/) [Avril Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avril-ashton/) > [“The dirt and plants were my happy place, the one place where I belonged. When I worked with soil and flowers I was neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-grover-swank/the-dirt-and-plants-were-my-happy-place-the-one-place-where-i/) [Denise Grover Swank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-grover-swank/) > [“You think I don't know what you're doing? This is a typical guy stunt. Protect the helpless female, lead the bad guy away and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-shayne/you-think-i-don-t-know-what-you-re-doing-this-is-a-typical-guy-stunt/) [Maggie Shayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-shayne/) > [“I was a southern girl. We were all born to go to heaven, even if it was the last place I belonged.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessandra-torre/i-was-a-southern-girl-we-were-all-born-to-go-to-heaven-even-if-it-was/) [Alessandra Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessandra-torre/) > [“You will always be my world.” His lips trembled as he said the words, and her tears fell. Then he’d kissed her again and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-finn/you-will-always-be-my-world-his-lips-trembled-as-he-said-the-words/) [Elizabeth Finn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-finn/) > [“They had a place where they belonged, and, even if it was because he didn't want to deal with their being different, he didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/they-had-a-place-where-they-belonged-and-even-if-it-was-because-he/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [“He barely heard the gasp escape her lips, but he did see her brilliant brown eyes, how they danced with alarm at his presence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-parris/he-barely-heard-the-gasp-escape-her-lips-but-he-did-see-her-brilliant/) [S.C. Parris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-parris/) > [If I ever found a place where I belonged, that in itself would be an identity crisis to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitski/if-i-ever-found-a-place-where-i-belonged-that-in-itself-would-be-an/) [Mitski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitski/) > [“Anna had been preparing herself for this meeting, had thought what she would say to him, but she did not succeed in saying anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/anna-had-been-preparing-herself-for-this-meeting-had-thought-what-she/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“Friends could just be the opening bid,” she whispered, feeling the heat rush into her cheeks. It felt forward to say the words, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-regnery/friends-could-just-be-the-opening-bid-she-whispered-feeling-the-heat/) [Katy Regnery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-regnery/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. 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The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More First time quotes > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [“I’m so stressed that a weird Olympic-style commentary starts up in my head. 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And for the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/i-m-waiting-for-you-he-murmured-smiling-a-slow-familiar-grin-that/) [Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/) > [“Treat every natural beauty you met as if you see them for the first and last time!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/treat-every-natural-beauty-you-met-as-if-you-see-them-for-the-first/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“I won’t break your heart. For the first time in my life, I’ve found something worth fighting for, someone more important than me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelle-bliss/i-won-t-break-your-heart-for-the-first-time-in-my-life-i-ve-found/) [Chelle Bliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelle-bliss/) > [Life is like a parachute jump: you have to get it right the first time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/life-is-like-a-parachute-jump-you-have-to-get-it-right-the-first-time/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [When my kids were in the school play for the first time, I decided I had to make the costumes from scratch and bought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/when-my-kids-were-in-the-school-play-for-the-first-time-i-decided-i/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [“I will run every mile, i will save every line, i will say i reached the top and i will fall back down standing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mennah-al-refaey/i-will-run-every-mile-i-will-save-every-line-i-will-say-i-reached-the/) [Mennah al refaey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mennah-al-refaey/) > [“Or maybe your magic isn't that destructive after all. The rain of Doritos, the bed thing,this...Maybe it's just that you create too big, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawkins/or-maybe-your-magic-isn-t-that-destructive-after-all-the-rain-of/) [Rachel Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawkins/) > [There is no pain like the first time you get your heart broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ne-yo/there-is-no-pain-like-the-first-time-you-get-your-heart-broken/) [Ne-Yo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ne-yo/) > [I don't know why, but everybody thinks that I'm short. When they see me for the first time, women are always surprised to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariah-carey/i-don-t-know-why-but-everybody-thinks-that-i-m-short-when-they-see-me/) [Mariah Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariah-carey/) > [“I met Suffering on a quiet road, just as the sun was setting behind me. 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Somehow, realizing that hurt far worse than the beating Arobynn had given her. Her lips trembled, but she squared her shoulders and scanned the night sky until she found the Stag and the crowning star that led north. Sighing, Celaena blew out the lantern, mounted Kasida, and rode into the night.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. 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