--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't ever feel inhibited. It's harder to…" description: "\"Don't ever feel inhibited. It's harder to censor yourself than to just be yourself.\" — Sharon Van Etten" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/sharon-van-etten-3210_being-yourself_don-t-ever-feel-inhibited-it-s-harder-to_753250.png" --- # Don't ever feel inhibited. It's harder to censor yourself… ![“Don't ever feel inhibited. It's harder to censor yourself than to just be yourself.” quote by Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/sharon-van-etten-3210_being-yourself_don-t-ever-feel-inhibited-it-s-harder-to_753250.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/sharon-van-etten-3210_being-yourself_don-t-ever-feel-inhibited-it-s-harder-to_753250.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/sharon-van-etten-3210_being-yourself_don-t-ever-feel-inhibited-it-s-harder-to_753250.png) > “Don't ever feel inhibited. It's harder to censor yourself than to just be yourself.” [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authenticity is easier when you stop self‑censorship and allow your true self to emerge. **In simple terms:** Be yourself without fear of judgment. Key Takeaway Stop editing yourself; speak freely. Themes self‑expression confidence authenticity Mood empowering reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - creative work - social media - personal relationships Key Concepts psychology social pressure identity Questions to Reflect On - What would you say if you weren’t afraid? - When does self‑censorship help? A Different Perspective Self‑censorship can protect privacy and reputation, so total openness may have risks. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-yourself/) [Inhibited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inhibited/) ## Related quotes > [I do not feel inhibited or bound by what I am. That does not mean that I have never had bad scenes relating to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/i-do-not-feel-inhibited-or-bound-by-what-i-am-that-does-not-mean-that/) [Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/) > [I spent too many years of my life stressing over and struggling with my sexuality. But it was a valuable lesson. I realised that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-rubin/i-spent-too-many-years-of-my-life-stressing-over-and-struggling-with/) [Dave Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-rubin/) > [I think it's very useful to be insulated from your surrounds, because it gives you your inviolate privacy, without pressures, so that you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-aiken/i-think-it-s-very-useful-to-be-insulated-from-your-surrounds-because/) [Conrad Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-aiken/) > [Don't just be yourself. Be all of yourself. Don't just live. Be that other thing connected to death. Be life. Live all of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/don-t-just-be-yourself-be-all-of-yourself-don-t-just-live-be-that/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Just be yourself and forget all of the stuff you read in 'GQ' magazine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pratt/just-be-yourself-and-forget-all-of-the-stuff-you-read-in-gq-magazine/) [Chris Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pratt/) > [You cant think about things you want to change. Just be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-embry/you-cant-think-about-things-you-want-to-change-just-be-yourself/) [Ethan Embry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-embry/) > [Style is wearing an evening dress to McDonald's, wearing heels to play football. It is personality, confidence and seduction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galliano/style-is-wearing-an-evening-dress-to-mcdonald-s-wearing-heels-to-play/) [John Galliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galliano/) > [Get out into the sunlight-out where everything is-with a vibration that is so dominant that those who annoy you, those who don't agree with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/get-out-into-the-sunlight-out-where-everything-is-with-a-vibration/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [It is a fight and struggle to just be yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-valentine/it-is-a-fight-and-struggle-to-just-be-yourself/) [Brooke Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-valentine/) > [Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianni-versace/don-t-be-into-trends-don-t-make-fashion-own-you-but-you-decide-what/) [Gianni Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianni-versace/) > [What I would tell girls coming up is just be yourself and don't let people get in the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martina-navratilova/what-i-would-tell-girls-coming-up-is-just-be-yourself-and-don-t-let/) [Martina Navratilova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martina-navratilova/) > [Being your true self is the most effective formula for success there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/being-your-true-self-is-the-most-effective-formula-for-success-there/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [Don't just be yourself. Be all of your selves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/don-t-just-be-yourself-be-all-of-your-selves/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Always be a first-rate version of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [You didn't accidentally get your personality, looks and gifts. You were designed on purpose to be the way you are. You have what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/you-didn-t-accidentally-get-your-personality-looks-and-gifts-you-were/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) ## More by Sharon Van Etten > [I've always liked to learn how to do things - I'm a hobby person. So I'll learn something at a beginner's level, then usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-ve-always-liked-to-learn-how-to-do-things-i-m-a-hobby-person-so-i/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I work a lot with sounds based on stream of consciousness. I like the way it sounds, then I turn it into something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-work-a-lot-with-sounds-based-on-stream-of-consciousness-i-like-the/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [When I can write a song in a way where I feel like other people can relate to it, and I can take it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/when-i-can-write-a-song-in-a-way-where-i-feel-like-other-people-can/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I'm still learning how to be comfortable touring. I haven't found that balance yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-m-still-learning-how-to-be-comfortable-touring-i-haven-t-found-that/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I overthink everything. I'm just like, 'Wait, why do they want to hear me?' I start doubting myself. Other times, I'll just get so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-overthink-everything-i-m-just-like-wait-why-do-they-want-to-hear-me/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I didn't start writing with band arrangements until I was working on 'Tramp.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-didn-t-start-writing-with-band-arrangements-until-i-was-working-on/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I hit 'record' whenever I'm going through a really hard time. I don't listen to it for a couple of days, so I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-hit-record-whenever-i-m-going-through-a-really-hard-time-i-don-t/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I was so broken when I did the first record. I was living in my parents' basement, I didn't know anyone. I was broken-hearted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-was-so-broken-when-i-did-the-first-record-i-was-living-in-my/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I don't think I'll ever feel perfectly balanced, but I feel like I'm figuring it out, and I'm surrounded by really wonderful people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-don-t-think-i-ll-ever-feel-perfectly-balanced-but-i-feel-like-i-m/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I only write when I'm in a dark place. I hit 'record' and get it out, writing and playing my guitar at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-only-write-when-i-m-in-a-dark-place-i-hit-record-and-get-it-out/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I love how small the world is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-love-how-small-the-world-is/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [In 2015, I told my band that I was taking a break so I could focus on my home life, go back to school,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/in-2015-i-told-my-band-that-i-was-taking-a-break-so-i-could-focus-on/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [My goal is to become a therapist by the time I'm 50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/my-goal-is-to-become-a-therapist-by-the-time-i-m-50/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [On first listen, it's nice to just soak up the sound without thinking about what it means. It's like a relationship. Records I've had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/on-first-listen-it-s-nice-to-just-soak-up-the-sound-without-thinking/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) > [I'm a late bloomer in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-van-etten/i-m-a-late-bloomer-in-music/) [Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) [Explore all 136 Sharon Van Etten quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-van-etten/) ## More Being yourself quotes > [Make-up can't cover up an ugly personality!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/make-up-can-t-cover-up-an-ugly-personality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupaul/if-you-can-t-love-yourself-how-in-the-hell-you-gonna-love-somebody/) [RuPaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupaul/) > [There is nothing to do, just be. Do nothing. Be. No climbing mountains and sitting in caves. I do not even say "be yourself"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/there-is-nothing-to-do-just-be-do-nothing-be-no-climbing-mountains/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The thing about a pick-up line is, even if it works, then what? I just figure you unapologetically be yourself, and if it works,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skylar-astin/the-thing-about-a-pick-up-line-is-even-if-it-works-then-what-i-just/) [Skylar Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skylar-astin/) > [Say to yourself: 'Living essentially to please others is a monumental mistake.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-robinson/say-to-yourself-living-essentially-to-please-others-is-a-monumental/) George Robinson > [About all you can do in life is be who you are. Some people will love you for you. Most will love you for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/about-all-you-can-do-in-life-is-be-who-you-are-some-people-will-love/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [If you don't feel free and be yourself, you can't connect. Find people who accept your quirks. They'll heal your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/if-you-don-t-feel-free-and-be-yourself-you-can-t-connect-find-people/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [Give yourself a chance to live because nobody will live it for you when you die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-a-chance-to-live-because-nobody-will-live-it-for-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not pretty,I'm not smart.I'm not perfect and some people don't think I'm worth it.But if you look inside and see,you will see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-price/i-m-not-pretty-i-m-not-smart-i-m-not-perfect-and-some-people-don-t/) Lexi Price > [Your not born knowing what sex you like because you don't know what your feelings are, then before you know what sex you like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brown/your-not-born-knowing-what-sex-you-like-because-you-don-t-know-what/) [Charlie Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brown/) > [You can't be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on doing what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kitavi/you-can-t-be-everything-to-everyone-no-matter-what-you-do-there-will/) Jonathan Kitavi > [The clashes of people and the clashes of cultures have assisted me in learning the openness you have to be a part of in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kissey/the-clashes-of-people-and-the-clashes-of-cultures-have-assisted-me-in/) [Kissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kissey/) > [Celebrate all the things you don't like about yourself. love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/celebrate-all-the-things-you-don-t-like-about-yourself-love-yourself/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [“If you're the smartest person in the room, you might wanna switch rooms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-newby/if-you-re-the-smartest-person-in-the-room-you-might-wanna-switch-rooms/) [Sabrina Newby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-newby/) > [Stop trying to impress other and start impressing yourself !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kale-bell/stop-trying-to-impress-other-and-start-impressing-yourself/) [Kale Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kale-bell/) [Browse all 1,461 Being yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-yourself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't ever feel inhibited. 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