--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not onstage as often anymore, but…" description: "\"It's not onstage as often anymore, but whenever I got anxious, I used to talk a lot more, and I wouldn't even know what I was saying... it was so bad. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6da/sharon-van-etten-3210_anxious_it-s-not-onstage-as-often-anymore-but-wh_1809949.jpg" --- # It's not onstage as often anymore, but whenever I got… ![“It's not onstage as often anymore, but whenever I got anxious, I used to talk a lot more, and I wouldn't even know what I was saying... it was so bad. If I just talk myself through something, even if it's just talking about nothing, it usually gets me out of it.” quote by Sharon Van Etten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6da/sharon-van-etten-3210_anxious_it-s-not-onstage-as-often-anymore-but-wh_1809949.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6da/sharon-van-etten-3210_anxious_it-s-not-onstage-as-often-anymore-but-wh_1809949.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6da/sharon-van-etten-3210_anxious_it-s-not-onstage-as-often-anymore-but-wh_1809949.jpg) > “It's not onstage as often anymore, but whenever I got anxious, I used to talk a lot more, and I wouldn't even know what I was saying... it was so bad. If I just talk myself through something, even if it's just talking about nothing, it usually gets me out of it.” [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. The artist describes using excessive talking as a self‑soothing technique to alleviate anxiety, even when the speech is incoherent, indicating that the act of verbalizing helps shift mental state. **In simple terms:** Talking a lot, even nonsense, helps calm anxiety. Key Takeaway Use verbal self‑soothing when anxious. Themes mental health self‑regulation communication Mood reflective calm Type self‑help personal When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal journaling - public speaking practice Key Concepts cognitive distraction emotional release Questions to Reflect On - When does talking become counterproductive? - What alternative grounding techniques work? A Different Perspective Relying on talking may not address underlying causes and can be socially disruptive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) [Anxious Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious-used-2105789/) [Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) [Got Anxious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got-anxious-1136530/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myself/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Talking Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking-usually-2105790/) ## Related quotes > [We made a lot of videos about home workouts, the food we were having etc., and trying to motivate ourselves and others. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gurmeet-choudhary/we-made-a-lot-of-videos-about-home-workouts-the-food-we-were-having/) [Gurmeet Choudhary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gurmeet-choudhary/) > [I went into broadcast journalism. I loved every class I took, I just got anxious because I came to the realization that you're groomed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chace-crawford/i-went-into-broadcast-journalism-i-loved-every-class-i-took-i-just/) [Chace Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chace-crawford/) > [I like talking about you, usually, but occasionally...I wanna talk about me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-keith/i-like-talking-about-you-usually-but-occasionally-i-wanna-talk-about/) [Toby Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-keith/) > [“I kept waiting for something bigger, something more profound, something that I could hitch myself to and be carried away once and for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cope-moyers/i-kept-waiting-for-something-bigger-something-more-profound-something/) [William Cope Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cope-moyers/) > [I got so anxious sitting in the make-up chair for hours with my face covered. I had my doctor write a prescription for valium.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-hunter/i-got-so-anxious-sitting-in-the-make-up-chair-for-hours-with-my-face/) [Kim Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-hunter/) > [I just wanted to be normal. I wanted to have a normal life. I wanted to have children. And when I was picked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldie-hawn/i-just-wanted-to-be-normal-i-wanted-to-have-a-normal-life-i-wanted-to/) [Goldie Hawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldie-hawn/) > [We have a great time on that show, and we enjoy one another's company on stage and off. And sitcoms don't have bad schedules.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurtwood-smith/we-have-a-great-time-on-that-show-and-we-enjoy-one-another-s-company/) [Kurtwood Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurtwood-smith/) > [I was always used to being centre stage - something that had its good and bad points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-was-always-used-to-being-centre-stage-something-that-had-its-good/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I know a lot of screen actors who think they left it too long to go back on stage and now they have really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-know-a-lot-of-screen-actors-who-think-they-left-it-too-long-to-go/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) > [I'd like to be able to do complex math in my head. Any kind of adversity and I become very anxious, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-woods/i-d-like-to-be-able-to-do-complex-math-in-my-head-any-kind-of/) [Zach Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-woods/) > [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/be-lamps-unto-yourselves-be-refuges-unto-yourselves-take-yourself-no/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [According to Shakyamuni Buddha, it's normal for human beings to be anxious, because it's normal for human beings not to understand themselves. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reb-anderson/according-to-shakyamuni-buddha-it-s-normal-for-human-beings-to-be/) [Reb Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reb-anderson/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## 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 Anxious quotes > [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [According to Shakyamuni Buddha, it's normal for human beings to be anxious, because it's normal for human beings not to understand themselves. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reb-anderson/according-to-shakyamuni-buddha-it-s-normal-for-human-beings-to-be/) [Reb Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reb-anderson/) > [Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/be-lamps-unto-yourselves-be-refuges-unto-yourselves-take-yourself-no/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [I'd like to be able to do complex math in my head. Any kind of adversity and I become very anxious, but if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-woods/i-d-like-to-be-able-to-do-complex-math-in-my-head-any-kind-of/) [Zach Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-woods/) > [There were times when depression, anxiety, whatever, would keep me from writing. I still get depressed and anxious, but I just don't let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-st-john/there-were-times-when-depression-anxiety-whatever-would-keep-me-from/) [David St. John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-st-john/) > [The millennials were raised in a cocoon, their anxious parents afraid to let them go out in the park to play. So should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/the-millennials-were-raised-in-a-cocoon-their-anxious-parents-afraid/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [I'm a very anxious, nervy kind of loser in many ways, and I get very stressed and a little tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-weeks/i-m-a-very-anxious-nervy-kind-of-loser-in-many-ways-and-i-get-very/) [Ed Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-weeks/) > [Dogs seek attention from you. But by paying them that attention when they want it, you're reinforcing the bad or hyperactive or anxious behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/dogs-seek-attention-from-you-but-by-paying-them-that-attention-when/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular. But I would like to think that at a crucial moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-anxious-to-be-the-loudest-voice-or-the-most-popular-but-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You simply can't be tentative in a startup. You have to go for it at every chance you get. And if the leader of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-wilson/you-simply-can-t-be-tentative-in-a-startup-you-have-to-go-for-it-at/) [Fred Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-wilson/) > [I - it's simply not for me to evaluate an independent rating agency's processes. But I will say that there was reason to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-carney/i-it-s-simply-not-for-me-to-evaluate-an-independent-rating-agency-s/) [Jay Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-carney/) > [I don't understand why gay people are so anxious to get married.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-margolyes/i-don-t-understand-why-gay-people-are-so-anxious-to-get-married/) [Miriam Margolyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-margolyes/) [Browse all 1,159 Anxious quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxious/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not onstage as often anymore, but whenever I got anxious, I used to talk a lot more, and I wouldn't even know what I was saying... it was so bad. 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