---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And to be seen—really seen—was the most…"
description: "\"“And to be seen—really seen—was the most terrifying thing I’d ever felt.”\" — Sierra Simone"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg"
---

#  And to be seen—really seen—was the most terrifying thing…

![“And to be seen—really seen—was the most terrifying thing I’d ever felt.” quote by Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg)

> ““And to be seen—really seen—was the most terrifying thing I’d ever felt.””

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

## About This Quote

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

Being truly seen exposes vulnerability and fear, making it a daunting experience.

**In simple terms:** Being truly seen is terrifying.

Key Takeaway

Embrace vulnerability despite fear.

Themes

vulnerability exposure fear

Mood

anxious introspective

Type

literary emotional

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- therapy
- artistic expression

Key Concepts

psychology identity authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

- What does being truly seen mean to you?
- How can you protect yourself while staying authentic?

A Different Perspective

Visibility can lead to judgment and loss of privacy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Really Seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really-seen-504296/) [Seen Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seen-really-954399/) [Seen Terrifying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seen-terrifying-1529515/) [Terrifying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrifying/) [Terrifying Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrifying-thing-374702/)

## Related quotes

> [In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/in-order-for-connection-to-happen-we-have-to-allow-ourselves-to-be/)

[Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/)

> [She was mine and not-mine all at once. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and the most terrifying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/she-was-mine-and-not-mine-all-at-once-she-was-the-most-beautiful/)

[Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/)

> [I think the terrifying thing is you see all these people who go to the same cosmetic surgeon, and they end up, after a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/i-think-the-terrifying-thing-is-you-see-all-these-people-who-go-to/)

[Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/)

> [The most terrifying thing in the world was having to give a speech at my girlfriend's wedding. I was physically shaking and sweating the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindy-booth/the-most-terrifying-thing-in-the-world-was-having-to-give-a-speech-at/)

[Lindy Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindy-booth/)

> [It is such a terrifying thing to see a man cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/it-is-such-a-terrifying-thing-to-see-a-man-cry/)

[Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/)

> [ I saw an episode - the second episode \[of Black Mirror\], "Fifteen Million Merits" - and I completely flipped out: "This is what my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-dallas-howard/i-saw-an-episode-the-second-episode-of-black-mirror-fifteen-million/)

[Bryce Dallas Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-dallas-howard/)

> [That moment when you have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and that hallway is suddenly the most terrifying thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-moment-when-you-have-to-use-the-bathroom-in-the-middle-of-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The most terrifying thing I can think of is being alone - and I mean utterly alone, like no one else in the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kane/the-most-terrifying-thing-i-can-think-of-is-being-alone-and-i-mean/)

[Paul Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kane/)

> [The threat is generally more terrifying than the thing itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-threat-is-generally-more-terrifying-than-the-thing-itself/)

[Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/)

> [Auditioning is the most terrifying thing Ive ever done. There must have been four or five of them where I completely froze up and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-donovan/auditioning-is-the-most-terrifying-thing-ive-ever-done-there-must/)

[Trevor Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-donovan/)

> [The most terrifying thing in my life is a blank sheet of paper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ayer/the-most-terrifying-thing-in-my-life-is-a-blank-sheet-of-paper/)

[David Ayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ayer/)

> [Songwriting is the most terrifying thing to me, because you are really laying your heart out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedman/songwriting-is-the-most-terrifying-thing-to-me-because-you-are-really/)

[David Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedman/)

> [To feel is perhaps the most terrifying thing in this society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-taylor/to-feel-is-perhaps-the-most-terrifying-thing-in-this-society/)

[Cecil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-taylor/)

> [Trying to put music out there in the world is a pretty exciting, yet terrifying, thing and I've just been through the ringer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-bruno/trying-to-put-music-out-there-in-the-world-is-a-pretty-exciting-yet/)

[Aaron Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-bruno/)

> [The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-threat-is-usually-more-terrifying-than-the-thing-itself/)

[Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/)

## More by Sierra Simone

> [“I hug him. I close my eyes, press my face into his already strong and heavy shoulder, and I thank God for this unexpected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/i-hug-him-i-close-my-eyes-press-my-face-into-his-already-strong-and/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“I see the beginning. And I see the end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/i-see-the-beginning-and-i-see-the-end/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“There is Greer, with my shadow written across her skin like a stamp of ownership.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/there-is-greer-with-my-shadow-written-across-her-skin-like-a-stamp-of/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“I am the leaf skating across the pond again, simply blowing where her words take me, and I can just watch with exhilarating clarity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/i-am-the-leaf-skating-across-the-pond-again-simply-blowing-where-her/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“I knew I was destined to love him. I knew I was destined to be his. There's no place he can go that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/i-knew-i-was-destined-to-love-him-i-knew-i-was-destined-to-be-his/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“Perhaps Embry’s always had the part of me that wielded the sword, but she… she’s always owned the part that wears the crown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/perhaps-embry-s-always-had-the-part-of-me-that-wielded-the-sword-but/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“Please,” he begs. “Please let me fuck her.” “You want to fuck that pussy? It’s mine, though.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/please-he-begs-please-let-me-fuck-her-you-want-to-fuck-that-pussy-it/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“And then both men begin moving, going slow to find the rhythm that suits us all best, because of course it's not about finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/and-then-both-men-begin-moving-going-slow-to-find-the-rhythm-that/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“I met his eyes, which were almost black in the dark. “Whatever you want.” “What I want will have you flat on the ground…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/i-met-his-eyes-which-were-almost-black-in-the-dark-whatever-you-want/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“He’s watching me and Greer, and his face. His face. I’ve never wondered before what it would look like for someone to have their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/he-s-watching-me-and-greer-and-his-face-his-face-i-ve-never-wondered/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“like wearing a cloak of nettles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/like-wearing-a-cloak-of-nettles/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“Here’s what I think, little prince. Here’s what I know— and you know it too. You don’t need to call me Sir to submit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/here-s-what-i-think-little-prince-here-s-what-i-know-and-you-know-it/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“Just because it’s not common doesn’t mean it’s wrong,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/just-because-it-s-not-common-doesn-t-mean-it-s-wrong/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“Every inch of me, every corner and curve of my skin, is alive with disgust, is alive with no, as if no were an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/every-inch-of-me-every-corner-and-curve-of-my-skin-is-alive-with/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

> [“I can’t tell what’s the best way to love you, whether it’s trying to catch you or to let you go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/i-can-t-tell-what-s-the-best-way-to-love-you-whether-it-s-trying-to/)

[Sierra Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

[Explore all 41 Sierra Simone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/)

## More Terrifying quotes

> [“I find it terrifying how any of us can die at any moment, yet we live our lives always planning for the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tumblr-user/i-find-it-terrifying-how-any-of-us-can-die-at-any-moment-yet-we-live/)

[Tumblr user](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tumblr-user/)

> [It's fucking terrifying that no matter how many promises they made, no matter how long you've been together, someone can get up &amp; walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larissa-derrah/it-s-fucking-terrifying-that-no-matter-how-many-promises-they-made-no/)

[Larissa Derrah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larissa-derrah/)

> [You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful. Something not everyone knows how to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warsan-shire/you-are-terrifying-and-strange-and-beautiful-something-not-everyone/)

[Warsan Shire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warsan-shire/)

> [The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-threat-is-usually-more-terrifying-than-the-thing-itself/)

[Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/)

> [You have to find a balance with food in your life - you can't take out food. It can be absolutely terrifying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carre-otis/you-have-to-find-a-balance-with-food-in-your-life-you-can-t-take-out/)

[Carre Otis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carre-otis/)

> [Trying to put music out there in the world is a pretty exciting, yet terrifying, thing and I've just been through the ringer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-bruno/trying-to-put-music-out-there-in-the-world-is-a-pretty-exciting-yet/)

[Aaron Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-bruno/)

> [What Messi does is terrifying. It's indescribable magic. You can't analyze it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-luis-menotti/what-messi-does-is-terrifying-it-s-indescribable-magic-you-can-t/)

[Cesar Luis Menotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-luis-menotti/)

> [The nine most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-nine-most-terrifying-words-in-the-english-language-are-i-m-from/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [He had been through a good deal in the course of the Great Quest — he had seen beautiful things and horrible things —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ende/he-had-been-through-a-good-deal-in-the-course-of-the-great-quest-he/)

[Michael Ende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ende/)

> [Senseless violence is, almost by definition, hard to understand. Not that I can understand terrorists who kill from hate, but at least we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-estrich/senseless-violence-is-almost-by-definition-hard-to-understand-not/)

[Susan Estrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-estrich/)

> [There were also horror shows on the radio. Very terrifying and thrilling to me as a kid. They had all these creepy sound effects.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-hagedorn/there-were-also-horror-shows-on-the-radio-very-terrifying-and/)

[Jessica Hagedorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-hagedorn/)

> [I’ll always defend the people I love even though I’m as terrifying as a baby penguin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-horan/i-ll-always-defend-the-people-i-love-even-though-i-m-as-terrifying-as/)

[Niall Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-horan/)

> [I'm curious about what makes people do things that they do, unless it's absolutely terrifying to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dern/i-m-curious-about-what-makes-people-do-things-that-they-do-unless-it/)

[Bruce Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dern/)

> [To feel is perhaps the most terrifying thing in this society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-taylor/to-feel-is-perhaps-the-most-terrifying-thing-in-this-society/)

[Cecil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-taylor/)

> [I really enjoyed being pregnant up until the point when the terrifying pains began.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-weymouth/i-really-enjoyed-being-pregnant-up-until-the-point-when-the/)

[Emma Weymouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-weymouth/)

[Browse all 570 Terrifying quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrifying/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“And to be seen—really seen—was the most terrifying thing I’d ever felt.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sierra Simone"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most-terrifying-thing-i-d-ever-felt/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Terrifying"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most-terrifying-thing-i-d-ever-felt/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/246/sierra-simone-15937_quote_and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most_1742204.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“And to be seen—really seen—was the most terrifying thing I’d ever felt.” — Sierra Simone",
                "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": "Sierra Simone",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sierra-simone/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“And to be seen—really seen—was the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most-terrifying-thing-i-d-ever-felt/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sierra-simone/and-to-be-seen-really-seen-was-the-most-terrifying-thing-i-d-ever-felt/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
