--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-consciousness, that's what it is…" description: "\"Self-consciousness, that's what it is. Always my abiding vice. I keep seeing myself. Me watching myself watching others watch me. How do you lose that?..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/stephen-fry-573_abiding_self-consciousness-that-s-what-it-is-alw_1066980.png" --- # Self-consciousness, that's what it is. Always my abiding… ![“Self-consciousness, that's what it is. Always my abiding vice. I keep seeing myself. Me watching myself watching others watch me. How do you lose that? What's the trick?” quote by Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/stephen-fry-573_abiding_self-consciousness-that-s-what-it-is-alw_1066980.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/stephen-fry-573_abiding_self-consciousness-that-s-what-it-is-alw_1066980.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/461/stephen-fry-573_abiding_self-consciousness-that-s-what-it-is-alw_1066980.png) > “Self-consciousness, that's what it is. Always my abiding vice. I keep seeing myself. Me watching myself watching others watch me. How do you lose that? What's the trick?” [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes being trapped in self-observation, seeking a way to escape that mental loop. **In simple terms:** He feels stuck watching himself watch others. Key Takeaway Practice mindfulness to break the self‑watching cycle. Themes self‑consciousness mindfulness identity Mood introspective thoughtful Type philosophical self‑help When to use this quote - public speaking - therapy - creative work Key Concepts psychology meta‑cognition Questions to Reflect On - How can you become less self‑critical? - What practices help you stay present? A Different Perspective Self‑watching can hinder authentic action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abiding/) [Abiding Vice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abiding-vice-2637193/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Consciousness Abiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-abiding-2637191/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-consciousness/) [Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tricks/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) [Watch me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watch-me/) [Watches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watches/) ## Related quotes > [“None of this is important in itself, but I feel somewhere that it has a lot to do with why I have always felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/none-of-this-is-important-in-itself-but-i-feel-somewhere-that-it-has-2/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [It's not all bad. 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