--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to be very figurative and also…" description: "\"I used to be very figurative and also just kind of scared to talk about the way I felt in a literal way.\" — SZA" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg" --- # I used to be very figurative and also just kind of scared… ![“I used to be very figurative and also just kind of scared to talk about the way I felt in a literal way.” quote by SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg) > “I used to be very figurative and also just kind of scared to talk about the way I felt in a literal way.” [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reveals past difficulty expressing emotions directly, preferring metaphorical language. **In simple terms:** She used to avoid speaking plainly about feelings. Key Takeaway Embrace honest emotional expression. Themes self‑expression vulnerability communication artistic growth Mood introspective hopeful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - songwriting - personal therapy - public speaking - relationship discussions Key Concepts metaphor vs literal emotional honesty Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from speaking plainly? - How can metaphor aid emotional safety? A Different Perspective Literal expression may expose vulnerability and risk judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Figurative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figurative/) ## Related quotes > [Because I'm quiet, people think I'm really cold, or rude, or snobby. 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A lot of people feel the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/i-m-a-person-of-my-own-opinions-that-s-how-i-was-raised-i-speak-what/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) > [When I first saw you I was so so scared to talk or do any thing with you but a year later I run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer/when-i-first-saw-you-i-was-so-so-scared-to-talk-or-do-any-thing-with/) [Jennifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer/) > [“I was too scared to talk, but I was more scared to not talk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/i-was-too-scared-to-talk-but-i-was-more-scared-to-not-talk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [She lives in the shadow of a lonely girl Voice so quiet you don't hear a word, Always talking but she can't be heard,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal/she-lives-in-the-shadow-of-a-lonely-girl-voice-so-quiet-you-don-t/) [CrYsTaL](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal/) > [Sitting one seat away from Nicki Minaj at Marc Jacobs left me speechless. I couldn't say anything - and that's the first time that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-petras/sitting-one-seat-away-from-nicki-minaj-at-marc-jacobs-left-me/) [Kim Petras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-petras/) > [When I was younger, I was very scared to talk to people. To the point where my parents took me to a therapist because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-shum-jr/when-i-was-younger-i-was-very-scared-to-talk-to-people-to-the-point/) [Harry Shum, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-shum-jr/) > [It must be horrible having people scared to talk to you. But I think it's kinda cool that I don't really know anyone in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-dallas/it-must-be-horrible-having-people-scared-to-talk-to-you-but-i-think/) [Cameron Dallas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-dallas/) > [When I saw you around, I was scared to talk to you. I thought I was not pretty enough. When you spoke to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imani-forpahl/when-i-saw-you-around-i-was-scared-to-talk-to-you-i-thought-i-was-not/) Imani Forpahl > [A lot of players are scared to talk because a lot of people aren't financially stable to where they can make comments on how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-green/a-lot-of-players-are-scared-to-talk-because-a-lot-of-people-aren-t/) [A. J. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-green/) > [Having the hip surgery and then still having the pain with it, I was kind of scared jumping off one leg, jumping off two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevon-looney/having-the-hip-surgery-and-then-still-having-the-pain-with-it-i-was/) [Kevon Looney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevon-looney/) > [People who work every day are kind of scared of things they don't understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-jeezy/people-who-work-every-day-are-kind-of-scared-of-things-they-don-t/) [Young Jeezy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-jeezy/) > [What did exclusivity ever have to offer but a distorted, unrealistic view of the world? People who stuck only to their own kind were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-shihab-nye/what-did-exclusivity-ever-have-to-offer-but-a-distorted-unrealistic/) [Naomi Shihab Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-shihab-nye/) ## More by SZA > [I think music is honest and will make you do honest things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-think-music-is-honest-and-will-make-you-do-honest-things/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I'm a Scorpio with a Pisces moon. I am very critical of myself. I'm actually way less critical of others than I am of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-m-a-scorpio-with-a-pisces-moon-i-am-very-critical-of-myself-i-m/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I went through this phase of Spandex, high heels, and fur coats when I was my late teens and early twenties; before then, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-went-through-this-phase-of-spandex-high-heels-and-fur-coats-when-i/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [There's something different about growing up black and Muslim, especially in New Jersey. It's like when I left the mosque and I left my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/there-s-something-different-about-growing-up-black-and-muslim/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I don't enjoy being interviewed. I feel like it exhausts a lot of my energy. I feel empty after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-don-t-enjoy-being-interviewed-i-feel-like-it-exhausts-a-lot-of-my/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I wasn't popular in high school; I had no friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-wasn-t-popular-in-high-school-i-had-no-friends/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I worry so much. Like, 'Damn, how can I be excellent?' But it's a journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-worry-so-much-like-damn-how-can-i-be-excellent-but-it-s-a-journey/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I have a really strong gluten allergy, and I'm pretty lactose-intolerant, like, in a big way, but I love cheese.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-have-a-really-strong-gluten-allergy-and-i-m-pretty-lactose/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I got a lot of crap for being named SZA but not being affiliated with Wu-Tang, and being a girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-got-a-lot-of-crap-for-being-named-sza-but-not-being-affiliated-with/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I just think I have too much anxiety to listen to music. Sometimes it feels like noise, and sometimes it's so affecting that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-just-think-i-have-too-much-anxiety-to-listen-to-music-sometimes-it/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I was raised orthodox Muslim. Very sheltered, very conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-was-raised-orthodox-muslim-very-sheltered-very-conservative/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I was born in St. Louis, but I'm from Maplewood, New Jersey. Maplewood is completely different than the rest of New Jersey. It's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-was-born-in-st-louis-but-i-m-from-maplewood-new-jersey-maplewood-is/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I use Ecoco EcoStyler gel, but the alcohol-free protein one. That's the key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-use-ecoco-ecostyler-gel-but-the-alcohol-free-protein-one-that-s-the/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [I don't think I'm inherently feminist. I think the universe wants me to be feminist, and I think I resonate with that. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-don-t-think-i-m-inherently-feminist-i-think-the-universe-wants-me/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) > [You can take care of your body, and it will low-key show you respect in turn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/you-can-take-care-of-your-body-and-it-will-low-key-show-you-respect/) [SZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) [Explore all 108 SZA quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/) ## More Felt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/) [Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [Hackney gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's the only place I've ever lived that felt like a community. I know my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/hackney-gets-a-bit-of-a-bad-rap-but-it-s-the-only-place-i-ve-ever/) [Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [The more I read about feeding times, sleep times and waking-up times, the more inadequate and miserable I felt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-porter/the-more-i-read-about-feeding-times-sleep-times-and-waking-up-times/) [Gail Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-porter/) > [I have touched with a sense of art some people-they felt the love and the life. Can you offer me anything to compare to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cassatt/i-have-touched-with-a-sense-of-art-some-people-they-felt-the-love-and/) [Mary Cassatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cassatt/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [My life was incoherent to me. I felt it quivering, spitting out broken teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-fox/my-life-was-incoherent-to-me-i-felt-it-quivering-spitting-out-broken/) [Paula Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-fox/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [I never felt like running away from my dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paresh-rawal/i-never-felt-like-running-away-from-my-dreams/) [Paresh Rawal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paresh-rawal/) > [When I discovered drama, I felt a connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-fearon/when-i-discovered-drama-i-felt-a-connection/) [Ray Fearon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-fearon/) Browse all 9,592 Felt quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to be very figurative and also just kind of scared to talk about the way I felt in a literal way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "SZA" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-just-kind-of-scared-to-talk/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Felt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-just-kind-of-scared-to-talk/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c9/sza-4638_felt_i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-ju_1042331.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to be very figurative and also just kind of scared to talk about the way I felt in a literal way.” — SZA", "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": "SZA", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sza/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I used to be very figurative...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-just-kind-of-scared-to-talk/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sza/i-used-to-be-very-figurative-and-also-just-kind-of-scared-to-talk/#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 } } ] } ```