--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: that was bad; i shouldn't have done that…" description: "\"“that was bad; i shouldn't have done that to prevent you from entering a catatonic state i am going to maintain a calm facial expression with crinkly e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg" --- # that was bad; i shouldn't have done that to prevent you… ![“that was bad; i shouldn't have done that to prevent you from entering a catatonic state i am going to maintain a calm facial expression with crinkly eyes and an overall friendly demeanor i believe in a human being that is not upset i believe if you are working i should not be insane or upset--why…” quote by Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg) > ““that was bad; i shouldn't have done that to prevent you from entering a catatonic state i am going to maintain a calm facial expression with crinkly eyes and an overall friendly demeanor i believe in a human being that is not upset i believe if you are working i should not be insane or upset--why am i ever insane or upset and not working? i vacuumed the entire house this morning i cleaned the kitchen and the computer room and i made you a meat helmet with computer paper the opportunity for change exists in each moment, all moments are alone and separate from other moments, and there are a limited number of moments and the idea of change is a delusion of positive or negative thinking your hands are covering your face and your body moves like a statue when i try to manipulate an appendage if i could just get you to cry tears of joy one more time”” [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on anxiety, control, and the fleeting nature of moments, questioning mental states and seeking genuine joy amidst routine tasks. **In simple terms:** Anxiety and fleeting moments are examined, seeking joy. Key Takeaway Embrace present, release self‑criticism. Themes anxiety mindfulness impermanence control joy Mood reflective melancholic hopeful Type philosophical personal contemplative When to use this quote - daily chores - creative expression - emotional regulation - interpersonal connection Key Concepts existentialism psychology temporal perception Questions to Reflect On - How can you accept imperfect moments? - What small act can bring genuine joy? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism can hinder authentic emotional expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cry tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry-tears/) [Delusion Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion-positive-3891663/) [Facial expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facial-expression/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Impermanence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impermanence/) [Negative thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-thinking/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadness/) [Tears of joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears-of-joy/) [Upset Insane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upset-insane-4592823/) [Upset Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upset-working-2734617/) [Working Insane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-insane-4592822/) ## Related quotes > [We need to brace ourselves for a struggle against terrifying obstacles...bot h of our own making and imposed by the natural world. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/we-need-to-brace-ourselves-for-a-struggle-against-terrifying/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [If I told u that I loved u it wouldn't be something that u haven't heard before..if I told u that I needed u…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac1nonly/if-i-told-u-that-i-loved-u-it-wouldn-t-be-something-that-u-haven-t/) [Mac1nonly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac1nonly/) > [Whenever you're feeling sad, skip the parts where you listen to sad music, think of all the bad times, or watch a sad video.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haley-knight/whenever-you-re-feeling-sad-skip-the-parts-where-you-listen-to-sad/) [Haley Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haley-knight/) > [“Is it Weird I Want to Mail You a Lock of my Hair?   Well? Would you find it weird if I mailed you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-blair/is-it-weird-i-want-to-mail-you-a-lock-of-my-hair-well-would-you-find/) [Scott Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-blair/) > [Acting is something that I couldn't recommend to anyone because the odds of it working out are so insane. I don't know how it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/acting-is-something-that-i-couldn-t-recommend-to-anyone-because-the/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [It used to kind of upset me when I'd be working on a part in my hotel room, and I'd get an idea for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bridges/it-used-to-kind-of-upset-me-when-i-d-be-working-on-a-part-in-my-hotel/) [Jeff Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bridges/) > [As a fan of Kanye West, working with him is insane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-vernon/as-a-fan-of-kanye-west-working-with-him-is-insane/) [Justin Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-vernon/) > [A lot of people are upset that I'm not working. They say it's a disgrace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-carne/a-lot-of-people-are-upset-that-i-m-not-working-they-say-it-s-a/) [Marcel Carne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-carne/) > [To weep is to make less the depth of grief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/to-weep-is-to-make-less-the-depth-of-grief/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“You can embark on new and steeper versions of your old sin, you know, and cry tears doing it that are genuine as any.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leif-enger/you-can-embark-on-new-and-steeper-versions-of-your-old-sin-you-know/) [Leif Enger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leif-enger/) > [“Every tear that I shed in pain of the grief gift of your love, I do not cry tears as if I am helpless.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sappho-khizar/every-tear-that-i-shed-in-pain-of-the-grief-gift-of-your-love-i-do/) [Sappho Khizar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sappho-khizar/) > [I now have a little cry! Tears towash your face, I want to sober up a bit today!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/i-now-have-a-little-cry-tears-towash-your-face-i-want-to-sober-up-a/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [You can cry tears of happiness, but not laugh in the face of sadness..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/you-can-cry-tears-of-happiness-but-not-laugh-in-the-face-of-sadness/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [One day you'll see my love was true, one day you'll want me back. That day you'll cry tears of blue, but I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-day-you-ll-see-my-love-was-true-one-day-you-ll-want-me-back-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I start to cry. Tears begin running down my face and quiet sobs escape me. I don't know what I'm doing and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-start-to-cry-tears-begin-running-down-my-face-and-quiet-sobs-escape/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) ## More by Tao Lin > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. She reclined her seat, and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/in-the-parking-lot-she-drove-and-parked-in-a-dark-area-with-no-other/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“i recommend the phrase 'pineapple ass”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-recommend-the-phrase-pineapple-ass/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [I actually don't have...opinions. I'm not being secretive about anything. I just actually don't have opinions about society. I can discern that certain things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-actually-don-t-have-opinions-i-m-not-being-secretive-about-anything/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“Sara would call one of those cops on horses a motherfucker. The cop would avert his eyes. Sara would ask directions for the wild…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/sara-would-call-one-of-those-cops-on-horses-a-motherfucker-the-cop/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [Do you sometimes look up from the computer and look around the room and know you are alone, I mean really know it, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/do-you-sometimes-look-up-from-the-computer-and-look-around-the-room/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [I think mostly the commodifying comes after I've done something that has some other value to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-think-mostly-the-commodifying-comes-after-i-ve-done-something-that/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“The hamster friend said being able to do front rolls didn't make the hamster as good as Bruce Lee, which was not a true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/the-hamster-friend-said-being-able-to-do-front-rolls-didn-t-make-the/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“As a teenager, he made screaming noises at night in his room, like a deranged person. He threw his electrical pencil sharpener at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/as-a-teenager-he-made-screaming-noises-at-night-in-his-room-like-a/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“Don't be stupid and awkward," the dolphin says. "You want to walk together or not?" "You are a stupid piece of shit. Go away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/don-t-be-stupid-and-awkward-the-dolphin-says-you-want-to-walk/) [tao lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [I was delivering pizzas at Domino's. I was 17 maybe. I liked it a lot. Just driving in the nice weather and listening to music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/i-was-delivering-pizzas-at-domino-s-i-was-17-maybe-i-liked-it-a-lot/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [loneliness can fly a helicopter through a cut-out shape of a helicopter the same size as the helicopter and that's it's only skill and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/loneliness-can-fly-a-helicopter-through-a-cut-out-shape-of-a/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [Life has never died, which is something that I think people ignore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/life-has-never-died-which-is-something-that-i-think-people-ignore/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“Amoeba ass is so hot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/amoeba-ass-is-so-hot/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“After untangling a cord, then moving the MacBook to the floor, Paul lay beside Erin and meekly pawed her forearm three times, then briefly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/after-untangling-a-cord-then-moving-the-macbook-to-the-floor-paul-lay/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [“It was a face that said, “Fuck the world,” but said it reluctantly, and tonelessly, and then apologized, said “Sorry,” but said all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/it-was-a-face-that-said-fuck-the-world-but-said-it-reluctantly-and/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) [Explore all 133 Tao Lin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) ## More Cry tears quotes > [“I start to cry. Tears begin running down my face and quiet sobs escape me. I don't know what I'm doing and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-start-to-cry-tears-begin-running-down-my-face-and-quiet-sobs-escape/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [One day you'll see my love was true, one day you'll want me back. That day you'll cry tears of blue, but I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-day-you-ll-see-my-love-was-true-one-day-you-ll-want-me-back-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can cry tears of happiness, but not laugh in the face of sadness..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/you-can-cry-tears-of-happiness-but-not-laugh-in-the-face-of-sadness/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“Is it Weird I Want to Mail You a Lock of my Hair?   Well? Would you find it weird if I mailed you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-blair/is-it-weird-i-want-to-mail-you-a-lock-of-my-hair-well-would-you-find/) [Scott Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-blair/) > [I now have a little cry! Tears towash your face, I want to sober up a bit today!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/i-now-have-a-little-cry-tears-towash-your-face-i-want-to-sober-up-a/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [To weep is to make less the depth of grief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/to-weep-is-to-make-less-the-depth-of-grief/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“You can embark on new and steeper versions of your old sin, you know, and cry tears doing it that are genuine as any.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leif-enger/you-can-embark-on-new-and-steeper-versions-of-your-old-sin-you-know/) [Leif Enger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leif-enger/) > [“Every tear that I shed in pain of the grief gift of your love, I do not cry tears as if I am helpless.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sappho-khizar/every-tear-that-i-shed-in-pain-of-the-grief-gift-of-your-love-i-do/) [Sappho Khizar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sappho-khizar/) > [You cry tears when a man leaves you at any age - it doesn't matter whether you are 20 or 60.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-evans/you-cry-tears-when-a-man-leaves-you-at-any-age-it-doesn-t-matter/) [Linda Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-evans/) > [Little girl, little girl, why are you crying I cry tears of blood, my wounds weep for me. Im just not fucking fine, why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/little-girl-little-girl-why-are-you-crying-i-cry-tears-of-blood-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's okay to cry...tears are like liquid prayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/it-s-okay-to-cry-tears-are-like-liquid-prayers/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Only humans can cry tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/only-humans-can-cry-tears/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Whenever you're feeling sad, skip the parts where you listen to sad music, think of all the bad times, or watch a sad video.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haley-knight/whenever-you-re-feeling-sad-skip-the-parts-where-you-listen-to-sad/) [Haley Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haley-knight/) > [It is some relief to weep; grief is satisfied and carried off by tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-some-relief-to-weep-grief-is-satisfied-and-carried-off-by-tears/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [The safety-valves of the heart, when too much pressure is laid on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-richard-smith/the-safety-valves-of-the-heart-when-too-much-pressure-is-laid-on/) [Albert Richard Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-richard-smith/) [Browse all 30 Cry tears quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry-tears/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“that was bad; i shouldn't have done that to prevent you from entering a catatonic state i am going to maintain a calm facial expression with crinkly eyes and an overall friendly demeanor i believe in a human being that is not upset i believe if you are working i should not be insane or upset--why am i ever insane or upset and not working? i vacuumed the entire house this morning i cleaned the kitchen and the computer room and i made you a meat helmet with computer paper the opportunity for change exists in each moment, all moments are alone and separate from other moments, and there are a limited number of moments and the idea of change is a delusion of positive or negative thinking your hands are covering your face and your body moves like a statue when i try to manipulate an appendage if i could just get you to cry tears of joy one more time”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tao Lin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that-to-prevent-you-from-entering/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cry tears" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that-to-prevent-you-from-entering/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01b/tao-lin-3279_cry-tears_that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that_2973901.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“that was bad; i shouldn't have done that to prevent you from entering a catatonic state i am going to…” — Tao Lin", "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": "Tao Lin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“that was bad; i shouldn't have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that-to-prevent-you-from-entering/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/that-was-bad-i-shouldn-t-have-done-that-to-prevent-you-from-entering/#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 } } ] } ```