--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She hovered above the mental abyss, kept…" description: "\"“She hovered above the mental abyss, kept from falling by force of will. Shut out the world by descending into darkness, the closest she could get to p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/taylor-stevens-20272_darkness_she-hovered-above-the-mental-abyss-kept_2872914.jpg" --- # She hovered above the mental abyss, kept from falling by… ![“She hovered above the mental abyss, kept from falling by force of will. Shut out the world by descending into darkness, the closest she could get to putting herself into suspended animation while she waited for time to pass, waited to take matters into her own hands and either through her own…” quote by Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/taylor-stevens-20272_darkness_she-hovered-above-the-mental-abyss-kept_2872914.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/taylor-stevens-20272_darkness_she-hovered-above-the-mental-abyss-kept_2872914.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/taylor-stevens-20272_darkness_she-hovered-above-the-mental-abyss-kept_2872914.jpg) > ““She hovered above the mental abyss, kept from falling by force of will. Shut out the world by descending into darkness, the closest she could get to putting herself into suspended animation while she waited for time to pass, waited to take matters into her own hands and either through her own death or someone else’s put an end to this misery forever.”” [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A protagonist uses willpower to hover above despair, seeking control over time and a decisive end to suffering. **In simple terms:** She clings to will to avoid sinking into darkness. Key Takeaway Use will to steer through crisis. Themes despair willpower control self‑sacrifice Mood tense determined Type literary psychological When to use this quote - personal crisis - mental health - decision making - coping strategies Key Concepts existentialism psychology agency Questions to Reflect On - What does “suspended animation” symbolize for you? - How can will be balanced with external support? A Different Perspective Will alone may not overcome external forces. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“With our collective shock, what we saw seemed to be frozen into a state of suspended animation. Indelibly etched into our memories in terror,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-nestor/with-our-collective-shock-what-we-saw-seemed-to-be-frozen-into-a/) [Alfred Nestor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-nestor/) > [What do I mean when I say 'suspended animation'? It is the process by which animals de-animate, appear dead and then can wake up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-roth/what-do-i-mean-when-i-say-suspended-animation-it-is-the-process-by/) [Mark Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-roth/) > [Usually when I mention suspended animation, people will flash me the Vulcan sign and laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-roth/usually-when-i-mention-suspended-animation-people-will-flash-me-the/) [Mark Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-roth/) > [No movement can afford to be caught in a time warp and exist in a state of suspended animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-bikel/no-movement-can-afford-to-be-caught-in-a-time-warp-and-exist-in-a/) [Theodore Bikel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-bikel/) > [If you look in the animal world, many, many organisms will enter into states of suspended animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-roth/if-you-look-in-the-animal-world-many-many-organisms-will-enter-into/) [Mark Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-roth/) > [Tidiness makes me think of held breath, of suspended animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/tidiness-makes-me-think-of-held-breath-of-suspended-animation/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Isn't it funny, she thinks, that this suspended animation is as much a part of life as every other day. Somehow, waiting here feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-battershill/isn-t-it-funny-she-thinks-that-this-suspended-animation-is-as-much-a/) Claire Battershill > [My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smedley-butler/my-mental-faculties-remained-in-suspended-animation-while-i-obeyed-2/) [Smedley Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smedley-butler/) > [My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smedley-butler/my-mental-faculties-remained-in-suspended-animation-while-i-obeyed/) [Smedley Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smedley-butler/) > [If you look out at nature, you find that as you tend to see suspended animation, you tend to see immortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-look-out-at-nature-you-find-that-as-you-tend-to-see-suspended/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) ## More by Taylor Stevens > [“With a boot on his chest, she used her free hand to search for the syringe he surely carried. Found it. Jabbed it into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/with-a-boot-on-his-chest-she-used-her-free-hand-to-search-for-the/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Welcome to the world of difficult choices. You’re doing a brave thing, Neeva, but it only counts if the ones you love know you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/welcome-to-the-world-of-difficult-choices-you-re-doing-a-brave-thing/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Bradford paused and his expression shadowed. He pulled her back and held her tight. Whispered, “Don’t say it, okay? I know what’s coming and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/bradford-paused-and-his-expression-shadowed-he-pulled-her-back-and/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Why are you dressed as a man?" Neeva said. "Why do you act like..." She paused. "Why do you act like... like one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/why-are-you-dressed-as-a-man-neeva-said-why-do-you-act-like-she/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“The aloneness. The invisible walls. Always the outsider looking in. Different. Unusual. I despise their world and the superficiality of it all and yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/the-aloneness-the-invisible-walls-always-the-outsider-looking-in/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Do not let her hear your language, the source had said, she will use language as a weapon. Keep the area around her free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/do-not-let-her-hear-your-language-the-source-had-said-she-will-use/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“One foot in front of the other, more aimless than direct, Bradford left the waiting room for the outside world. Called for a taxi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/one-foot-in-front-of-the-other-more-aimless-than-direct-bradford-left/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Lumani had never managed a failed delivery because, in the end, no matter how skilled or how hard they fought back, pressure applied in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/lumani-had-never-managed-a-failed-delivery-because-in-the-end-no/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Clothing, hair, shoes, accessories: these were props, visual cues, that people used to filter information and make instant assessments out of random connections, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/clothing-hair-shoes-accessories-these-were-props-visual-cues-that/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [Duct tape. Perfect weapon; so many uses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/duct-tape-perfect-weapon-so-many-uses/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“This doll-guy situation is an extreme of what I deal with in everyday life, where men believe that what they want I want, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/this-doll-guy-situation-is-an-extreme-of-what-i-deal-with-in-everyday/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“She felt invisible shackles snaking around her wrists and ankles, took a deep breath and said……”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/she-felt-invisible-shackles-snaking-around-her-wrists-and-ankles-took/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“... people were inevitably superficial and reacted differently to poison when it was aesthetically pleasing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/people-were-inevitably-superficial-and-reacted-differently-to-poison/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“This was home: running along a razor's edge of self-induced terror, calculating mortality against probability. Assignments were the reprieve. When she was abroad, although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/this-was-home-running-along-a-razor-s-edge-of-self-induced-terror/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) > [“Hope. The activity of the impotent. His was a world of action, of relying on his own wits and ability to create the luck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-stevens/hope-the-activity-of-the-impotent-his-was-a-world-of-action-of/) [Taylor Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) [Explore all 31 Taylor Stevens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-stevens/) ## More Darkness quotes > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I promise to respect and protect your aloneness, knowing that everything created must have its period of darkness: child and bulb, poem and personality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/i-promise-to-respect-and-protect-your-aloneness-knowing-that/) [anne morrow lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The beauty of darkness is how it lets you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/the-beauty-of-darkness-is-how-it-lets-you-see/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Even in darkness your lips taste of sunshine”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/even-in-darkness-your-lips-taste-of-sunshine/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [“Life is like coffee, the darker it gets, the more it energizes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankita-singhal/life-is-like-coffee-the-darker-it-gets-the-more-it-energizes/) [Ankita Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankita-singhal/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) Nicole Gentile [Browse all 8,219 Darkness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She hovered above the mental abyss, kept from falling by force of will. 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