--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But instead of thinking about my book and…" description: "\"“But instead of thinking about my book and how to write it, as I go pacing the floor, I fall to counting my footsteps until I feel about to go mad.”\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f5/thomas-bernhard-3514_book_but-instead-of-thinking-about-my-book-an_2608198.jpg" --- # But instead of thinking about my book and how to write it… ![“But instead of thinking about my book and how to write it, as I go pacing the floor, I fall to counting my footsteps until I feel about to go mad.” quote by Thomas Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f5/thomas-bernhard-3514_book_but-instead-of-thinking-about-my-book-an_2608198.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f5/thomas-bernhard-3514_book_but-instead-of-thinking-about-my-book-an_2608198.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f5/thomas-bernhard-3514_book_but-instead-of-thinking-about-my-book-an_2608198.jpg) > ““But instead of thinking about my book and how to write it, as I go pacing the floor, I fall to counting my footsteps until I feel about to go mad.”” [Thomas Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bernhard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obsessive focus on writing leads to counting steps, causing mental strain and madness. **In simple terms:** Fixation on a task can become overwhelming. Key Takeaway Break tasks into manageable parts to avoid obsession. Themes obsession creativity mental health productivity Mood reflective humorous Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing sessions - project planning - stress reduction - focus techniques - mental health care Key Concepts psychology writing process mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How do you prevent fixation from harming you? - What breaks help you reset? A Different Perspective Creative work also requires rest and balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Counting Footsteps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counting-footsteps-2004230/) [Feel Mad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-mad-413231/) [Floor Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/floor-fall-2004228/) [Footsteps Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/footsteps-feel-2004231/) [Pacing Floor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pacing-floor-2004229/) ## Related quotes > [You've got to rise from the floor alone or fall back alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/you-ve-got-to-rise-from-the-floor-alone-or-fall-back-alone/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I love experimenting with make-up colours, using them in unique ways and doing wild things, because on a day-to-day basis, I sometimes feel mad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-bamber/i-love-experimenting-with-make-up-colours-using-them-in-unique-ways/) [Ellie Bamber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-bamber/) > [I feel, am mad as any writer must in one way be; why not make it real? 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