--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The gawking is something that shouldn’t…" description: "\"“The gawking is something that shouldn’t still irk me after this long in a wheelchair, but it does. It’s also what keeps me from wanting to do anything..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/xavier-neal-39750_feelings-of-inadequa_the-gawking-is-something-that-shouldn-t_2480876.jpg" --- # The gawking is something that shouldn’t still irk me after… ![“The gawking is something that shouldn’t still irk me after this long in a wheelchair, but it does. It’s also what keeps me from wanting to do anything outside the house. It’s hard enough being treated less than equal. Being stared at like you’re a freak only amplifies the feelings of inadequacy.” quote by Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/xavier-neal-39750_feelings-of-inadequa_the-gawking-is-something-that-shouldn-t_2480876.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/xavier-neal-39750_feelings-of-inadequa_the-gawking-is-something-that-shouldn-t_2480876.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68b/xavier-neal-39750_feelings-of-inadequa_the-gawking-is-something-that-shouldn-t_2480876.jpg) > ““The gawking is something that shouldn’t still irk me after this long in a wheelchair, but it does. It’s also what keeps me from wanting to do anything outside the house. It’s hard enough being treated less than equal. Being stared at like you’re a freak only amplifies the feelings of inadequacy.”” [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) ## 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 feels self‑conscious and limited by others’ stares, which intensifies feelings of inadequacy despite long‑term disability. **In simple terms:** Stares make the speaker feel inadequate and isolated. Key Takeaway Seek environments that reduce judgment and build confidence. Themes disability self‑esteem social perception isolation Mood reflective determined hopeful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - public spaces - social interactions - therapy - peer support Key Concepts psychology stigma self‑worth Questions to Reflect On - How can you create safe spaces for yourself? - What steps reduce self‑judgment? A Different Perspective Even without stares, internalized stigma can persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feelings of inadequacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-of-inadequacy/) [Wheelchair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wheelchair/) ## Related quotes > [“It takes talent to be a gawking hot mess, and I am a gawking hot mess to the third power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cora-carmack/it-takes-talent-to-be-a-gawking-hot-mess-and-i-am-a-gawking-hot-mess/) [Cora Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cora-carmack/) > [“If we could learn to look instead of gawking, We'd see the horror in the heart of farce, If only we could act instead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/if-we-could-learn-to-look-instead-of-gawking-we-d-see-the-horror-in/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“Bringing her eyes down again, Catherine found herself gawking at Jake’s perfectly formed, muscular chest and stomach. She felt her cheeks flush when she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-merrill-wigginton/bringing-her-eyes-down-again-catherine-found-herself-gawking-at-jake/) [Diane Merrill Wigginton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-merrill-wigginton/) > [“He's gawking at me when I open the door. "Damn girl," he says, looking me over, "what the hell are you trying to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/he-s-gawking-at-me-when-i-open-the-door-damn-girl-he-says-looking-me/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) > [“Gawk? What is gawk?" he asked. "You tell me. You're the one that does it." I said... "My definition of gawking would be..." He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-apodaca/gawk-what-is-gawk-he-asked-you-tell-me-you-re-the-one-that-does-it-i/) [Deb Apodaca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-apodaca/) > [Gawking at one-time celebrities who, for whatever reason, end up performing jobs our culture deems a mark of failure is gross, but hardly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-cupp/gawking-at-one-time-celebrities-who-for-whatever-reason-end-up/) [S.E. Cupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-cupp/) > [“My definition of gawking would be when you look at her, your heart starts slamming uncontrollably in your chest. So much that it scares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-apodaca/my-definition-of-gawking-would-be-when-you-look-at-her-your-heart/) [Deb Apodaca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-apodaca/) > [“GAWKING IS A LOOK stronger than a stare. The gawk was full of brazen curiosity, pity, and fear, every unattractive human emotion rolled into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-patchett/gawking-is-a-look-stronger-than-a-stare-the-gawk-was-full-of-brazen/) [Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/) > [“I’m not ashamed to admit I partake in an unhealthy amount of gawking when the man transfers about. Whether or not he’s naked, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-arcane/i-m-not-ashamed-to-admit-i-partake-in-an-unhealthy-amount-of-gawking/) [Annie Arcane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-arcane/) > [“When the first force, social feeling and community expectation, is ignored or affronted, the person concerned will reveal certain aggressive character traits: vanity, ambition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-butler-bowdon/when-the-first-force-social-feeling-and-community-expectation-is/) [Tom Butler-Bowdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-butler-bowdon/) > [“When you see yourself as a work-in-progress, you’re automatically less likely to experience feelings of inadequacy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-young/when-you-see-yourself-as-a-work-in-progress-you-re-automatically-less/) [Valerie Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-young/) > [“If you experience feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, your poor self-image may keep you from exploring your social self and getting to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/if-you-experience-feelings-of-inadequacy-and-low-self-esteem-your/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“Perhaps J. P. Morgan did as a child have very severe feelings of inadequacy, perhaps his father did believe that he would not amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perhaps-j-p-morgan-did-as-a-child-have-very-severe-feelings-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Journalism is an extraordinary and terrible privilege. Not by chance, if you are aware of it, does it consume you with a hundred feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/journalism-is-an-extraordinary-and-terrible-privilege-not-by-chance/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) ## More by Xavier Neal > [“Maria let it slip she was hoping the eatable anal cream would make it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/maria-let-it-slip-she-was-hoping-the-eatable-anal-cream-would-make-it/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“Ford drops his attention down to me. “And Darlin’ I’m always aware when you’re in the room. I know when a chunk of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/ford-drops-his-attention-down-to-me-and-darlin-i-m-always-aware-when/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“After all, what sits in the dark will eventually fuck you up in the light if you let it.               “Thanks”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/after-all-what-sits-in-the-dark-will-eventually-fuck-you-up-in-the/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“I had to brush my teeth in the car with a stick of gum and a tic-tac I found.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/i-had-to-brush-my-teeth-in-the-car-with-a-stick-of-gum-and-a-tic-tac/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“I begin attempting to crush the impure thoughts when Ford asks, “Are you barbequin’?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/i-begin-attempting-to-crush-the-impure-thoughts-when-ford-asks-are/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“All books matter,” she assures and redirects her attention. “All books. Fiction. Non-fiction. How Tos and Self Help manuals. All books serve a purpose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/all-books-matter-she-assures-and-redirects-her-attention-all-books/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“Oh, and Ollie?” His voice darts my eyes up to see him stopped in the door frame. “Never and I mean never leave without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/oh-and-ollie-his-voice-darts-my-eyes-up-to-see-him-stopped-in-the/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“My mother’s eyes narrow and her plate filled hands start shaking. “The devil is alive…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/my-mother-s-eyes-narrow-and-her-plate-filled-hands-start-shaking-the/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“Ford Bradley Shaw, there’s about to be dust in the wind if your ass doesn’t explain to me right the hell now why that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/ford-bradley-shaw-there-s-about-to-be-dust-in-the-wind-if-your-ass/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) > [“The force of the gasp torn from me causes my knees to debilitate me. He barely lifts his eyes during his suggestion, “You may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-neal/the-force-of-the-gasp-torn-from-me-causes-my-knees-to-debilitate-me/) [Xavier Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) [Explore all 11 Xavier Neal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-neal/) ## More Feelings of inadequacy quotes > [“Beware of people – who underestimate others because of their feelings of inadequacy – when confronted with them, avoid taking it personally.” “লোকদের থেকে সাবধান থাকুন- যারা তাদের অপর্যাপ্ততার অনুভূতির কারণে অন্যদের অবমূল্যায়ন করে- যখন তাদের সাথে মুখোমুখি হন – ব্যক্তিগতভাবে নেওয়া এড়িয়ে চলুন।”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mozammel-khan/beware-of-people-who-underestimate-others-because-of-their-feelings/) Mozammel Khan > [Journalism is an extraordinary and terrible privilege. Not by chance, if you are aware of it, does it consume you with a hundred feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/journalism-is-an-extraordinary-and-terrible-privilege-not-by-chance/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [“Perhaps J. P. Morgan did as a child have very severe feelings of inadequacy, perhaps his father did believe that he would not amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perhaps-j-p-morgan-did-as-a-child-have-very-severe-feelings-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you experience feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, your poor self-image may keep you from exploring your social self and getting to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/if-you-experience-feelings-of-inadequacy-and-low-self-esteem-your/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“When you see yourself as a work-in-progress, you’re automatically less likely to experience feelings of inadequacy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-young/when-you-see-yourself-as-a-work-in-progress-you-re-automatically-less/) [Valerie Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-young/) > [“When the first force, social feeling and community expectation, is ignored or affronted, the person concerned will reveal certain aggressive character traits: vanity, ambition,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-butler-bowdon/when-the-first-force-social-feeling-and-community-expectation-is/) [Tom Butler-Bowdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-butler-bowdon/) > [“to have poor shame tolerance. They learned in childhood to manage feelings of inadequacy by adopting unhealthy coping mechanisms to forestall or avoid shaming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bandy-x-lee/to-have-poor-shame-tolerance-they-learned-in-childhood-to-manage/) [Bandy X Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bandy-x-lee/) > [Advertisers in general bear a large part of the responsibility for the deep feelings of inadequacy that drive women to psychiatrists, pills, or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-mannes/advertisers-in-general-bear-a-large-part-of-the-responsibility-for/) [Marya Mannes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-mannes/) > [“When you acknowledge your limits and your needs, you will break free of the cycle of stress and your feelings of inadequacy will diminish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inbar-shahar/when-you-acknowledge-your-limits-and-your-needs-you-will-break-free/) Inbar Shahar > [Stop comparing where youre at with where everyone else is. It doesn't move you farther ahead, improve your situation, or help you find peace.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-comparing-where-youre-at-with-where-everyone-else-is-it-doesn-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Recognizing that parental responsibility is insufficient for successful child-rearing, but still not conscious of the role of attachment, many experts assume the problem must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/recognizing-that-parental-responsibility-is-insufficient-for/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [“When life beats us down, we often do not feel worthwhile to ourselves nor to anyone else. Often, we try to hide our feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/when-life-beats-us-down-we-often-do-not-feel-worthwhile-to-ourselves/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [Money is part of how we move through the world, what stores and restaurants we go into, whether we take a train to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akhil-sharma/money-is-part-of-how-we-move-through-the-world-what-stores-and/) [Akhil Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akhil-sharma/) > [Some build their sense of personal worth by comparing themselves to others. That approach can lead to feelings of inadequacy or superiority. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/some-build-their-sense-of-personal-worth-by-comparing-themselves-to/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [Scholarship has the same relationship to wisdom as righteousness has to holiness: it is cold and dry, it is loveless and knows nodeep feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/scholarship-has-the-same-relationship-to-wisdom-as-righteousness-has/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) [Browse all 35 Feelings of inadequacy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-of-inadequacy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The gawking is something that shouldn’t still irk me after this long in a wheelchair, but it does. It’s also what keeps me from wanting to do anything outside the house. It’s hard enough being treated less than equal. 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