I am what I feel and think and do. I want to express my being as fully as I can because I somewhere picked up the idea that I could justify my being alive that way.
Meaning
Plath wrote this in a 1950 journal entry as a young woman wrestling with ambition and frustration. She frames self-worth as something built through honest expression, not perfection. Try ten minutes of journaling each day, writing what you truly feel and think without editing it for anyone.
Source: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath (2000)
About the author
(1932–1963) was an American poet and novelist known for her confessional style. Her works, including "The Bell Jar" and "Ariel," explore themes of identity, mental health, and creativity. Plath’s writing is deeply personal and emotionally intense. She received the Pulitzer Prize posthumously. Sylvia Plath’s influence continues in literature and feminist studies.
Related quotes
-
“Writing reveals truths that are often hidden beneath the surface.”
Meaning: This quote highlights how literature uncovers deeper meanings and emotions that may not be obvious. -
“Writing is a way of living.”
Meaning: For writers, storytelling is not just a profession but a way of experiencing life. -
“If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way.”
Meaning: Heaney suggests that expression and communication can help navigate challenges. Language allows clarity, problem-solving, and connection. -
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.”
Meaning: Life should be lived fully and creatively, embracing its beauty. -
“Poetry is what happens when nothing else can.”
Meaning: Poetry captures emotions and truths that cannot be expressed through ordinary language. -
“She walks in beauty, like the night.”
Meaning: A poetic expression of graceful and serene beauty. -
“To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”
Meaning: Emotion and passion matter more than technical perfection. -
“Every person is special.”
Meaning: Each individual has unique talents and value. Respecting individuality helps build confidence and self-worth. -
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”
Meaning: She encourages authenticity and self-acceptance. There is no need to conform or rush; true value lies in being genuine. -
“Art expresses what words alone cannot fully capture.”
Meaning: It emphasizes that art has the ability to communicate deep emotions and ideas that may be difficult to explain through language.