What These 12 Famous Quotes Really Mean (And How to Apply Them)

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Cluttered Desk Art: Accidental Renaissance "Tired But Trying" Aesthetic
Cluttered Desk Art: Accidental Renaissance "Tired But Trying" Aesthetic

Why I’m Qualified to Talk About This (I’m Not)

Look, I’m no philosopher. Last week I cried because my avocado was too ripe. But after seeing that one quote reposted by my ex’s new partner (rude), I realized we all pretend to understand famous quotes way more than we actually do.

Take “Carpe Diem.” For years I thought it meant “live fast die young” until I Googled it at 3AM and wow, turns out Horace wasn’t telling teenagers to vape behind the 7-Eleven.


1. “The Journey Is the Destination” – Some Hiker Probably

What I Thought It Meant:

“Enjoy being lost and miserable!” (Said by people whose “journeys” involve Instagrammable Bali retreats.)

What It Actually Means:

The time you spend figuring stuff out is where the real growth happens. Like when I tried baking sourdough during lockdown and produced what scientists later classified as a new form of cement.

How I Applied It Wrong:

  • Got mad when my first podcast episode had 3 listens (my mom, my cat, a bot)
  • Almost gave up entirely

How To Actually Apply It:

  • Celebrate terrible first drafts (saved mine here to shame myself into improving)
  • Track progress monthly – my 10th episode got *7* whole listens!
Sourdough Fail & Journey Poster: A Baking Reality Check
Sourdough Fail & Journey Poster: A Baking Reality Check

2. “Money Can’t Buy Happiness” – Rich People

What Privileged Folks Think It Means:

“You poor peasants are spiritually richer!” (Said while sipping $25 cold brew.)

The Ugly Truth:

Money can buy happiness up to about $75k/year (science says so). After that? It buys comfort, which we confuse for happiness.

My Glaring Hypocrisy:

  • Tweeted this quote in 2019
  • Same day spent $80 on a candle that smelled like “unfulfilled potential”

How To Actually Use This Quote:

  • Budget for experiences over stuff (my “regret candle” vs. $80 concert tickets)
  • Recognize when you’re using shopping as therapy (75% of my H&M purchases)
Dumb Purchases Receipt Art: Sharpie Regret Quote
Dumb Purchases Receipt Art: Sharpie Regret Quote

3. “Love Yourself First” – Every Influencer Ever

The Toxic Interpretation:

“Be 100% healed before dating!” (Meanwhile, the person who posted this is on their 5th situationship this month.)

The Messy Reality:

You learn to love yourself through relationships too. My breakthrough came when a date said “You apologize too much” and I cried in the Uber home.

How To Apply This Without Losing Your Mind:

  • Date while aware of your flaws, not “perfect”
  • Keep a “WTF?” journal of patterns (turns out I attract emotionally unavailable men because I was emotionally unavailable – plot twist!)

Final Thoughts: We’re All Hypocrites (And That’s Okay)

The secret no one tells you? You’ll misapply these quotes constantly. I once used “YOLO” to justify getting bangs. Twice.

Try This Instead:

  1. Pick one famous quotes that stings a little
  2. Apply it badly
  3. Learn why you failed
  4. Repeat forever

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go re-read my own advice and still probably ignore it.


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