You know, that line “Do not apologize for feeling things” hits differently when you really sit with it. It’s a simple but profound reminder that our emotions aren’t flaws to be fixed. They’re the very proof we’re engaged with life, not just passively watching it go by.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
The core message is that emotional vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s the fundamental signature of a life being fully lived.
Explanation
Look, I’ve worked with so many people over the years who see their feelings as a problem to be solved. Anger, sadness, even overwhelming joy—they immediately want to qualify it, explain it away, or say “sorry” for having it. But this quote flips that entire script on its head. It reframes our emotional landscape not as a messy inconvenience but as the dashboard of our humanity. When you feel things deeply, you’re in the game. You’re not numb. And that, frankly, is the whole point. The alternative is a kind of emotional anesthesia, and who wants that?
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Emotion (177) |
| Topics | authenticity (101), expression (22), vulnerability (47) |
| Literary Style | direct (414) |
| Emotion / Mood | compassionate (35), honest (52), reassuring (55) |
| Overall Quote Score | 81 (258) |
Origin & Factcheck
This comes straight from Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. It’s a key piece of wisdom she gathers on her journey. You’ll sometimes see it floating around the internet unattached, but its true home is in that book, born from that specific narrative of self-discovery.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Elizabeth Gilbert (39) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (39) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Elizabeth Gilbert writes with clarity and heart about creativity, love, and self-discovery. After starting in magazines like GQ and The New York Times Magazine, she published Pilgrims, then broke out with Eat Pray Love, followed by Committed, The Signature of All Things, Big Magic, and City of Girls. Her 2009 TED Talk on creativity went viral and continues to inspire makers worldwide. She splits time between writing, speaking, and mentoring creative communities. For a full view of her work, see the
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Do not apologize for feeling things. That’s how you know you’re alive |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2006; ISBN: 978-0-670-03471-0; Last edition: Penguin Books, 2010; Number of pages: 334. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 63, Indonesia section, Approximate page 229 from 2010 edition |