When we numb hard feelings, we numb joy… it’s a truth I’ve seen play out countless times. You can’t selectively shut down pain without also dimming your capacity for happiness. It’s an all-or-nothing system, and understanding this is the first step toward truly living a wholehearted life.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that our emotional system isn’t a series of separate dials we can adjust individually. It’s one master volume knob. When you turn down the difficult emotions—the grief, the fear, the vulnerability—you turn down everything.
Explanation
Here’s the thing most people miss. We think we’re being smart by building walls to keep out the bad stuff. But what actually happens is we end up living in a self-created, emotionally sterile room. Sure, the storms can’t get in, but neither can the sunlight. You can’t feel the deep, resonant joy or the profound gratitude because you’ve numbed the very receptors that allow you to feel anything intensely. It’s like taking a painkiller for a headache and wondering why your favorite meal tastes bland. The mechanism for feeling is the same. This is why the people who seem to feel the most joy are often the same ones who have the courage to feel the most pain. They’re not lucky; they’re open.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Emotion (177) |
| Topics | numbing (7) |
| Literary Style | minimalist (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | sobering (17), truthful (22) |
| Overall Quote Score | 80 (256) |
Origin & Factcheck
This is a direct quote from Brené Brown’s 2015 book, Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice. It’s a concept deeply rooted in her decades of research on vulnerability, shame, and courage. You won’t find this attributed correctly anywhere else—it’s pure Brené, born from her work in the United States, synthesizing years of qualitative data into this powerful, simple truth.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice (39) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | When we numb hard feelings, we numb joy, gratitude, and happiness too |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2017; ISBN: Unknown (based on her talk and workbook materials); Length: ~60 pages (lecture adaptation, Sounds True audio transcript). |
| Where is it? | Section: Emotions, Approximate Page 60 |