Natalie Goldberg Quotes

We are as sick as our secrets, so I tell everything.

You know the expression, 'You're only as sick as your secrets?' I believe that, and I think I try to have my work live by that to a degree.

I just feel compelled to continue to be transparent. It just really levels the playing field and eradicates the shame that I have, or that one might have, about being human. So I'm going to just keep going.

Concealing what is shameful to you will never lead to anything of value.

Shame cannot survive being spoken. It cannot tolerate having words wrapped around it. What it craves is secrecy, silence, and judgment. If you stay quiet, you stay in a lot of self-judgment.

You're only as sick as your secrets.

I'm very free with all my emotions, whether it's happy, sad, mad, glad, whatever.

I'm a very open person, very self-deprecating. I accept my flaws.

Life is just more comfortable if you're honest and open about everything. I spent so many years being in the closet about one thing or another.

Never be ashamed of what or how you feel... just be honest.

Let us speak, though we show all our faults and weaknesses, - for it is a sign of strength to be weak, to know it, and out with it - not in a set way and ostentatiously, though, but incidentally and without premeditation.

It wasn't my choice to be an open book, but when people found out what my life was like when I was 14 or 15, I didn't deny it. I think the more imperfect you are, the more human you are.

I try to be thoughtful when I speak but not edited. I make mistakes, but people like vulnerability.

Growing up, I felt like I couldn't talk about certain things until I had the outlets to do so. Once you're able to be honest and say things as they are, it removes this crazy stigma and fear around it.

Self-deprecating humor and brutal honesty is a really freeing thing.

To me, I don't think it does anybody any good to just hide something or cover it up or lie or whatever. I think ... that's what being a role model is all about. It's not about being perfect. It's about speaking about your issues and inspiring others to get help.

Once in a while it happens that I vomit up a bunny... it's not reason for one to blush and isolate oneself and to walk around keeping one's mouth shut.

I do believe you're only as sick as your secrets.

I don't like people who hide things. We're not perfect, we all have things that people might not like to see, and I like to show my faults.

I spent a lot of my life holding back my cries, and I want to change that because it's not good for me.

I'm pretty transparent and have no problem sharing my weaknesses.

The more honest you can be, the less you have to hide... when I have nothing to hide, I have everything to give.

I personally have a philosophy around authenticity and vulnerability.

When you feel good is when you're not afraid to feel the worst.

There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.