Amanda Lovelace’s “The Princess Saves Herself in This One” is a modern poetry collection that resonates with many readers for its raw emotion, honesty, and empowering messages. Here are 30 of the most insightful and thought-provoking quotes from this remarkable book, each followed by a brief interpretation.
“Ah, life – the thing that happens to us while we’re off somewhere else blowing on dandelions & wishing ourselves into the pages of our favorite fairy tales.”
Life is not a wish-granting factory; it’s a journey that unfolds while we’re busy making other plans. This quote is a gentle reminder to live in the present and engage fully with the reality of our lives, rather than getting lost in daydreams and fairy tales.
“A princess doesn’t need a prince to rescue her. She can rescue herself.”
Empowerment is the cornerstone of this quote. Lovelace beautifully emphasizes that we don’t need to wait for someone else to save us – we have the strength to save ourselves.
“I am the dragon breathing fire.”
This quote brims with self-confidence and defiance. It portrays the transformation from a damsel in distress to a dragon, a powerful creature capable of defending itself and breathing fire against obstacles.
“My name is not a warning, but a war cry.”
This quote reflects the reclaiming of personal identity. It’s not a premonition of danger, but a bold declaration of strength and resilience, a battle cry that announces one’s will to fight and survive.
“She was a princess, sure. But she was also a warrior.”
Lovelace cleverly dismantles the traditional image of a princess. She suggests that femininity and strength are not mutually exclusive, and a princess can also be a warrior.
“I am the princess. I am the dragon.”
In this quote, Lovelace merges the princess and the dragon, traditionally seen as opposites. It signifies that one person can embody both vulnerability and strength, both gentleness and fierceness.
“Silence has always been my loudest scream.”
This poignant quote reflects on the power of silence. Sometimes, silence can convey more than words, serving as a cry for help or a marker of inner turmoil.
“You can’t make homes out of human beings.”
This quote is a powerful reminder that we shouldn’t anchor our entire existence or happiness on another person. People change and leave, and our sense of home should come from within us.
“I didn’t leave because I stopped loving you. I left because the longer I stayed, the less I loved myself.”
This quote speaks to the importance of self-love and self-preservation, even in the face of a once-cherished relationship. It is a testament that sometimes, leaving is necessary for personal growth and self-respect.
“She was the princess who saved herself.”
This quote encapsulates the entire theme of the book – self-rescue. It extols the power of self-reliance and celebrates the princess who takes the initiative to save herself.
“I am more than my scars.”
In this quote, Lovelace communicates that we are more than the trials and tribulations we’ve encountered. Our scars don’t define us; it’s how we rise above them that truly shapes our identity.
“I am made of water, of course I’m emotional.”
This quote is a validation of emotions. It’s a reminder that being emotional isn’t a weakness. Just as water is vital for life, so are our feelings for our humanity.
“The only thing required to be a woman is to identify as one.”
In this quote, Lovelace upholds the idea of self-identification. She asserts that one’s gender identity isn’t determined by biological factors or societal expectations but by how one identifies oneself.
“There is no bigger illusion in the world than the idea that a woman will bring dishonor into a home if she tries to keep her heart & her body safe.”
Lovelace challenges traditional notions about honor and women’s rights in this quote. She underscores that a woman’s quest for safety and self-preservation doesn’t tarnish a home’s honor.
“Repeat after me: you owe no one your forgiveness.”
This quote is a powerful declaration of personal boundaries. It emphasizes that forgiveness is a personal choice, not an obligation. We have the right to choose whom we forgive and when.
“I am a lioness who is no longer afraid to let the world hear her roar.”
In this quote, Lovelace paints a picture of a woman who has found her voice and is not afraid to use it. It’s an empowering call to action for all women to stand up and make their voices heard.
“You are your own person capable of making your own decisions & forming your own beliefs.”
This quote is a reaffirmation of individuality and personal autonomy. Lovelace encourages us to trust in our ability to make decisions and form beliefs independently.
“You don’t need another person, place or thing to make you whole. You are already are.”
Here, Lovelace imparts the wisdom that wholeness comes from within. We shouldn’t rely on external factors for our sense of completeness; we are already whole just as we are.
“Repeat after me: my body is not a temple. My body is not a place to visit. My body is not for public use.”
This quote is a powerful statement about bodily autonomy. It challenges the notion of bodies, especially women’s bodies, as public space or property, asserting that every individual has exclusive rights over their own body.
“How alike we are, her & I – both given unfair names by people who found us too bold for their liking.”
This quote draws a parallel between the writer and the reader, uniting those who’ve been deemed too bold or too loud. It’s a testament to the shared experiences of women who refuse to be silenced.
“I hope you find something in this world that makes you quake with joy.”
This quote is a beautiful wish for everyone to find their passion, something that fills them with immense joy and happiness. It’s a reminder that life is meant to be filled with joyous moments that make our hearts tremble.
“I am mine before I am ever anyone else’s.”
Here, Lovelace emphasizes the importance of self-ownership. Before we can belong to anyone else, in any capacity, we must first belong to ourselves, recognizing and affirming our worth.
“There is no right way to love your body.”
This quote highlights that body love doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s a personal journey, and every individual has their unique way of loving and accepting their bodies.
“The only thing you need to be is okay with yourself.”
In this quote, Lovelace urges us to seek self-acceptance above everything else. It’s a vital reminder that being comfortable in our skin and being okay with who we are is what truly matters.
“If you bleed, you are not broken. You are simply alive.”
This quote resonates with the notion that pain and suffering are part of being alive. It encourages us to accept our wounds, not as signs of brokenness, but as evidence of our humanity and our capacity to heal.
“You are allowed to be both soft & fierce.”
In this quote, Lovelace disrupts the dichotomy between softness and fierceness. She asserts that we can embody gentleness and strength simultaneously, reflecting the complexity and multidimensionality of human nature.
“You are a damn warrior, you have survived every single day so far.”
This quote is a powerful affirmation of personal strength and resilience. It’s a reminder that surviving each day, especially the difficult ones, is a testament to our warrior spirit.
“You are allowed to outgrow certain parts of your life.”
This quote acknowledges that growth often involves leaving certain things behind. It’s a gentle reminder that outgrowing phases, relationships, or habits is a natural part of life’s journey.
“You are the love you deserve.”
Here, Lovelace reminds us that we are deserving of love, just as we are. It’s a call to recognize and affirm our worth, reminding us that we deserve the same love we freely give to others.
“You are worth more than who you attract.”
This quote emphasizes that our worth is independent of who we attract or who is attracted to us. Our value is inherent and does not change based on the approval or attraction of others.
“You deserve the world even if it means giving it to yourself.”
This final quote is a powerful reminder that self-love isn’t just about acceptance; it’s about treating ourselves with the kindness, respect, and love we deserve, even if it means we have to give it to ourselves.
Each of these quotes from “The Princess Saves Herself in This One” offers a resonance of strength, self-love, and resilience. They serve as reminders that we are the heroes of our own stories, capable of saving ourselves and deserving of all the love and joy in the world.