"I need to do things on my own, need to be left alone"
About this Quote
Coming from Henry Rollins, the subtext isnt abstract introversion. Its work ethic, discipline, and the bruised history of punk: a scene built on DIY self-reliance and distrust of institutions, where dependence can look like weakness and community can still feel claustrophobic. Rollins persona has long been the guy who outworks his demons, who turns anger into reps, pages, miles. "Do things on my own" reads like a vow to build a life without permission. "Need to be left alone" admits the cost: connection is not rejected because it is meaningless, but because it can be destabilizing, distracting, or invasive.
The line also carries the friction between autonomy and intimacy. It can be heard as a preemptive defense against being managed, misunderstood, or softened by other peoples expectations. That tension is the engine: self-creation requires isolation, but isolation can harden into armor. Rollins makes the armor audible, and thats why it lands. The quote is less a mood than a posture - one that reflects an era of overstimulation, while keeping punks older lesson intact: if you want something real, you might have to make it alone.
Quote Details
| Topic | Self-Improvement |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Rollins, Henry. (2026, January 17). I need to do things on my own, need to be left alone. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-need-to-do-things-on-my-own-need-to-be-left-31462/
Chicago Style
Rollins, Henry. "I need to do things on my own, need to be left alone." FixQuotes. January 17, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-need-to-do-things-on-my-own-need-to-be-left-31462/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"I need to do things on my own, need to be left alone." FixQuotes, 17 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-need-to-do-things-on-my-own-need-to-be-left-31462/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.





