"I think it's still hard for me to turn down work if it's really good because for so many years I was so desperate to get a job and couldn't and so it's kind of an anathema for me to turn down work"

In this quote, Matt Damon reviews his past battles as a star and how it has shaped his frame of mind towards work. He admits that despite the fact that he has achieved success and recognition in his profession, he still finds it challenging to reject good job opportunities. This is because for several years, he faced rejection and was desperate for any task he might get. As a result, the concept of rejecting work breaks whatever he had to do to make it in the market. It is nearly like a foreign principle to him, hence the use of the word "anathema," which indicates something or somebody that is strongly done not like or avoided. This quote highlights the effect of past experiences on one's present actions and choices.