Quote Of The Day By Amy Poehler: 'Being In Love Is The Worst...'

If you've ever listened to Amy Poehler's podcast, "Good Hang with Amy Poehler," you know that not only does she have a way of telling stories that make you laugh uncontrollably, but she also has a gift for dropping heartfelt wisdom when you least expect it. She's truly got a way with people and words, and it's a craft she's been honing for decades. 

The Golden Globe-winning entertainer was born Amy Meredith Poehler in Newton, Massachusetts in 1971 to educators. It wasn't until the '90s, when she was attending Boston College, that she realized she enjoyed comedy. She was an active member of the campus improv group My Mother's Fleabag throughout her undergraduate career. After graduation, she made Chicago her home so she could do a deeper dive into the city's famous improv scene. It was also where her paths would cross with Tina Fey, and together they'd become an unstoppable comedy duo. Poehler worked hard and trained under comedy legends and even co-founded the revolutionary comedy group the Upright Citizens Brigade.

All of this hard work and momentum eventually led her to the doors of SNL in 2001, and the rest is truly history. And while Poehler's superpower might seem to be making people laugh, she's also always spreading love and authenticity everywhere she goes. 

Amy Poehler once said, "Being in love is the worst. I mean it's the best, but it's so hard and scary to open your heart to someone ... But the point is, vulnerability is the key to happiness. Vulnerable people are powerful people." Poehler shared this with a fan during a 2013 "Ask Amy" segment on her Smart Girls YouTube channel. The fan wanted Poehler's advice, as she always felt like she was fighting her own feelings after falling in love. 

The award-winning comedian didn't hesitate for a moment to agree that falling in love can absolutely be terrifying. She also validated the fan's worries and fears, and said that fighting those feelings is only natural as humans. Poehler encouraged her viewers to let their guard down and be vulnerable, because that's where real strength lies. 

It's human nature to wonder about the path not taken. "What if?" is a question that plays on an endless loop in our minds. So, when it comes to love, letting fear dictate your choices means you're ending the story before it even gets a chance to write itself. That's the message Amy Poehler reminded us of when she totally flipped the script on being vulnerable. Her message is a reminder that you can build the strongest walls to guard your heart, but those same walls can also keep out the joy, connection, and love you were seeking in the first place. 

Poehler wanted people to know that having an open heart is an immense strength. Taking off that heavy armor and making space to give and receive love in a vulnerable way is an act of bravery. In a June 2025 episode of Poehler's podcast, she dove into this exact concept while having a conversation with actor Dakota Johnson. The comedian acknowledged that relationships shift and shape us in a good way, but they are an ongoing series of compromises. "Sometimes it's a trade-off. Like, I get this thing, but I don't get this thing," she shared (via TikTok). To get to where you ultimately want to be, you accept that give-and-take nature of opening your heart to someone.

• "It's easier to be brave when you're not alone."
• "I know enough now to know I know nothing." 
• "Too often we women try to tackle chaos that is not ours to fix." 
• "Continue to share your heart with people even if it has been broken." 
• "Emotions are like passing storms, and you have to remind yourself that it won't rain forever."