The Cage Is Unlocked—You Just Forgot You’re Holding the Key

Let’s talk about the mental cage we all live in. You know the one:

The bars are made of overthinking, the floor is lined with past trauma, and the door? Oh, it’s wide open—but you’re still sitting there like the key doesn’t exist. Whyyyy???

Spoiler alert:

The key is in your hand.

It’s been there this whole time, but trauma has a way of convincing you it’s just a weirdly-shaped paperclip and you can’t even pick the lock!

We stay trapped in these mental cages because it’s familiar. Judgments? Check. Old wounds? Check. Emotional baggage we didn’t even pack ourselves? Absolutely.

But what if choosing freedom is just that… a choice?

Choosing freedom means saying:

• “No thanks” to carrying someone else’s opinion of you
• “Bye, Felicia” to guilt that expired in 2007
• And “yes, please” to loving yourself (even when your inner critic sounds like a mean girl with a megaphone)

It’s not always easy. Sometimes, you’ll want to throw the key across the room and say, “Not today, growth. I’m tired.” That’s okay. Choosing freedom doesn’t mean you never struggle—it means you don’t stay stuck.

Here’s the magic:

“The moment you accept yourself, you become free.” – Unknown

Not when you lose the weight.

Not when everyone forgives you.

Not when your healing journey gets a cute little bow on top.

Now. Right now. This very moment…BOOM! Mental freedom at its finest.

Messy, magnificent, in-progress you? You’re already worthy. You’ve been worthy this whole time.

So next time you feel trapped, check your hand.

You’re not locked in.

You’re just waiting for the permission you don’t need.

Now go. Unlock the cage. Stretch your weird little wings.

By: Jess E