by Treena Sather-Head, MSW, LICSW, LMHC
Breaking Free: A Journey Toward Self-Confidence
1. Identifying the "Glass Cage": In "Shatter Me," Lindsey Stirling’s lyrics and imagery convey a sense of being enclosed within a glass cage. This is a powerful metaphor for the mental and emotional barriers we often create for ourselves. These barriers can take many forms—they may be beliefs instilled during childhood, fears arising from past traumas, or even the limiting stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we can achieve. For example, you might have a fear of speaking in public because you think you don't have anything valuable to say. Over time, that fear becomes a glass wall, keeping you confined within the safety of silence. But that cage also keeps you from expressing yourself fully.
To truly break free, you first need to recognize what makes up your cage. This can involve exploring your own fears and insecurities and realizing how they stop you from pursuing your true potential. Awareness is the first step to change—once you know what you're dealing with, you can begin to take action.
Journal Prompt: Take 15 minutes to write about your "glass cage." What fears, beliefs, or past experiences are holding you back? What situations make you feel confined or small? Be honest with yourself and try to identify at least one or two barriers.
2. Embracing Vulnerability to Shatter the Cage: In "Shatter Me," there is an undeniable energy of desire for change—of wanting to break free from the restrictive constraints of that glass cage. Embracing vulnerability means acknowledging the areas where you feel weak or afraid and recognizing that these moments of raw honesty are also where your greatest strength can emerge. Vulnerability is about showing up, even when you don’t have all the answers or when you might fail.
Breaking through your glass cage involves acknowledging your fears and taking a leap of faith. It might mean opening up to someone you trust, sharing your true feelings, or confronting an uncomfortable situation that you've been avoiding. Vulnerability feels uncomfortable, but it is often the only way to shatter the glass walls around you.
Reflection Exercise: Play "Shatter Me" at a time when you can be fully present. As you listen, close your eyes and imagine the glass cage around you. With each note, visualize a crack forming in that glass. Picture each of your fears being challenged and weakening that cage. What does it look like when the glass finally shatters? What does freedom feel like for you?
3. The Role of Resilience in Self-Discovery: The imagery in "Shatter Me" is not just about breaking apart; it's about transformation. The act of shattering symbolizes growth and evolution—taking the parts of ourselves that feel broken and reassembling them into something stronger. Resilience means taking the difficult experiences of your past and using them as stepping stones. It’s not about avoiding hardship but learning to thrive despite it.
Self-confidence emerges from knowing that you've faced difficult times before and survived them. Each challenge you have faced and each moment of doubt you have overcome adds to your resilience, allowing you to face future challenges with courage.
Actionable Step: Practice Resilience - Write about a time in your life when you felt broken but eventually found your way back to wholeness. What strategies helped you recover? What did you learn about yourself in the process? How can you apply that same resilience to challenges you're currently facing?
4. Dancing with Freedom: The Physical Connection to Music Lindsey Stirling often performs intricate dance routines while playing the violin, and this is a perfect metaphor for the freedom that comes with self-expression. Movement can be incredibly therapeutic, helping us process emotions that words can't fully capture. When we dance or move freely, we connect with our bodies in an honest and authentic way, often shaking off the stress or anxiety that holds us back.
When we feel trapped in a "glass cage," sometimes the best way to break free is through movement. You don’t need any special training or talent—just the willingness to let your body express what it feels. Dancing or even simple stretching can help you release tension and create space for confidence to grow.
Movement Exercise: Set aside 5-10 minutes to listen to "Shatter Me" and move however your body wants to. This is not about looking good or being "correct." Let your arms, legs, head, and body flow with the music. Imagine each movement helping to release a part of the cage that holds you back.
5. Stepping into the Unknown: Building Confidence Through Action The line "If I break the glass, then I'll have to fly" conveys the fear and uncertainty that comes with taking a risk. True confidence doesn’t come from avoiding failure; it comes from taking a leap despite the possibility of falling. This is the essence of courage—the willingness to risk failure for the sake of growth.
Self-confidence grows when we take small but meaningful actions that push us outside our comfort zones. It might be something as simple as trying a new hobby, striking up a conversation, or sharing your work publicly. Each action reinforces the belief that you are capable of more than you thought.
Challenge Yourself: Identify one small action you can take that would represent "shattering the glass." It could be trying something you’ve always been afraid to do, like speaking up in a meeting or asking someone for help. Set a date to complete this action, and use the energy of "Shatter Me" as your motivator.
Worksheet: Shatter Me - A Journey to Self-Confidence
Identify Your Glass Cage
What are the fears, beliefs, or experiences holding you back? Write down two or three specific things that make you feel trapped.
How do these barriers impact your daily life? (For example, "I don’t express my opinions in meetings because I’m scared of being judged.")
Embrace Vulnerability
Think of a time when you were vulnerable and it led to growth. How did it feel before, during, and after?
Write down one thing you can do this week to embrace vulnerability. It could be sharing your thoughts with someone or admitting that you need help.
Practice Resilience
Recall a challenge you faced in the past. What made it difficult? How did you overcome it?
What strengths did you discover in yourself during that experience?
Express Through Movement
Take 5 minutes to play "Shatter Me" and move freely. Afterward, write about how it felt to move. Did you feel a release of tension or a sense of freedom?
Take Action Toward Confidence
Identify one step you can take to shatter your glass cage. Be specific (e.g., "I will sign up for that dance class I’ve always wanted to try").
Set a date to take this action. Write down how you expect to feel afterward, and then revisit this after you complete it.
Remember: Confidence is built step by step, and each small action you take brings you closer to shattering the cage that holds you back. Let "Shatter Me" inspire you to take those first courageous steps. You have the power to transform, grow, and fly beyond the limits you've placed on yourself.
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