What to do if you feel that you are in a gilded cage (details inside )?

The expression is “gilded” as in covered with gold, not “guilded” as in being in a trade union.

And it means being put out for show as something prized yet trapped in a cage, like a beautiful songbird.

What works for me is talking to someone else and helping someone else so that I am not focused on my own plight. Go volunteer at a homeless shelter, or a food kitchen or a food bank, or visit aged people in a nursing facility.

Eating doesn’t work, sleeping doesn’t work. One needs to get out of one’s self.

White bird,
in a golden cage,
on a winter’s day,
in the rain.

White bird,
in a golden cage,
alone.

The leaves blow,
Across the long black road.
To the darkened skies,
in its rage

But the white bird just sits in her cage,
unknown.

White bird must fly
Or she will die

White bird,
dreams of the aspen trees,
with their dying leaves,
turning gold.

But the white bird just sits in her cage,
growing old.

White bird must fly or she will die.
White bird must fly or she will die.

The sunsets come, the sunsets go.
The clouds roll by,and the earth turns old.
And the young bird’s eyes do always glow.

She must fly,
She must fly,
She must fly.

White bird,
In a golden cage,
On a winter’s day, in the rain.

White bird,
In a golden cage alone.

White bird must fly or she will die.

and you can thank Its a Beautiful Day for this explanation.

There are other interpretations of “gilded cage” aside from the bird being trapped within against its will. I’m much more apt to associate the words with someone who CHOOSES to isolate themselves from the great “unwashed” in a cage of wealth & privilege. The trick lies in deciding on which side of the bars lies the “prison” of miseries.

I say drop “gilded” and just go with “cage.”

I get outside and work. Work hard.