No Cage, Just Air

She stepped outside with nothing but breath and intention. Psychological research shows that perceived freedom and autonomy are strongly associated with higher motivation, resilience, and overall well-being (Ryan and Deci 74).

Time spent in natural environments further strengthens this effect by reducing mental fatigue and restoring a sense of agency (Kaplan 172). She did not run. She did not hide. She stood, fully present, accepting herself as she was. Freedom was not escape. It was permission to exist without shrinking.

Works Cited (MLA)
Kaplan, Stephen. “The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol. 15, no. 3, 1995, pp. 169–182.
Ryan, Richard M., and Edward L. Deci. “Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions.” Contemporary Educational Psychology, vol. 25, no. 1, 2000, pp. 54–67.