--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cage felt like he was looking in a mirror…" description: "\"“Cage felt like he was looking in a mirror thirty years in the future. A cranky, pissed off, judgmental bastard of a mirror.”\" — Madeline Sheehan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/madeline-sheehan-2398_thirty-years_cage-felt-like-he-was-looking-in-a-mirro_1390011.jpg" --- # Cage felt like he was looking in a mirror thirty years in… ![“Cage felt like he was looking in a mirror thirty years in the future. A cranky, pissed off, judgmental bastard of a mirror.” quote by Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/madeline-sheehan-2398_thirty-years_cage-felt-like-he-was-looking-in-a-mirro_1390011.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/madeline-sheehan-2398_thirty-years_cage-felt-like-he-was-looking-in-a-mirro_1390011.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/476/madeline-sheehan-2398_thirty-years_cage-felt-like-he-was-looking-in-a-mirro_1390011.jpg) > ““Cage felt like he was looking in a mirror thirty years in the future. A cranky, pissed off, judgmental bastard of a mirror.”” [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing oneself in a future self can feel harsh and critical, like confronting a severe reflection. **In simple terms:** Future self feels like a harsh mirror. Key Takeaway Embrace self‑reflection without judgment. Themes identity self‑reflection future self criticism psychology Mood introspective melancholic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - therapy - creative writing - personal growth Key Concepts Self‑concept temporal perspective self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - What does the future self reveal? - How can you soften self‑criticism? A Different Perspective Harsh self‑judgment can impede growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bastard Mirror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bastard-mirror-4840981/) [Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cage/) [Future Cranky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-cranky-4840983/) [Judgmental Bastard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgmental-bastard-4840980/) [Looking In A Mirror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-in-a-mirror/) [Pissed Judgmental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pissed-judgmental-4840982/) [Thirty years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirty-years/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“When it came to Cage West, my mistakes were plenty and my regrets were numerous. If my past were a person, I would grab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/when-it-came-to-cage-west-my-mistakes-were-plenty-and-my-regrets-were/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“You been stickin’ your shit in any hole that’ll take it, so what the fuck makes Tegen any damn different?” Cage imploded. “BECAUSE SHE’S…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/you-been-stickin-your-shit-in-any-hole-that-ll-take-it-so-what-the/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“Since when are you so nice?” I whispered. Cage’s nostrils flared slightly. “Only once, since the day I met you, Teacup, that I haven’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/since-when-are-you-so-nice-i-whispered-cage-s-nostrils-flared/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“It's like I'm caught between two versions of myself. The person I used to be and the person i'm too scared to become. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-brody/it-s-like-i-m-caught-between-two-versions-of-myself-the-person-i-used/) [Jessica Brody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-brody/) > [“I looked him in the eyes and said, “I don’t trust you.” I’ll tell you, it’s like looking in a mirror when you make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-looked-him-in-the-eyes-and-said-i-don-t-trust-you-i-ll-tell-you-it/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Poetry looking in the mirror sees art, and art looking in a mirror sings poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/poetry-looking-in-the-mirror-sees-art-and-art-looking-in-a-mirror/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [So I said to myself, "There but for the grace of God go I," only to realize I was looking in a mirror and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/so-i-said-to-myself-there-but-for-the-grace-of-god-go-i-only-to/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [“Love is a trumpet, Donald Trump’s hair, and a turnip all turned up and facing west. Sorry, east. I am looking in a mirror,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/love-is-a-trumpet-donald-trump-s-hair-and-a-turnip-all-turned-up-and/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Who doesn't have a dark place somewhere inside him that comes out sometimes when he's looking in a mirror? Dark and light, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/macdonald-harris/who-doesn-t-have-a-dark-place-somewhere-inside-him-that-comes-out/) [MacDonald Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/macdonald-harris/) > [Looking in a mirror and telling yourself to feel better doesn't work when you're a girl, but finding something that you love to do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/su-chin-pak/looking-in-a-mirror-and-telling-yourself-to-feel-better-doesn-t-work/) [Su-chin Pak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/su-chin-pak/) > [“I remember the moment I realized I was free, looking in a mirror and saying, “I choose my motherfucking self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/i-remember-the-moment-i-realized-i-was-free-looking-in-a-mirror-and/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“It was like looking in a mirror. The same flickering hope in Loo, the same desperate need to be loved, was right here in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-tinti/it-was-like-looking-in-a-mirror-the-same-flickering-hope-in-loo-the/) [Hannah Tinti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-tinti/) > [Judging others is like looking in a mirror, reflecting the disappointments and frustrations you have in your own life, restraining you from praising others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-a-babb/judging-others-is-like-looking-in-a-mirror-reflecting-the/) [Frederick A Babb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-a-babb/) > [If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid looking in a mirror, because I bet that will really throw you into a panic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/if-you-ever-catch-on-fire-try-to-avoid-looking-in-a-mirror-because-i/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“The kid's driving me bat-shit," Cam complained as he stalked into the kitchen. "You can't say boo to him without him squaring up for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/the-kid-s-driving-me-bat-shit-cam-complained-as-he-stalked-into-the/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) ## More by Madeline Sheehan > [“Life was made up of moments, big ones and little, the good and bad, dark and light. We never remembered the gray, the times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/life-was-made-up-of-moments-big-ones-and-little-the-good-and-bad-dark/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“...Love isn’t a fucking answer. It hurts more than it doesn’t, it’s harder than it is easy, it takes work, guts, and perseverance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/love-isn-t-a-fucking-answer-it-hurts-more-than-it-doesn-t-it-s-harder/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“My longtime broken heart was breaking again, shattering, falling to pieces and disintegrating. And in its place was a brand new heart. Like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/my-longtime-broken-heart-was-breaking-again-shattering-falling-to/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“It was official. I was an asshole with a permanently broken heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/it-was-official-i-was-an-asshole-with-a-permanently-broken-heart/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“Still wearin' Chucks and singin' out of tune I see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/still-wearin-chucks-and-singin-out-of-tune-i-see/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“You got a nickname, little Dorothy Matthews? ’Cause that’s a fuckin’ mouthful, right there. Not that I mind a mouthful of pretty girl.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/you-got-a-nickname-little-dorothy-matthews-cause-that-s-a-fuckin/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“He looked down at his flaccid cock. "Congratulations," he said. "You've just fucked yourself to death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/he-looked-down-at-his-flaccid-cock-congratulations-he-said-you-ve/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“ I'd do it all again," he whispered, crying as he cradled me against his chest." I'd go through the hell of losing you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/i-d-do-it-all-again-he-whispered-crying-as-he-cradled-me-against-his/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“Kami, do you have a weapon?" "No, I do not have a fucking weapon!" Kami screamed over her shoulder. "Do you really think I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/kami-do-you-have-a-weapon-no-i-do-not-have-a-fucking-weapon-kami/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“If you were older, darlin', I'd have you on the back of my bike and in my fuckin' bed. And you'd be not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/if-you-were-older-darlin-i-d-have-you-on-the-back-of-my-bike-and-in/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“But even after all this time, he'd stupidly held out hope, hadn't he? He'd clung to the memories of their time together like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/but-even-after-all-this-time-he-d-stupidly-held-out-hope-hadn-t-he-he/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“Everything has beauty. Even the ugly. Because without the ugly, there would be no beauty. Because without beauty, we would not survive our pain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/everything-has-beauty-even-the-ugly-because-without-the-ugly-there/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“Because baby, I'm wild pussy and wild pussy can't be bought. Wild pussy doesn't like having pretty things thrown at it and being expected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/because-baby-i-m-wild-pussy-and-wild-pussy-can-t-be-bought-wild-pussy/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“I am Preachers little girl. And I'm gonna be just like him when I grow up. I'm gonna have a Fatboy but I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/i-am-preachers-little-girl-and-i-m-gonna-be-just-like-him-when-i-grow/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) > [“Been tryin’ to let you go, been tryin' for fuckin' years,” He said roughly. “Haven’t figured out how yet.” - Deuce to Eva (Undeniable)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-sheehan/been-tryin-to-let-you-go-been-tryin-for-fuckin-years-he-said-roughly/) [Madeline Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) [Explore all 162 Madeline Sheehan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-sheehan/) ## More Cage quotes > [“The cage has gotten bigger, and we can expect bigger beasts from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mallory/the-cage-has-gotten-bigger-and-we-can-expect-bigger-beasts-from-it/) [Jason Mallory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mallory/) > [“If you can choose your way into a cage, you can choose your way out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-kempton/if-you-can-choose-your-way-into-a-cage-you-can-choose-your-way-out/) [Beth Kempton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-kempton/) > [If you have the mentality that Jon Jones has when he steps into the cage, no one will beat you on the mat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-anderson/if-you-have-the-mentality-that-jon-jones-has-when-he-steps-into-the/) [Corey Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-anderson/) > [I underestimated the difference of fighting in a cage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirko-cro-cop/i-underestimated-the-difference-of-fighting-in-a-cage/) [Mirko Cro Cop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirko-cro-cop/) > [“Because knowledge is only a cage if you dwell in isolation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-reid/because-knowledge-is-only-a-cage-if-you-dwell-in-isolation/) [Penny Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-reid/) > [What do you fear, lady?' he asked. 'A cage,' she said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-do-you-fear-lady-he-asked-a-cage-she-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Soon, I found myself locked in my own cage of fear and desperation, where my experience of life was getting smaller and smaller.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-moorjani/soon-i-found-myself-locked-in-my-own-cage-of-fear-and-desperation/) [Anita Moorjani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-moorjani/) > [Everyone at home sitting on their couches, they think it's so easy to fight. Stepping inside that cage is probably the hardest thing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-cerrone/everyone-at-home-sitting-on-their-couches-they-think-it-s-so-easy-to/) [Donald Cerrone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-cerrone/) > [It's life or death for me every single time I step in the cage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-gaethje/it-s-life-or-death-for-me-every-single-time-i-step-in-the-cage/) [Justin Gaethje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-gaethje/) > [The sight of a cage is only frightening to the bird that has once been caught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-field/the-sight-of-a-cage-is-only-frightening-to-the-bird-that-has-once/) [Rachel Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-field/) > [“Do you want to be kept in a little cage? No! Because it is a horror! But then why do you keep a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/do-you-want-to-be-kept-in-a-little-cage-no-because-it-is-a-horror-but/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > ['Luke Cage' is a gift. There's so many different ways you can look at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-younge/luke-cage-is-a-gift-there-s-so-many-different-ways-you-can-look-at-it/) [Adrian Younge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-younge/) > [“They let us be, here, in the cage of our ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/they-let-us-be-here-in-the-cage-of-our-ignorance/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Tis Vanth's cage. You can just move it out of the way." "I already have," he grumbles. "With my shin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/tis-vanth-s-cage-you-can-just-move-it-out-of-the-way-i-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don’t be a bird that can be restricted from flying by putting in the cage. Be the one, which can fly with the cage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lovely-goyal/don-t-be-a-bird-that-can-be-restricted-from-flying-by-putting-in-the/) [Lovely Goyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lovely-goyal/) [Browse all 431 Cage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Cage felt like he was looking in a mirror thirty years in the future. 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