"I try to look at this music career thing as the means to an end. And really, at the end of it, I see myself on a sailboat, sailing off the edge of the world"

Michelle Shocked's quote provides a brilliant metaphor for her point of view on her music career, suggesting it is not the supreme destination however rather a lorry to reach her true goals. The phrase "means to an end" implies that her musical journey is primarily a tool or stepping stone allowing her to achieve a more comprehensive life goal. This attitude shows a practical view towards her career, acknowledging its role in her life without approving it sole significance.

By visualizing herself on a sailboat "cruising off the edge of the world", Shocked utilizes a powerful and whimsical metaphor. Cruising typically signifies freedom, expedition, and experience. Here, it represents her ultimate desire for liberation and expedition beyond standard boundaries. The image of cruising off the edge recommends a break from the normative path, embracing the unknown and pursuing individual satisfaction on her terms. It speaks with an adventurous spirit, someone willing to challenge social confines and conventional expectations.

The concept of the "edge of the world" could also signify the pursuit of dreams beyond what is quickly visible or foreseeable. It implies a passion to accept the secrets and chances that life provides beyond the general public eye or the music market. This metaphor recommends that Shocked worths individual growth and experiences over conventional success or acknowledgment in her field.

In essence, this quote encapsulates a vision of a life where art is not an endpoint however a transformative journey causing personal emancipation and expedition. It motivates a point of view that values the richness of life experiences over standard achievements, advising a welcome of reflective journeys and the nerve to create one's distinct course. Through this metaphor, Shocked shares her longing for a life of authenticity and experience beyond the boundaries of expert identity.