There was a time

when all I wanted was to make you proud.

And I would try, and not ask why,

to do the things you said I should,

and not to do the things that weren’t allowed.

There was a time

when I thought you were a hero.

I wanted to be just like you,

but looking back, I realize

you just don’t look that good at all from here, though.

There was a time

when I thought you knew what’s best for me.

For all those years, I hid my tears

to show you I was big and strong,

but you ignored and minimized the rest of me.

There was a time

when I thought you worth impressing.

I gave my all, and still felt small,

because the stronger I became,

the more you thought that I needed oppressing.

But that was then, and this is now,

and all the tears I cried for all those years

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are drying up somehow.

I knew I couldn’t run to you,

so I ran to the door.

So, I’m sorry. You can’t hurt me anymore.

Now is the time

that I’m becoming who I’m meant to be.

It should have been you now and then

to tell me I was doing right.

You didn’t, and it almost meant the end of me.

Now is the time

for me to unlearn all your worst mistakes:

the parts of you I was subjected to

that punished me each time I failed or faltered.

Do you know how much work that takes?

Now is the time

for me to build a new foundation.

And every day, I find a way

to ensure the person I become

is far beyond your small imagination.

Now is the time

for me to finally make the choice.

I’ve figured out that every doubt

and angry thing I say inside my head about myself,

I hear in your voice.

‘Cause that was then, and this is now.

And all the tears I cried for all those years

are drying up somehow.

I knew I couldn’t run to you,

so I ran to the door.

So, I’m sorry. You can’t hurt me anymore.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want you.

It’s just, I really needed more.

And so, I’m sorry. You can’t hurt me anymore.