The first time I stood before them all,
I felt the weight of expectation press against my chest.
I wondered if they knew,
If they could see the doubt that lingered in my eyes.
I played the part, but every step felt wrong,
Like I was walking in someone else’s shoes.
They handed me a future I didn’t know how to hold,
A life I didn’t think I could live.
But I smiled, I nodded,
Pretended I was ready to be who they wanted me to beat.
Inside, I was crumbling,
A shadow of the person they believed I was.
Afraid that I will slip away.
I wear the mask, but deep inside,
I’m terrified of where I hide.
I’m not the one they think I’ll beat,
Just lost inside what they can’t see.
Now as I stand before the life I’ve made,
I wonder if I’ll ever feel enough.
The mask I wear is cracking,
But I don’t know how to let it fall.
But I’m still here,
Pretending that I am.
Afraid that I will slip away.
I wear the mask, but deep inside,
I’m terrified of where I hide.
I’m not the one they think I’ll beat,
Just lost inside what they can’t see.
I felt the weight of expectation press against my chest.
I wondered if they knew,
If they could see the doubt that lingered in my eyes.
I played the part, but every step felt wrong,
Like I was walking in someone else’s shoes.
They handed me a future I didn’t know how to hold,
A life I didn’t think I could live.
But I smiled, I nodded,
Pretended I was ready to be who they wanted me to beat.
Inside, I was crumbling,
A shadow of the person they believed I was.
Afraid that I will slip away.
I wear the mask, but deep inside,
I’m terrified of where I hide.
I’m not the one they think I’ll beat,
Just lost inside what they can’t see.
Now as I stand before the life I’ve made,
I wonder if I’ll ever feel enough.
The mask I wear is cracking,
But I don’t know how to let it fall.
But I’m still here,
Pretending that I am.
Afraid that I will slip away.
I wear the mask, but deep inside,
I’m terrified of where I hide.
I’m not the one they think I’ll beat,
Just lost inside what they can’t see.