[Verse 1] Another plate Another sink Another check Another win I wore the ordinary Like I climbed a mountain peak Waiting on somebody’s praise For things expected out of me Built a throne from checklists Hung medals on routine I thought the floor Was the finish line ⸻ [Pre-Chorus] The mountain never got smaller I just never took the first step I spent my life chasing approval While ignoring my own respect The mirror finally showed me What I refused to see I wasn’t falling behind… I was standing still beneath my dreams ⸻ [Chorus] I thought the floor was the finish line I thought the start was the mountain high Every little cheer just kept me blind— I never saw the climb This was the baseline all this time… Now I know why I stood so still Watching everyone move ahead No, I wasn’t at the finish… I was standing at the baseline ⸻ [Verse 2] Everybody cheered me on For things we all should know Every “good enough” I heard Made comfort feel like home Built a castle out of checklists Wondered why it scraped no sky Celebrated breathing While my better self walked by The ones I looked up to Never counted every chore They did what had to be done… Then quietly did more ⸻ [Pre-Chorus 2] Comfort never chained me down It whispered, “You’ve arrived” I believed the quiet lie While years kept passing by That bitter taste won’t leave my mouth But maybe that’s the truth I wasn’t missing what I needed… I was missing what I could do ⸻ [Chorus] I thought the floor was the finish line I thought the start was the mountain high Every little cheer just kept me blind— I never saw the climb This was the baseline all this time… Now I know why I stood so still Watching everyone move ahead No, I wasn’t at the finish… I was standing at the baseline ⸻ [Bridge] I kept confusing… Encouragement… With achievement I kept collecting… Validation… Instead of discipline The man I want to be Is built between the boring days Nobody writes a headline For showing up anyway I don’t hate who I was He just settled far too soon Now every quiet promise kept Becomes another room Inside the life I’m building No shortcuts left to see Respect isn’t given to me… It’s earned repeatedly ⸻ [Final Chorus / Outro] Raise the baseline Every promise that I keep Raise the baseline Every morning that I lead Raise the baseline Until discipline feels free I stopped waiting for somebody… I became somebody I respect I don’t need the world to crown me… I just need to answer me
