These days, I take a little longer Before I say yes. More changed with that Than I expected. [Verse 1] There’s less explaining now. A conversation can end Without anyone winning it. I notice when I’m tired Before the day has taken everything. Some closed doors Can stay closed. Years ago, I would have stayed longer Just to see if things would change. I’m glad I don’t anymore. [Pre-Chorus] Somewhere along the way, The measure changed. What felt urgent Lost its rank. [Chorus] Since then, I choose differently. Who gets my time. What gets an answer. What can wait until morning. Since then, I have become harder to hurry, Easier to surprise, Less interested In being understood by everyone. That is new. [Verse 2] I buy flowers for no occasion. I leave a whole afternoon Without a plan. I can hear disagreement Without preparing a defence. I have walked away From things I once Would have called important. And stayed When leaving would have been easier. Neither felt dramatic. Both mattered. [Pre-Chorus] The calendar kept moving. So did I. Just not In the direction I expected. [Chorus] Since then, I choose differently. What deserves my worry. What deserves another try. What can end Without becoming a failure. Since then, I trust a quiet answer More than I did. I know the difference Between being needed And being valued. That took a while. [Bridge] You would probably recognize Some of this. Maybe not all of it. There are parts That came later, After the conversations ended, After I had time To disagree with both of us. That matters too. [Final Chorus] Since then, My life fits differently. There is more room in it. For changing my mind. For leaving early. For starting again Without needing to call it anything. Since then, I have become someone I could not have described From where I stood before. And I’m glad I didn’t know in advance. [Outro] Since then. Two ordinary words. A whole life On the other side of them.
