[VERSE 1] Told them I’m not coming this year Said “I don’t wanna fake small talk or cheer” Said “I’m tired, I’m serious, I need space” They said “Don’t be dramatic — just show your face” I said “No,” they said “Please” I said “I’ll break,” they said “Say cheese” I said “This hurts,” they said “That’s life” Then handed me a gift and called me polite [VERSE 2] I said I don’t like parties — they planned one more Said I hate tradition — they doubled the decor Said I don’t care about promotions or clout Still got asked why I haven’t “figured it out” I don’t wear the right thing, don’t say the right stuff Still get dragged in like I’m not enough They know I’m miserable — that’s not a twist But they’ll still tell people “he wouldn’t have missed” [CHORUS 1] It’s traditional manipulation I said no — you made it a vacation I say I’m out, you say “don’t be mean” Then tell the group “he’s just low on steam” I try to leave, you call it a phase Put me on blast when I don’t behave Say “he’s just stubborn,” say “he’ll grow” But I meant it every time I said “no” [VERSE 3] Correct my grammar like that proves a point Talk like I’m dumb ‘cause I won’t play the joint Say “real men work” — I’ve worked through pain Just not the kind you like to frame Never ask for help ‘cause you’ll tell a friend Then act like I’m fine when I can’t pretend Say my silence makes things worse But you’d all lose it if I said it first [CHORUS 2] It’s traditional manipulation Play the game or face isolation Talk weird, dress wrong, say less, feel more Then wonder why I don’t show up anymore You act like I’m failing some unspoken test But I just don’t wanna be like the rest So if I break it, burn it, or skip the invite Just know — that’s me finally getting it right [BRIDGE — “Tired From My Brain”] Said something deep — they started to blink Gave one thought — they said “I need to think” Tried to explain — they got confused Said “that’s a lot” like I was being rude Watched them get tired two seconds in Like just hearing me talk wore down their skin I carry this brain all day, no break They hear one idea and say “give me a minute, for god’s sake” [FINAL OUTRO] So yeah, I showed up. Still didn’t care. And you still told people I loved being there.
