[Verse 1] I learned the shape of a borrowed smile Held it in place for a thousand miles Measured my words by the room's applause Called it kindness, called it a cause I kept my hands where they couldn't offend Bent every want till it learned to pretend But every good deed left me smaller inside A quiet little life with nowhere to hide [Pre-Chorus] I can care without carrying Every verdict to my bed I can leave a door unopened When the room lives in my head [Chorus] I am done asking permission to breathe Done making a cage look like something I need I won't hurt you, but I won't disappear My life is mine, and I'm finally here Let the old rules rattle and fall I don't owe my heart to them all If joy comes knocking, I'll open the door I was surviving—I'm living once more [Verse 2] There were names for the way I should stand A proper little map drawn across my hands Wear the right face, choose the safe road Smile when the weight gets too heavy to hold I know the line between freedom and blame I won't turn my peace into somebody's pain But I won't confuse being good with being gone Or trade my morning for a script written wrong [Pre-Chorus] I can listen without surrendering I can change when I am wrong But the voice that says be smaller Doesn't get to write my song [Chorus] I am done asking permission to breathe Done making a cage look like something I need I won't hurt you, but I won't disappear My life is mine, and I'm finally here Let the old rules rattle and fall I don't owe my heart to them all If joy comes knocking, I'll open the door I was surviving—I'm living once more [Bridge] Maybe they will call it selfish Maybe they will call it strange I have spent too long mistaking Their discomfort for my shame Keep your blessing, keep your warning Keep the future you designed I will meet the day as myself now With both hands open, both eyes wide [Final Chorus] I am done asking permission to breathe Done making a cage look like something I need I won't hurt you, but I won't disappear My life is mine, and I'm finally here Let the old rules rattle and fall I don't owe my heart to them all If joy comes knocking, I'll open the door I was surviving—I'm living once more [Outro] I can be kind and still be free I can choose what belongs to me No more borrowed life, no more borrowed name I walk toward joy without apology or shame
