Validation

I tried to hide the hurt away

That I was never good enough

I need the praise to feel okay

To feel like I deserve some love

But when I don't hear them

The words that validate me

I'm knocked right off my cloud and

My self-esteem runs empty

So I'll take your compliments

I'll tell a joke, sing you a song

I'm tryna build my confidence

By hiding anything you might find wrong

Feels like I can't rest if I'm not the best

Always feeling short of excellence

All of my flaws remind me of

Why I can't give myself love

So tell me I've got my own worth

'Cause I can't say it to myself

I need to hear it from you first

To know I've earned it for myself

I've been holding onto

The things that might impress you

To hide the imperfections

I never wanna mention

But I'm crumbling inside

From lack of pride I try to hide

Though I know I'm doin' my best

Am I enough without any success

Feels like I can't rest if I'm not the best

Always feeling short of excellence

All of my flaws remind me of

Why I can't give myself love

When will I ever be enough

Always feel like I'm messing up

Why am I scared of what they'll say

Where are these critics anyways

Tired of tying happiness

To their ideas of success

Enough of fearing what they'll think

Love me or don't, I'll just be me

Feels like I'm starting to loosen my grip

Onto the fear that I'll let myself slip

All of my "flaws", so I thought, are just

Ways I don't pass some test

Time to give that a rest

And start to love me for me