To My Younger Self

To my younger self, I'm writing you from 2012
It's not high school that is killing me, it's my mental health
Know you struggle now but brace yourself for these few years of hell

You'll paint a smile every day but every night, you'll pray for help

Wish there was something that I could do to save you from what's coming
You might be a soldier, but know that your demons built an army
And they're taking over now, all I see through my tears is black
Tell mom and dad I love them, but I have to go, no turning back

And I know that your heart is aching
I know that you don't know why
And you can't stop your hands from shaking
Now you want to die

If I could tell you everything I know now
I'd tell you that the darkness always fades out
In the end, the light will emerge with no doubt
You just gotta keep going, baby, don't back down

If I could tell you everything I know now
I'd tell you that the darkness always fades out
In the end, the light will emerge with no doubt
You just gotta keep going, baby, don't back down

To my younger self, I'm writing you from 2020
You made it through the war and woke up to a new beginning
You graduated college
Mom and dad are both so proud that you rose up from the ashes
A survivor, you are now

How I wish I could write to the girl back in 2012
And send her all the light to find her way without losing herself
And show her all the things she'll miss
If she don't get a second chance
Thank God I'm here today to tell you that you'll make it through the black

And I know that your heart was aching
I know that you put up a fight
For making it through all the breaking
Now you feel alive

If I could tell you everything I know now
I'd tell you that the darkness always fades out
In the end, the light will emerge with no doubt
You just gotta keep going, baby, don't back down

If I could tell you everything I know now
I'd tell you that the darkness always fades out
In the end, the light will emerge with no doubt
You just gotta keep going, baby, don't back down