they told me not to feel too much,

to clench my fists and just stay tough.

but silence rots beneath the skin,

and strength won’t grow where shame has been.

i wore a mask made out of steel,

but all those smiles were never real.

i’m learning now to drop the guise,

and let you see the truth behind my eyes.

true strength doesn't mean to never cry,

it means to understand the reasons why.

true strength isn't putting on a smile,

it means being yourself, all the time.

-

true strength doesn’t mean you hide away,

it means you cry when you’re in pain.

true strength’s not just getting over it,

it’s breaking down—then rising up again.

it’s hard to speak when i’ve been taught,

to swallow every burning thought.

but every tear i tried to hide,

builds up the storm i feel inside.

-

the thunder shakes my aching chest,

a war inside that's been suppressed.

the more i run, the more it grows,

that quiet ache that no one knows.

now every crack lets in some light,

i’m not ashamed of losing fights.

i’m learning how to just be real,

to show the world the pain i feel.

true strength doesn't mean you never cry,

it means to understand the reasons why.

true strength isn't putting on a smile,

it means being yourself, all the time.

-

true strength doesn’t mean you hide away,

it means you cry when you’re in pain.

true strength’s not just getting over it,

it’s breaking down—then rising up again.

i’m done pretending i don’t bleed,

i’ve got my scars, they’re what i need.

each one a mark of what I’ve faced,

reminders of a truth they can't erase.

they tried to mold me into stone,

but flesh and feeling make me whole.

i broke, i bent — but still i breathe,

and that’s the strength they couldn’t see.

true strength... is being who you are.