Love Me First

I gave you all my colors 'til I faded into grey
Kept setting myself on fire just to light your way
Smiled when I was breaking, held you while I cried
Put my dreams on quiet just to keep your loud alive

But love shouldn't feel like losing
I was worth more than I knew then
Took the long road back to me
And now I'm finally listening

I choose to love me first, before I give my heart away
No more shrinking just to stay
I won't apologize for the light in me
I've learned that strong is soft and free
And I don't need permission just to be
So I love me first - and it sets me free

I used to chase approval like it held my name
Kept dancing through their shadows just to feel okay
But now I hold my own hands, sing my own refrain
The mirror knows my story and still loves me anyway

They said "self-love" like it's selfish
But I call it finally breathing
No more bleeding just to feel seen
I'm the one I'm keeping

I choose to love me first, before I give my heart away
No more shrinking just to stay
I won't apologize for the light in me
I've learned that strong is soft and free
And I don't need permission just to be
So I love me first - and it sets me free

This heart, it still loves, just not at the cost of me
I found grace in the mirror, found peace in saying "me"
Now I love deeper, now I give more
But I'm not the girl who breaks to keep the score

I choose to love me first, it's not selfish, it's divine
My joy is not a compromise
I won't apologize for the light in me
I've learned that strong is soft and free
And I don't need permission just to be
So I love me first - finally, I'm free

Love me first... and I'll never be last again