Track 16 · Not Fixing, Just Listening

I’m Allowed to Feel This

Track 16 from Not Fixing, Just Listening.

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About I’m Allowed to Feel This

A deeper look at this song is coming soon.

Track 16 on Not Fixing, Just Listening. Duration: 3:56.

Intro – soft, intimate
I don’t need to fix this feeling
I just need to let it breathe
Verse 1
I woke up heavy, heart too loud
Tried to smile it off, but not right now
Everyone says “you’ll be fine”
But they don’t feel what’s in my mind
I keep telling myself to be strong
But strength don’t mean you never break
Sometimes holding it all together
Is knowing when to let it shake
Pre-Hook – lift
I don’t need a reason
I don’t need a name
I can feel it fully
Without wearing the pain
Hook – big, emotional
I’m allowed to feel this
Doesn’t mean it’s who I am
I can cry tonight
Still rise like I planned
I’m allowed to feel this
Let it pass right through
Just ‘cause I feel low right now
Don’t mean I always will, too
Verse 2
I’ve been scared of my own tears
Like they’d pull me under deep
But emotions aren’t oceans
They’re just waves that come and leave
I’m not broken ‘cause I’m sensitive
I’m not weak ‘cause I feel more
I can sit inside the sadness
Without living on the floor
Pre-Hook – softer, confident
I don’t have to rush it
I don’t have to pretend
Feelings come with a timestamp
They don’t get to extend
Hook – stronger, layered
I’m allowed to feel this
Doesn’t mean it defines my name
I can hurt and still believe
I’ll be okay
I’m allowed to feel this
Let the moment exist
Feelings talk loud, but they don’t decide
Who I am after this
Bridge – quiet, reflective
This is a moment
Not my identity
This is a feeling
Not my destiny
Final Hook – full power
I’m allowed to feel this
And still trust who I’ll be
I can sit with the pain
And not lose me
I’m allowed to feel this
Then let it go when it’s done
I don’t heal by denying my heart
I heal by loving every part of one
Outro – calm, resolved
Feeling isn’t failing
It’s just being alive

What this song means

The message

The emotional core of 'I’m Allowed to Feel This' lies in the acceptance of vulnerability and the complexity of human emotion. It holds space for the struggle of feeling overwhelmed and heavy while simultaneously recognizing that these feelings do not define one's identity. The lyrics speak directly to someone grappling with shame or pressure to appear strong, inviting them to embrace their sadness as a valid part of their experience.

What the artist wants to convey

In writing this song, William Cloudborn communicates the importance of allowing oneself to feel deeply without judgment. He wants listeners to understand that emotions are transient, as expressed in the lines 'This is a moment, not my identity,' emphasizing that feeling low does not equate to being weak or broken. By using imagery like waves instead of oceans, he reassures us that emotions can come and go, encouraging listeners to sit with their feelings rather than suppress them.

How this can help in everyday life

This song can serve as a comforting companion during moments of emotional turbulence, such as a hard morning after a restless night or when navigating the aftermath of an argument. It’s perfect for those times when someone feels overwhelmed by their own emotions, offering a gentle reminder that they can allow themselves to feel without fear of being defined by those feelings. By listening to it during quiet drives or reflective moments, the listener finds solace in the shared experience of vulnerability, helping to ground them in their humanity.