The song can be seen as coordinating a journey of self-discovery and healing after a failed, possibly toxic, relationship. It tackles themes related to emotional growth, self-respect, and gaining back one’s worth following a breakup.
The protagonist initially presents a picture of emotional turbulence, referring to a person who seemed to be intruding on his space and comfort. The intruder was consciously exploiting his image, the pain of which was expressed implicitly yet emphatically. But the protagonist shows resilience and a refusal to portray himself as the victim, demonstrating an inner strength that appears to be challenging and countering the hurt inflicted by the other person.
The song then moves into a refrain with the singer expressing a desire to distance himself from the past relationship. He tackles the complexities of emotional untangling from a relationship that’s ended. Despite the ended relationship, there persists a certain bond or a connection that he wishes to sever ultimately for the sake of his sanity and emotional balance.
The pre-chorus vividly paints the intricacies of his feelings, where he acknowledges his mistake of not having seen the actual situation due to being too absorbed in his work. It conveys the self-awareness the protagonist has gained in retrospect, acknowledging his shortcomings, yet showcasing personal growth. His detailing of his mother’s disapproval of the relationship subtly highlights the importance of family and their intuition in recognizing unhealthy dynamics.
The powerful chorus is a bold statement of self-assurance where he emphasizes the self-love the other person should adopt. It can be interpreted as either a sarcastic retort or a genuine piece of advice, depending on one’s perspective.
The second verse signifies a realization that the conflict wasn’t with the protagonist’s friends as the other person claimed, but with the other person themselves. Here, he strongly voices his experience of being made to feel wrong constantly, signifying a toxic dynamic where he was made to doubt his judgments, opinions, and essential attributes of his identity.
Overall, the song encapsulates the journey of self-healing by balancing acknowledging one’s own mistakes and calling out the toxic behaviors of the other person. It underscores the importance of self-respect, consequent distancing from harmful relationships, and the process of reclaiming one’s identity and independence after such a relationship.