"Good Old Days" lyrics

This is a letter to the young me
The one that's six years old
That's full of hope, protected by what they don't know
Don't wish away a single second of being so naive
Too full of peace to be afraid of anything

If I could find that kid today
I'd build a time machine, just so I could say

Stop growing up and just slow down
Nothing's better than what you have now
'Cause someday you'll look back and say
That you were living in the good old days
Stay innocent 'cause you can't see
Life's so much harder than you once believed
You won't know it until it's too late
But you were living in the good old days (good old days)

This is a warning to a dumb kid
The one that's counting down
The days 'till they can get away from their hometown
Oh, don't you wish away the present
You don't know it's worth
'Cause the scenery you change won't make you happier

Long drives, light games and skipping class
Your heart will break when you look back
'Cause one day you went out to play and didn't know it was the last

Stop growing up and just slow down
Nothing's better than what you have now
'Cause someday you'll look back and say
That you were living in the good old days
Stay innocent 'cause you can't see
Life's so much harder than you once believed
You won't know it until it's too late
But you were living in the good old days

Bad blood, deep scars, things that traumatize
Wait here for you on the other side
Don't waste these sacred years
The grass ain't greener here
Memories that keep you awake at night
Self-doubt so strong, you'll be paralyzed
Don't waste these sacred years
The grass ain't greener here

If I could find that kid today, I'd say

Stop growing up and just slow down
Nothing's better than what you have now
'Cause someday you'll look back and say
That you were living in the good old days
Stay innocent 'cause you can't see
Life's so much harder than you once believed
You won't know it until it's too late
But you were living in the good old days