The Real Life Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Khaoki 

Cover art for The Real Life lyrics by 3 Doors Down

It's about overcoming depression and the mental walls one puts up to protect oneself from traumatic situations (eg. abuse).

You try to find a place to hide and you do by making walls so you cannot be hurt anymore. Then the situation passes but they are still there, causing you pain due to the loneliness that such typically brings with it. One day you decide that it isn't worth running from those "long days" anymore, for you can't hide from pain when hiding causes pain and look inside until you find the better part of you again.