I Don't Like My Mind

Mitski's song 'I Don't Like My Mind' delves into the artist's struggle with her own thoughts and the discomfort of being alone with them. The lyrics express a sense of self-criticism and the overwhelming nature of introspection. Mitski uses the metaphor of being left alone in a room with her mind's 'opinions about the things that I've done' to convey the anxiety and self-judgment that can arise in solitude. The act of blasting music and working to exhaustion are depicted as coping mechanisms to drown out the internal noise.

The chorus, which describes eating an entire cake on an 'inconvenient Christmas,' symbolizes indulgence as a form of escape. However, this escape is temporary and ultimately self-destructive, as evidenced by the aftermath of getting sick and creating another negative memory. This cycle of avoidance and consequence illustrates the difficulty of facing one's own mind and the lengths one might go to in order to avoid self-reflection. The repetition of 'a whole cake' emphasizes the magnitude of the escape and the depth of the internal struggle.

The plea 'So, please, don't take / Take this job from me' suggests a fear of losing something that provides structure and distraction from the mind's relentless scrutiny. The job represents a lifeline, a means of maintaining sanity amidst the chaos of self-doubt and regret. Mitski's raw and honest portrayal of mental health challenges resonates with listeners who may also find it difficult to be alone with their thoughts, highlighting the universal nature of this internal battle.