Shawn Mendes is taking time to reflect and clear his mind as he heads into the new year.
Listen to Shawn Mendes Radio and more on the free Audacy app
Always having been a mental health advocate, the 25-year-old GRAMMY nominee made it his mission to prioritize his own mental health by taking a step back from the spotlight in 2022. He remains in tune with positive mental health practices since putting in the work through therapy and more. Mendes took to social media to share an update on his best practices and how music has helped him find peace, reflection and more.
“Over the last year i spent a lot of time singing like this,” Mendes wrote next to a video that features him playing his harmonium. “I found that in moments of extreme anxiety or fear if i sat down with my harmonium and allowed myself with full trust to sing whatever came out it would often ease the pain.”
He continued, “It felt so difficult at first to let myself sing without needing perfection but after a while i actually started to fall in love with the dance between the ‘right’ and the ‘wrong’ notes… I realized there were only moments of bliss and euphoria from the ‘right’ notes BECAUSE of the ‘wrong’ notes. The only reason I can sing in key is because I’ve learned to listen.”
Mendes learned the importance of slowing down after making the decision to cancel his 2022 Wonder World Tour as he worked through some mental health struggles.
"I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away,” he shared before announcing the cancellation. "After speaking more with my team and working with an incredible group of health professionals, it has become more clear that I need to take the time I've never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger."
It seems coming back stronger is exactly what Mendes is doing after over a year of therapy and taking time to do what grounds him most — spending time with family, friends and music. As he makes his way back onto the stage, Mendes says he’s ready to embrace all the highs and lows.
“The biggest lesson for me this year has been to accept and welcome the lows of life,” he concluded in his most-recent post. “Not to constantly need to change or fix something in order to feel high again, because i know if I really slow down and listen when I’m low there’s always something to hear.”
Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.