May 21, 2025 • 36 mins
Being a creative is a beautiful calling—but let’s be real, it can also be mentally and emotionally exhausting. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real journey behind the art—the highs, the lows, the burnout, the doubt, and the silent battles so many of us face behind closed doors. I’m sitting down with Arielle Miree, LCPC, a licensed therapist who specializes in supporting creatives and athletes, to talk about what the mental health journey truly looks like when your mind is your instrument and your emotions are your raw material. Together, we unpack the pressure to produce, the fear of losing momentum, and the complex balance between protecting your peace and pursuing your passion. Whether you’re in the middle of a mental fog, climbing out of burnout, or just trying to stay grounded while chasing your dream—this conversation is for you. You are not alone in this. Tune in for honesty, healing, and some much-needed clarity.
Connect with Airelle Miree at: @Ari_Janae_ on IG
And grab her workbook, "The Identity Quest Workbook: A Therapeutic Guide To Exploring And Unmasking Who You Are" on Amazon HERE
You can also watch the podcast video on 🔗YouTube
And Let's Discuss!
As always, I would LOVE to hear from you. You can leave a voicenote on the official "Creative IN Process" website. Leave comments, thoughts, feedbacks & even questions so I can incluude them on a future episode! Click here to LEAVE A VOICENOTE
For more info about the podcast & more, visit: http://CreativeINProcess.com
Follow the podcast on instagram: @CreativeInProcessPodcast
and follow your host, music artist, Nialand @NialandMusic
creativeinprocesspodcast@gmail.com for business inquires or direct messaging
Connect with Airelle Miree at: @Ari_Janae_ on IG
And grab her workbook, "The Identity Quest Workbook: A Therapeutic Guide To Exploring And Unmasking Who You Are" on Amazon HERE
You can also watch the podcast video on 🔗YouTube
And Let's Discuss!
As always, I would LOVE to hear from you. You can leave a voicenote on the official "Creative IN Process" website. Leave comments, thoughts, feedbacks & even questions so I can incluude them on a future episode! Click here to LEAVE A VOICENOTE
For more info about the podcast & more, visit: http://CreativeINProcess.com
Follow the podcast on instagram: @CreativeInProcessPodcast
and follow your host, music artist, Nialand @NialandMusic
creativeinprocesspodcast@gmail.com for business inquires or direct messaging
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
[Music]
(00:12):
I'm in crisis, a working progress,
It's all been serving,
I do that service,
Like one tap to the step,
Until that new step gives me all purpose
You know we worked it,
You're so me crisis,
A working progress,
You know we worked it,
You're so me,
You're so me,
(00:34):
You're so me,
You're so me,
You're so me,
[Music]
What's up?
Welcome once again to the Creative Improcess Podcast,
The Creatively Thoughtful Podcast for thoughtful creators who like podcasts.
(00:55):
I'm your host, Mia Lynn, and I am here with an amazing guest.
I told you I was going to have some extra stuff, stuff happening,
It's y'all need to be knowing, stuff be going on.
But I have a guest that I'm super duper excited about,
And we're going to jump right in.
This is my girl,
And expertise of the of the hour,
Miss Aurel Mairee,
I'm going to give you her rundown of her,
(01:17):
Because she got credentials, okay?
So another thing,
I don't just be bringing people,
Just talk, you know,
Because I know how a podcast sometimes everyone's going to get on,
Hammer and just talk about their own personal opinions about stuff.
But I actually like to have people that know what they're talking about.
So Aurel is a mental health therapist,
And coach who consults with film and television writers and producers to ensure
(01:41):
The accurate depictions of mental health themes.
She also specializes in working with athletes, entertainers,
And artists who may be struggling with identity and value outside of their industry.
As a former college basketball player,
Aurel understands the difficulty,
Dynamic of mastering one's identity outside of a career,
While still maintaining excellence in high performance.
(02:04):
She is known for helping people maintain their holistic health and values,
While thriving in the demanding lifestyle.
In addition to consulting on entertainment related topics,
Aurel is developing a mental health in production workshop curriculum for producers,
To learn best practices for psychological safety of cast and crew members.
Aurel received her Masters in Mental Health counseling from Trinity International University,
(02:28):
And is currently a PhD student at Saber University,
To utilize this cognitive behavior therapy,
Motivational interviewing, existential therapy,
And expressive arts therapy in her work with clients.
So welcome to Miss Aurel, my Re.
Thank you so much for being here. I'm super excited about this.
Aurel and I, we have conversations just in general in life,
(02:51):
It's my home, girl.
And I think I'm just so fascinated with your line of work
And the way that you took something as powerful as mental health
And just found a niche that I feel is so completely overlooked.
So I want you to share a little bit about why you decided to kind of cater
(03:13):
Your practice in the area that you did.
Yes, so happy to be here. Thank you so much.
We always have our conversations, though.
I'm was happy to be here.
B.S. So when I started in mental health and was thinking about what, you know,
Specialty area I would want to go into.
Performers came in mind, so performers can encompass artists and entertainers athletes.
(03:35):
And I noticed that there was a common theme right of either addiction or identity issues.
With that population and from my own experience as well.
Playing in college, just just dealing with that challenge.
And so I wanted to say it's steering that direction, even those difficult.
Like it's not.
It's been talking about more, but before it hadn't been so trying to specifically work with that clientele has been a journey.
(04:00):
But I'm definitely glad that.
Awesome. That's amazing. Yeah, I think.
When you first told me that that was like kind of where you're going yet.
Like when you're working on your masters and you're kind of doing your final dissertations and all of that kind of stuff.
I was like so amazed because I'm like, yes, this is the thing.
Like no one is talking about this.
(04:22):
And I know for me, I always like to have thoughtful conversations surrounding like my artistic creativity.
Not just about all our right songs, or I do this, but sometimes it's like the wiring of a creative person is different.
I feel like. And so I don't think enough people take that into consideration to where it's like, you know, you're dealing with a person who has a certain way of thinking.
(04:47):
And you kind of have to like adjust a little bit to the way that they're that thought patterns are.
So with what you do, why do you feel like creatives, specifically artistic creatives, because here I always say that everyone's creative, but artistically is kind of like the focus of this podcast.
But why do you think an artistically creative person should be aware of their mental health and why did you feel like it plays a role and why is what you do.
(05:16):
Why do you feel like it's necessary?
Yeah, with artistic creatives, and then we talked about the difference between the two specifically mental health is important for everyone, but definitely in that career because you're.
You're you're wearing much of your emotions on your sleeve like you're you're dealing with the challenges that come with the nature of being an artist, which can be comparison.
(05:38):
You know, rejections and things like that, but I just see overall you're in a more vulnerable position, you know, to people's opinions and things like that.
And so prioritizing your mental health while you're doing what you love is definitely key.
You know, it should be a priority. Yeah, so what do you think about the concept of, you know, I got to create from the darkest place of my soul like, you know, you get in your in the bare relationship and it's like, no, I got to go right about this.
(06:05):
You got to bust the windows out the kind, you know, all the kinds of how do you feel about the mentality that says you have to be in a certain mindset in order to create.
It has to be full of emotion. Yeah, and I think as I was thinking about it more where it comes from is like when you're in a, I don't know if I want to say sometimes it can be dysfunctional or sometimes it can just be like you just, you know, experience a breakup.
(06:29):
But I think it's the raw emotion that comes from that that you're able to utilize and it can enhance your art.
And so people attach to two like, oh, I just need to do something or being really the press state of mind to produce great art, you know, which you really don't, but maybe it's thinking about how you can access that vulnerability, those raw emotions in a healthier way.
(06:51):
So it's definitely not needed, you know, it can often happen because the person that's just more emotional, more vulnerable.
And just thinking in a different state of mind. Yeah, yeah, I agree with that. And I, it brings me to another point, something I like to do when I start off each episode is bringing a quote from an artist, some type of creative that, you know, something profound that they may have said in a song or on an interview or something like that.
(07:16):
I quote, Prince kind of a lot because I'm just personally like, he's a favorite mind.
But in jumping into like where we already started this discussion, there's a quote that he has that I wanted to share and it is everyone has their own experience.
That's why we are here to go through our experience to learn to go down those paths and eventually you may have gone down so many paths and learned so much that you don't have to go back to them again.
(07:42):
And I feel I picked that one because I feel like when we talk about the experience and the life of a creative person, a lot of times they are like kind of just narrow down to only what they do only what they create is only about how good they sing, right, draw, you know, act, whatever the case may be.
(08:04):
And there is no room for them to have the human experience and sometimes it's like, you know, you kind of see it even with like social media, you see if a creative in some regard has some kind of issue or something happens, everyone jumps on them and everyone's, you know, got all these things to say about them.
And if they're not an actual person going through probably the same stuff that everyone else is, but they're not given that permission or that freedom to, you know, have life happened to them too.
(08:34):
So what do you feel about that part of it and how do you feel like society has maybe a different concept when it comes to seeing creative person like not seeing them as a person.
And that's the hard part because it's like once you share your talent, you know, with the world, people naturally just have a certain perception of you and like you said, they may want to keep you in that box.
(08:57):
So if you say you do this, you take off with it, they're like, okay, you can only do that thing because if you move on to something different, maybe they have to adjust or it's uncomfortable or, you know, you just can't, they put you on a pedestal already.
And you know, it is unfair because you're still a human, you still make mistakes and you know, go through life like everyone else. And so it can be tough to navigate that, but it is still essential to try like as the individual not to just see yourself in one way, even if you are in a raising singer.
(09:29):
Continue to do that, but also expand, you know, like personality identity, hobbies outside of that one thing so, you know, it can help when things happen, you know, within that.
Yeah, how do you think like practically, because I know you said like hobbies and things like that, but how does one creative and talk to me because I've been there, they're a part of me, girl, help me.
(09:51):
But like, how do you make that distinction and that separation when, you know, you have that demand on you to show up and create and be this person in that setting where, you know, because you think about like scheduling, like, you always got to be somewhere so much going on and all that, how do you deal with trying to give yourself that room to have your humanity in the midst of having so much going on, you know.
(10:20):
Especially if you have like a really busy lifestyle in your, I think it's most high-faceted, right? I think about community, so like the circle you have around you and do you have people who are thinking in that way and not just like, OK, you know, make our make money and that's just it, are they thinking about you as a human and other aspects of your life.
(10:43):
And just finding what works for you, like I really do think it has to be a priority, especially if you have a busy schedule to do that. I'm trying to think of examples of people who have just like been open about what works for them. I think I, you know, read about Zendaya and someone asked her like, oh, what are you doing your free time and what, you know, expecting some extravagant answer.
And she's like, I stay at home. She's like, I'm always out, you know, doing the mirror, doing different things like that. And so when she does have free time, she just needs to be in home with someone she loves and just chillin out.
(11:15):
So finding what works for you and what feels you up outside of, you know, your career is done.
And see, even with that component, I do think that the support of like your community is so important. I know for me in my, where I am in my journey, I don't have a lot of that. And it's, um, it's more of a situation where I feel like a lot of people just see me doing things.
(11:37):
It's like, oh, she's doing all this amazing stuff. And she's all I, so it's never a thought that like, well, maybe she gets tired or maybe, you know, maybe it can be lonely, you know, good, you know, doing all of this stuff and all that.
And so sometimes for me, that's hard because I have to kind of find ways to like kind of unplug and sometimes I have to do that on my own, in my own strength a lot.
(12:03):
And so trying to figure out how to decompress by myself.
And you know, I do have a few, you know, a handful of people that get it, but most people is just like, oh, she's living her dream and she's doing so much.
It's so amazing.
And I'm like, yes, good, but I'm like, you know, I think the wall too sometimes.
(12:25):
Yeah.
And that's really key to because I think some people think about that.
Like you said, just like just because we see someone doing great things and they look happy all the time, let that's just their state and they don't need someone to talk to.
They don't need friends or community and things like that.
So that's important for everybody to consider like just because someone looks like they're doing great on the outside.
(12:49):
Doesn't mean they still need somebody.
Right.
Or that you're not, it's not all the way to the opposite side to where it's like, oh, she's doing all these things.
Or he's doing all those things, but they're like going through so much and they're just like crying up against the wall every night.
Like it may not be that extreme either.
It's just like very much like I'm just a person.
Yeah, you're a person.
(13:10):
I'm just a person living and doing so.
Yeah.
But I will say too, like when you think about artistic creatives, a lot of people, maybe that is the thing that people say, like, oh, you're not better than, but you're just on a different level.
Because you wow people with your art.
So I think maybe that could also be something that makes people think like they have it together.
(13:34):
Yeah, but no, just like an aspect of you still.
Yeah, it's literally.
And in most cases, I know for me, it's not.
I have control over like my creativity.
You know, I can do things or not.
But when I'm in that space in that zone, nothing else.
I'm not thinking about anything else.
(13:55):
So it's not like, you know, it just takes a different muscle kind of.
I'm just using a different muscle.
It's not like this is me all day, every day and every single thing I do is just like I have to channel something, you know, not, not no juju or nothing like that.
But you know, saying I just have to like focus.
I'd be very focused on the task at hand if it's, you know, singing and remembering.
I'm simultaneously on a stage remembering the next line to a song and trying to see, you know, make sure the whole thing is going to be.
(14:20):
You know, make sure the mic is in the right place.
I'm getting ready to pull this mic off the stance.
I got to be prepared for that.
And in this person, though, he had looking, I got acknowledged, you know, so it's a lot happening at one time.
And so you're not necessarily at ease, you know, there's, there's a lot of, there's a lot going on.
And you know, I know there used to be a time for me where I was early, early, early on.
(14:43):
And I have like nerve and my nerves would like get the best of me to the point where I'm barely thinking out or I'm not as confident and all that kind of stuff.
And I work through that.
But now it's still there.
The nerves are still there, but I just have to focus in a different way.
I have to like deal with my adrenaline and my anxiety to a point where I can still navigate through the moment.
(15:06):
How do you do that?
That's a lot of breathing.
I have to, I usually get really still by before I perform it, I have to get still and quiet.
So that's how I try to like get secluded because people are going to come up to you and talk to you and all that kind of stuff.
And I'm like, I can't even see you right now.
And I take every single, I don't care if I'm singing for three people at a bus stop.
(15:28):
Like I take it, I focus in and, you know, I take it really seriously in a moment.
And then I just, you know, one thing I do is I try to get still, you know, breathe, pray and just like, remember why I'm doing what I'm doing too.
That helps me too to just like focus on, okay, you get ready to do this thing.
It's not just another day doing something like there's some type of impact that's supposed to happen.
(15:50):
There's a connection that's supposed to be made.
So let me make sure I'm sensitive to that.
And, you know, then I go through and do it.
And I tell you, like I wish there was like a recorder in my brain that y'all can see what my brain is going through when I'm like on performing recording or whatever case would be.
It's a lot happening at once.
And so when you're done with that and the moment has passed, it's like this release, but then you got to like sit in everything that you just poured out.
(16:18):
So then it's like exhausting.
You feel like you just ran a marathon.
And you have to like come back down to one and so not having certain things available in those moments is kind of it can be challenging.
Like if, you know, you're scrambling and you got to pick up all of this up, you got to pack up and all this stuff and you're trying to like, you know, resolve what you just, your body let's just physically experienced and all of that.
(16:42):
So sometimes it's overwhelming.
And then I just want to like go somewhere sit down or maybe I want to go get some eat because a lot of times I'm too, too much going off and eating.
All of that kind of stuff.
So there's a lot of entities that I don't think people really get.
So it is.
I love that you're talking about it.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I don't really get the same bunch about it because it just happens, but like beginning, during and at the end, it's the whole cycle of things that happen.
(17:09):
So, you know, be kind to your like creative people that you know, because like we it's a whole situation.
So, yeah, a lot happening in those moments.
I love that you have a process before to a sound like you ground yourself and think about the why things like that to really just move in purpose and attention, which is true to you.
Yeah, yeah, I definitely try to do that in every step of the way.
(17:34):
So, yeah, so that's mostly how I navigate through those spaces.
Do you feel how do you feel about the overall like the patterns now that are popular in culture as a list, not just music, but just entertainment in general.
Do you feel like there is a healthy perception or perspective when it comes to like mental health as a list, Chris, or you feel like it's a lot of work that needs to be done or how you do.
(18:04):
I'm trying to think I feel like now in the entertainment space, mental health is definitely being talked about more, which is great.
So, I think there's been progress and obviously like there's still more work to do.
And I know we were talking about just like the, I don't know if it's called email, email music.
But that is being more popular for artists to, I'm just be very expressive even if it's, you know, sad emotions that they're experiencing and that they have an audience for it that really connects to it and, you know, it helps them.
(18:37):
So, it's, it's a space for, you know, I think in my mind, I just, I would hope that there's a next step, you know, so like after you create music like that, you know, you have people checking in on you or you getting professional.
And, you know, therapy or something, so you're moving to a healthier state.
(18:58):
Now, say you have to rush the person out of experiencing their emotions, but just trying to be there for them and helping get to a healthier state.
That's what I think about when I do here, music that could fall into that category.
Yeah, I agree. I think that on one hand is like, yeah, express yourself, be honest, be vulnerable.
(19:19):
I do think that there is a line of how you do that and where you are when you're doing that, because if you are performing for a arena full of people, there's no way for you to manage every single person in that audience in their, their individual journeys and what they want to, you don't know what they're going to leave that space and do or be a part of and all that kind of stuff.
(19:40):
I definitely feel like there is some kind of responsibility to circle that around with some other intervention or other, you know, tools and all that kind of stuff, because I feel a lot of times it's just like, this is what I do and take it as it is.
This is me, this is my expression and, you know, hating or loving it or whatever, but I do think there's like a responsibility piece to that.
(20:01):
I don't know when I first came out, I was very much, all my songs were about like breakups and like all of this stuff.
So when I first first started, but then after a while, I was like, let me make this makes sense because yes, I could talk about the experience.
But if I'm writing something from a place of deep emotion, whatever that emotion is and I never around it out, then forever this song is going to be out in the earth for people to absorb from my place of brokenness.
(20:33):
So they're getting the broken part of me, they're not getting broken and resolved and then did this, they're just getting, you know, so that's why you know, there's like songs that you listen to, you want to go get a fight.
I'm gonna say this story. When I was a young lad, younger teenager, I was, I was, I had this boyfriend shout out.
The boy messed around with some other girl and me and my friend, her name is Bridget. I always sell this story. Bridget.
(21:00):
Me, Bridget and Taj, we went to go see eight mouths. That was just like them like, let's go out, you know, you going through all this stuff? Let's go out. We go see eight mouths.
We come out the theater like, yeah, so we go to this girl house. He was best of it. I stay in the car. My friends, they turned up and they, they yelling at the girl down the street and all of this kind of, and up.
(21:24):
So dramatic. Like, it was a lot happening. That story to this day is hilarious.
Like going on, but I say that to say we took the moment of like this, whatever we thought this gangster music was or whatever we thought Eminem was doing at the time.
And we let that empower us to go like, be do all of this stuff. And meanwhile, the movie, you know, Eminem going on with his life. And I'm out here just like, right, you know, what was happening? What do we be? I don't know.
(21:55):
This is why mental health matters. But so all of that going on and like using those moments where we didn't have a resolution. Like there was nothing like, yes, you're going through this.
Yes, it's a hard time. However, there's another way to, you know, look at this and come out of it and you can still like be true to what you experience. It can still be your reality.
(22:22):
But you don't have to stay stuck there forever, you know, so that's what they can get.
Yeah, speaks to the power of music, though, like how it truly has the power to move people who listen. Then I also think about the artists when they created are they in a space to know, like, OK, this is the resolution.
Or this we should can do because I think a lot of times they may not have that. And so that's the difficult part. But yeah, you know, like how in movies, if they're talking about a sensitive topic, like, yeah, like suicide or rather the case, maybe, and they have, you know, if you were someone, you know, is experiencing these some films and call, you know, they have a line.
(23:04):
So, yeah, I wonder if it could be something similar, maybe on an album or like a song is, it can be touchy right here.
Yeah, no, I agree. I think that it also comes down to like the artists themselves and how they see life because if you are not in that space, you can't really advise somebody, right, do this or do better, like, you know, you're out where you're at.
(23:27):
So that's where that responsibility pieces and I think there is back in the day when artists were coming up, especially in the music industry, there was something called artist development.
They say they have that now, but it really doesn't exist to be quite artists. But that means you, you identify someone with a talent and you get them, you know, you take them on and you see like their whole life story and you help develop them into a person.
(23:53):
So you give them public speaking training and all these different things so that they can like, helpfully go through their career.
That's a lost art now. It's not a thing that happens is just like, can you make us money? How many followers you got? Come on. We'll sign you that kind of thing.
But what artists development did to an extent, it gave some type of stability to help the person like cope with what they were in, like the reality of their life.
(24:18):
Because if you take some type of creative person from whatever kind of background they have, you give them money and access and fame, like that's overwhelming for a person.
And just the attention alone can be a lot. So if there's no kind of guide on how to deal with this stuff, you just get out there and it's all kind of stuff happening.
And it's erratic and you know, all of these things that we see now happen with the, you know, the drug use and all of these, you know, just wanting to like not even be sober in any aspect.
(24:49):
You want to perform drunk and high and, you know, core drunk and high and all of this kind of stuff. And, you know, everyone is on their journey, their individual journey.
So, but I would hope that we get back to a place where it's like you want to see the artists like have a full healthy, successful career and still be like a, you know, a healthy human being too.
(25:14):
But, you know, we're still here at the same time. So, that's another part that's just kind of like missing. I feel like today, because it's everything so quick and fast. And like, who's the next thing and what's the next thing and no one wants to take the time to make sure and that's why we see all these tragedies and the industry and all that kind of stuff.
So, which is motivating me to, you know, go down that route.
Yeah.
And it's like, you know, sometimes I don't know if artists may think that or you have to choose between being healthy or, you know, putting out great music, great art, whatever case may be.
(25:45):
But you can do both. But the nature of the industry and of being an artist, it is challenging.
So, oftentimes they, they fully they need in the moment something to cope in it, typically, yeah, sure, because all of us is not.
What other perspectives or thoughts do you have just about surrounding what you do and what you see that you would like to like maybe share with those that maybe watching that are artistic creatives that might be helpful tools for them.
(26:16):
Yeah. I would say I'm really big on identity and establishing values.
And I think that's something when you talk about artists development when you're describing them like you have like that needed that that's something that could be helpful. But in anything in life, but especially going into a career where people are going to be heavy on opinions and trying to make you look like the next person knowing who you are.
(26:40):
And then knowing what your values are in life. And that's not just spiritual, but just what and when I say values, I mean what is most important to you in life.
And what is your work or view beginning to think about those things and making sure it's true to you so that we do go out in the world and navigate different career paths.
You you're more strong on that foundation and you're not as easy to just be impressed upon or to change up and not feel you know authentic.
(27:09):
That would be like the strongest advice I have is to really take the time to navigate explore your identity, your values and making sure things aren't mine with that.
Yeah. What do you think is a practical step or someone who is just trying to find themselves like they know that they have some type of gift or talent or whatever.
(27:31):
And they just like, I don't know what to do. I don't know where I fit in. I don't know, you know what my thing is or whatever outside of the talent portion. How do you psychologically like process your identity? Like how do you find it?
I typically would like to ask a lot of questions.
Yeah, if I'm working 101 with someone, but we have actually a lot of questions to explore like what you know, do you naturally care about the most? What are you most passionate about?
(28:01):
What are you intrinsically motivated by? And so that just means basically what is something that you know someone would necessarily need to hype you up for or keep reminding you, oh, did you go to the gym today?
Because you just naturally have that within yourself to do. And so that can oftentimes lead to something that is just innate within you that you enjoy thinking about.
(28:25):
If I'm helping someone explore values that could have like a list of hundreds of values to know or like a list of 50 and they can go through a circle which ones they feel resonate with them and then we can begin to explore.
It is really helpful to have someone, you know, sit there with you to ask questions so it doesn't feel as overwhelming because it certainly can be like that's a huge thing to think about when it comes to identity values of the world.
(28:53):
Yeah, so a practical space, I would say to think about those things, you know, if you have to think about what's most important to you in life, if you have to think about things you're intrinsically motivated by.
And you start there, do you feel like it's necessary to do that work before even entering into the space or can you discover it along the way?
(29:16):
Yeah, and it's not a, it's definitely something that can change right so something you value now it can be different, you know, five years from now.
I would say is extremely helpful to have an idea if not be grounded on that before you enter that space, especially something like the industry, but you certainly can do it while you're in it.
(29:37):
Definitely just need that community around you in space time and space, so really explore process that because there will be a lot thrown at you.
Do you have experiences in your practice with people who feel like pressure to become something that they're not or that they know that they're not in this just kind of journeying through their careers.
(30:01):
Yeah, definitely, especially when you're first starting out right and if it feels are difficult and you see something somebody else doing something that's appearing to get them more success, more attention.
It can be very tempting to say well let me just start doing the thing doing even if it doesn't feel right within yourself and a lot of people do it and they may get the attention, but you always have that internal conflict that internal somewhere in there where it doesn't quite feel right and you have to sit with that.
(30:33):
Yeah, at the end of the day, no matter how much praise you get you have to sit with that that discomfort of being you know of not being aligned.
You're often sick self. Yeah, I think that also ties into getting into a space of too much comparison, like comparing yourself to the next person's thing and what it is that they're doing.
(30:54):
So how do you feel like or what are your thoughts on comparison is comparison ever a good idea or is it always the wrong.
Yeah, I don't definitely think it's the wrong thing to do because it's like someone else, everybody is unique right and so you're comparing yourself to something.
And then everybody else has a completely different situation, a completely different life, completely different, you know, what it can be lie to.
(31:17):
Yeah, but back to like you really don't know they can feel oh this person has it all together and you don't know that has to be like really.
And so while it's tempting to compare and we all may struggle with it at one point or another, I always like to remind clients, but it's your, is your narrative.
And that's why what's the point of comparing yourself to someone else. You really does still enjoy some, yeah, comparison is definitely not the way you go even.
(31:43):
And people will try to compare you though and that's going to make it more difficult.
Yeah, because even in athletic space, oh you have to look at your competition, who else is foreign this many points, who else is.
And so the world and society in a way does set you up to think that, you know, it takes a conscious effort to step out of that.
And yeah, there's usually with singers in my experience, it's always, well, who do you sound like, who you compare yourself to.
(32:11):
And that is something that plagued me for a while to the point where I would be singing and trying to perform like someone because it's like, I got to, I got to look like something because I've had people tell me in the past like, well, you have to sound like somebody, who do you sound like, because I would say, I don't think I sound like anybody.
And I would say, you know, you have to sound like someone and they'll try to put a label on me and so then I would start to say like, oh, I guess I sound like so and so mixed with this and mixed with that.
(32:38):
But hey, got to a point where so many people like every time it was different. It's like, oh, you know, you're, you're sound is so unique or this is so different and all of that.
And I began to feel like, maybe this is okay because I don't know where to put myself.
Maybe it's okay to just not sound like anybody else. So once I got to that point and I actually, I started working with a vocal coach who is like a therapist and a pastor.
(33:01):
But she had to like stop me like, you are trying to sound and be something that you're not as if what you are is not enough.
And it is like, there's you have an identity of a code on you that's very specific. So you have to express that and then figure out who wants that as opposed to trying to give them what you think they want because they like this over there or that over there.
(33:25):
So that whole like comparison thing and all that. So now it's like when people ask me like, what's your music sound like? I would like, it's mine.
I can tell you what genre it sounds like, but I can't tell you who I sound like as another person because I'm my own person. I definitely definitely agree with that.
So I feel like we kind of talked about some of the main things that are happening today. Do you feel like you have any.
(33:53):
Because you're not a creative person in the artistic way. Do you feel like singer? I'm not a closest thing that came to the art movement when I was at.
Okay, so playing basketball. Well, I think you okay. Well, I think that takes some creativity to be out here in volume.
Okay, so, okay. So you don't do like the traditional or the more common things that people associate with art, like singing, dancing, that kind of thing.
(34:16):
So did you kind of walk into it because of your athleticism?
Yeah.
And it just tranquil from there.
Yeah, so outside of just like being an athlete, I would honestly just have the curiosity and I don't know if it was like God or what it was.
But when I would see obviously just like pop culture news and things like that. And you hear about, oh, this is what happened with this artist.
(34:38):
And I would just wonder, like, what is our life like behind the scenes? Like what is and I would just be naturally curious about that.
And seeing the issue right of addiction and why is it so free of common with this population. Be curious about that. And so that led me to, I want to focus on the mental health of artists and performance.
And just like really carrying this is really really good. I think this is a good place to pause. I feel like we can dig in a little bit deeper into this conversation.
(35:07):
So what we're going to do is we're going to be back for another episode of the creative process. I can't give it all to you at once. You got to come back. You know, we're trying to grow here.
So make sure to into the very next episode. We'll do part two of the creative process podcast featuring the love of this.
Are you my re and we're going to be into some more stuff. So I'm excited. So you don't have to.
Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode.
(35:30):
If you want to learn more about the podcast, you can go to creative in process.com where you can sign up for email alerts, connect on social media and submit your feedback, thoughts and questions to have them included in the future episode.
If you want to connect with me directly, you can find me at me, L.N. Music on all social media platforms. And please like, comment, share, subscribe.
(35:52):
Tell somebody about this podcast because it only goes as far as you help it grow. I'll see you next time. Thanks for tuning in. Peace out.
(keyboard clicking)
[Music]
(00:12):
I'm in crisis, a working progress,
It's all been serving,
I do that service,
Like one tap to the step,
Until that new step gives me all purpose
You know we worked it,
You're so me crisis,
A working progress,
You know we worked it,
You're so me,
You're so me,
(00:34):
You're so me,
You're so me,
You're so me,
[Music]
What's up?
Welcome once again to the Creative Improcess Podcast,
The Creatively Thoughtful Podcast for thoughtful creators who like podcasts.
(00:55):
I'm your host, Mia Lynn, and I am here with an amazing guest.
I told you I was going to have some extra stuff, stuff happening,
It's y'all need to be knowing, stuff be going on.
But I have a guest that I'm super duper excited about,
And we're going to jump right in.
This is my girl,
And expertise of the of the hour,
Miss Aurel Mairee,
I'm going to give you her rundown of her,
(01:17):
Because she got credentials, okay?
So another thing,
I don't just be bringing people,
Just talk, you know,
Because I know how a podcast sometimes everyone's going to get on,
Hammer and just talk about their own personal opinions about stuff.
But I actually like to have people that know what they're talking about.
So Aurel is a mental health therapist,
And coach who consults with film and television writers and producers to ensure
(01:41):
The accurate depictions of mental health themes.
She also specializes in working with athletes, entertainers,
And artists who may be struggling with identity and value outside of their industry.
As a former college basketball player,
Aurel understands the difficulty,
Dynamic of mastering one's identity outside of a career,
While still maintaining excellence in high performance.
(02:04):
She is known for helping people maintain their holistic health and values,
While thriving in the demanding lifestyle.
In addition to consulting on entertainment related topics,
Aurel is developing a mental health in production workshop curriculum for producers,
To learn best practices for psychological safety of cast and crew members.
Aurel received her Masters in Mental Health counseling from Trinity International University,
(02:28):
And is currently a PhD student at Saber University,
To utilize this cognitive behavior therapy,
Motivational interviewing, existential therapy,
And expressive arts therapy in her work with clients.
So welcome to Miss Aurel, my Re.
Thank you so much for being here. I'm super excited about this.
Aurel and I, we have conversations just in general in life,
(02:51):
It's my home, girl.
And I think I'm just so fascinated with your line of work
And the way that you took something as powerful as mental health
And just found a niche that I feel is so completely overlooked.
So I want you to share a little bit about why you decided to kind of cater
(03:13):
Your practice in the area that you did.
Yes, so happy to be here. Thank you so much.
We always have our conversations, though.
I'm was happy to be here.
B.S. So when I started in mental health and was thinking about what, you know,
Specialty area I would want to go into.
Performers came in mind, so performers can encompass artists and entertainers athletes.
(03:35):
And I noticed that there was a common theme right of either addiction or identity issues.
With that population and from my own experience as well.
Playing in college, just just dealing with that challenge.
And so I wanted to say it's steering that direction, even those difficult.
Like it's not.
It's been talking about more, but before it hadn't been so trying to specifically work with that clientele has been a journey.
(04:00):
But I'm definitely glad that.
Awesome. That's amazing. Yeah, I think.
When you first told me that that was like kind of where you're going yet.
Like when you're working on your masters and you're kind of doing your final dissertations and all of that kind of stuff.
I was like so amazed because I'm like, yes, this is the thing.
Like no one is talking about this.
(04:22):
And I know for me, I always like to have thoughtful conversations surrounding like my artistic creativity.
Not just about all our right songs, or I do this, but sometimes it's like the wiring of a creative person is different.
I feel like. And so I don't think enough people take that into consideration to where it's like, you know, you're dealing with a person who has a certain way of thinking.
(04:47):
And you kind of have to like adjust a little bit to the way that they're that thought patterns are.
So with what you do, why do you feel like creatives, specifically artistic creatives, because here I always say that everyone's creative, but artistically is kind of like the focus of this podcast.
But why do you think an artistically creative person should be aware of their mental health and why did you feel like it plays a role and why is what you do.
(05:16):
Why do you feel like it's necessary?
Yeah, with artistic creatives, and then we talked about the difference between the two specifically mental health is important for everyone, but definitely in that career because you're.
You're you're wearing much of your emotions on your sleeve like you're you're dealing with the challenges that come with the nature of being an artist, which can be comparison.
(05:38):
You know, rejections and things like that, but I just see overall you're in a more vulnerable position, you know, to people's opinions and things like that.
And so prioritizing your mental health while you're doing what you love is definitely key.
You know, it should be a priority. Yeah, so what do you think about the concept of, you know, I got to create from the darkest place of my soul like, you know, you get in your in the bare relationship and it's like, no, I got to go right about this.
(06:05):
You got to bust the windows out the kind, you know, all the kinds of how do you feel about the mentality that says you have to be in a certain mindset in order to create.
It has to be full of emotion. Yeah, and I think as I was thinking about it more where it comes from is like when you're in a, I don't know if I want to say sometimes it can be dysfunctional or sometimes it can just be like you just, you know, experience a breakup.
(06:29):
But I think it's the raw emotion that comes from that that you're able to utilize and it can enhance your art.
And so people attach to two like, oh, I just need to do something or being really the press state of mind to produce great art, you know, which you really don't, but maybe it's thinking about how you can access that vulnerability, those raw emotions in a healthier way.
(06:51):
So it's definitely not needed, you know, it can often happen because the person that's just more emotional, more vulnerable.
And just thinking in a different state of mind. Yeah, yeah, I agree with that. And I, it brings me to another point, something I like to do when I start off each episode is bringing a quote from an artist, some type of creative that, you know, something profound that they may have said in a song or on an interview or something like that.
(07:16):
I quote, Prince kind of a lot because I'm just personally like, he's a favorite mind.
But in jumping into like where we already started this discussion, there's a quote that he has that I wanted to share and it is everyone has their own experience.
That's why we are here to go through our experience to learn to go down those paths and eventually you may have gone down so many paths and learned so much that you don't have to go back to them again.
(07:42):
And I feel I picked that one because I feel like when we talk about the experience and the life of a creative person, a lot of times they are like kind of just narrow down to only what they do only what they create is only about how good they sing, right, draw, you know, act, whatever the case may be.
(08:04):
And there is no room for them to have the human experience and sometimes it's like, you know, you kind of see it even with like social media, you see if a creative in some regard has some kind of issue or something happens, everyone jumps on them and everyone's, you know, got all these things to say about them.
And if they're not an actual person going through probably the same stuff that everyone else is, but they're not given that permission or that freedom to, you know, have life happened to them too.
(08:34):
So what do you feel about that part of it and how do you feel like society has maybe a different concept when it comes to seeing creative person like not seeing them as a person.
And that's the hard part because it's like once you share your talent, you know, with the world, people naturally just have a certain perception of you and like you said, they may want to keep you in that box.
(08:57):
So if you say you do this, you take off with it, they're like, okay, you can only do that thing because if you move on to something different, maybe they have to adjust or it's uncomfortable or, you know, you just can't, they put you on a pedestal already.
And you know, it is unfair because you're still a human, you still make mistakes and you know, go through life like everyone else. And so it can be tough to navigate that, but it is still essential to try like as the individual not to just see yourself in one way, even if you are in a raising singer.
(09:29):
Continue to do that, but also expand, you know, like personality identity, hobbies outside of that one thing so, you know, it can help when things happen, you know, within that.
Yeah, how do you think like practically, because I know you said like hobbies and things like that, but how does one creative and talk to me because I've been there, they're a part of me, girl, help me.
(09:51):
But like, how do you make that distinction and that separation when, you know, you have that demand on you to show up and create and be this person in that setting where, you know, because you think about like scheduling, like, you always got to be somewhere so much going on and all that, how do you deal with trying to give yourself that room to have your humanity in the midst of having so much going on, you know.
(10:20):
Especially if you have like a really busy lifestyle in your, I think it's most high-faceted, right? I think about community, so like the circle you have around you and do you have people who are thinking in that way and not just like, OK, you know, make our make money and that's just it, are they thinking about you as a human and other aspects of your life.
(10:43):
And just finding what works for you, like I really do think it has to be a priority, especially if you have a busy schedule to do that. I'm trying to think of examples of people who have just like been open about what works for them. I think I, you know, read about Zendaya and someone asked her like, oh, what are you doing your free time and what, you know, expecting some extravagant answer.
And she's like, I stay at home. She's like, I'm always out, you know, doing the mirror, doing different things like that. And so when she does have free time, she just needs to be in home with someone she loves and just chillin out.
(11:15):
So finding what works for you and what feels you up outside of, you know, your career is done.
And see, even with that component, I do think that the support of like your community is so important. I know for me in my, where I am in my journey, I don't have a lot of that. And it's, um, it's more of a situation where I feel like a lot of people just see me doing things.
(11:37):
It's like, oh, she's doing all this amazing stuff. And she's all I, so it's never a thought that like, well, maybe she gets tired or maybe, you know, maybe it can be lonely, you know, good, you know, doing all of this stuff and all that.
And so sometimes for me, that's hard because I have to kind of find ways to like kind of unplug and sometimes I have to do that on my own, in my own strength a lot.
(12:03):
And so trying to figure out how to decompress by myself.
And you know, I do have a few, you know, a handful of people that get it, but most people is just like, oh, she's living her dream and she's doing so much.
It's so amazing.
And I'm like, yes, good, but I'm like, you know, I think the wall too sometimes.
(12:25):
Yeah.
And that's really key to because I think some people think about that.
Like you said, just like just because we see someone doing great things and they look happy all the time, let that's just their state and they don't need someone to talk to.
They don't need friends or community and things like that.
So that's important for everybody to consider like just because someone looks like they're doing great on the outside.
(12:49):
Doesn't mean they still need somebody.
Right.
Or that you're not, it's not all the way to the opposite side to where it's like, oh, she's doing all these things.
Or he's doing all those things, but they're like going through so much and they're just like crying up against the wall every night.
Like it may not be that extreme either.
It's just like very much like I'm just a person.
Yeah, you're a person.
(13:10):
I'm just a person living and doing so.
Yeah.
But I will say too, like when you think about artistic creatives, a lot of people, maybe that is the thing that people say, like, oh, you're not better than, but you're just on a different level.
Because you wow people with your art.
So I think maybe that could also be something that makes people think like they have it together.
(13:34):
Yeah, but no, just like an aspect of you still.
Yeah, it's literally.
And in most cases, I know for me, it's not.
I have control over like my creativity.
You know, I can do things or not.
But when I'm in that space in that zone, nothing else.
I'm not thinking about anything else.
(13:55):
So it's not like, you know, it just takes a different muscle kind of.
I'm just using a different muscle.
It's not like this is me all day, every day and every single thing I do is just like I have to channel something, you know, not, not no juju or nothing like that.
But you know, saying I just have to like focus.
I'd be very focused on the task at hand if it's, you know, singing and remembering.
I'm simultaneously on a stage remembering the next line to a song and trying to see, you know, make sure the whole thing is going to be.
(14:20):
You know, make sure the mic is in the right place.
I'm getting ready to pull this mic off the stance.
I got to be prepared for that.
And in this person, though, he had looking, I got acknowledged, you know, so it's a lot happening at one time.
And so you're not necessarily at ease, you know, there's, there's a lot of, there's a lot going on.
And you know, I know there used to be a time for me where I was early, early, early on.
(14:43):
And I have like nerve and my nerves would like get the best of me to the point where I'm barely thinking out or I'm not as confident and all that kind of stuff.
And I work through that.
But now it's still there.
The nerves are still there, but I just have to focus in a different way.
I have to like deal with my adrenaline and my anxiety to a point where I can still navigate through the moment.
(15:06):
How do you do that?
That's a lot of breathing.
I have to, I usually get really still by before I perform it, I have to get still and quiet.
So that's how I try to like get secluded because people are going to come up to you and talk to you and all that kind of stuff.
And I'm like, I can't even see you right now.
And I take every single, I don't care if I'm singing for three people at a bus stop.
(15:28):
Like I take it, I focus in and, you know, I take it really seriously in a moment.
And then I just, you know, one thing I do is I try to get still, you know, breathe, pray and just like, remember why I'm doing what I'm doing too.
That helps me too to just like focus on, okay, you get ready to do this thing.
It's not just another day doing something like there's some type of impact that's supposed to happen.
(15:50):
There's a connection that's supposed to be made.
So let me make sure I'm sensitive to that.
And, you know, then I go through and do it.
And I tell you, like I wish there was like a recorder in my brain that y'all can see what my brain is going through when I'm like on performing recording or whatever case would be.
It's a lot happening at once.
And so when you're done with that and the moment has passed, it's like this release, but then you got to like sit in everything that you just poured out.
(16:18):
So then it's like exhausting.
You feel like you just ran a marathon.
And you have to like come back down to one and so not having certain things available in those moments is kind of it can be challenging.
Like if, you know, you're scrambling and you got to pick up all of this up, you got to pack up and all this stuff and you're trying to like, you know, resolve what you just, your body let's just physically experienced and all of that.
(16:42):
So sometimes it's overwhelming.
And then I just want to like go somewhere sit down or maybe I want to go get some eat because a lot of times I'm too, too much going off and eating.
All of that kind of stuff.
So there's a lot of entities that I don't think people really get.
So it is.
I love that you're talking about it.
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I don't really get the same bunch about it because it just happens, but like beginning, during and at the end, it's the whole cycle of things that happen.
(17:09):
So, you know, be kind to your like creative people that you know, because like we it's a whole situation.
So, yeah, a lot happening in those moments.
I love that you have a process before to a sound like you ground yourself and think about the why things like that to really just move in purpose and attention, which is true to you.
Yeah, yeah, I definitely try to do that in every step of the way.
(17:34):
So, yeah, so that's mostly how I navigate through those spaces.
Do you feel how do you feel about the overall like the patterns now that are popular in culture as a list, not just music, but just entertainment in general.
Do you feel like there is a healthy perception or perspective when it comes to like mental health as a list, Chris, or you feel like it's a lot of work that needs to be done or how you do.
(18:04):
I'm trying to think I feel like now in the entertainment space, mental health is definitely being talked about more, which is great.
So, I think there's been progress and obviously like there's still more work to do.
And I know we were talking about just like the, I don't know if it's called email, email music.
But that is being more popular for artists to, I'm just be very expressive even if it's, you know, sad emotions that they're experiencing and that they have an audience for it that really connects to it and, you know, it helps them.
(18:37):
So, it's, it's a space for, you know, I think in my mind, I just, I would hope that there's a next step, you know, so like after you create music like that, you know, you have people checking in on you or you getting professional.
And, you know, therapy or something, so you're moving to a healthier state.
(18:58):
Now, say you have to rush the person out of experiencing their emotions, but just trying to be there for them and helping get to a healthier state.
That's what I think about when I do here, music that could fall into that category.
Yeah, I agree. I think that on one hand is like, yeah, express yourself, be honest, be vulnerable.
(19:19):
I do think that there is a line of how you do that and where you are when you're doing that, because if you are performing for a arena full of people, there's no way for you to manage every single person in that audience in their, their individual journeys and what they want to, you don't know what they're going to leave that space and do or be a part of and all that kind of stuff.
(19:40):
I definitely feel like there is some kind of responsibility to circle that around with some other intervention or other, you know, tools and all that kind of stuff, because I feel a lot of times it's just like, this is what I do and take it as it is.
This is me, this is my expression and, you know, hating or loving it or whatever, but I do think there's like a responsibility piece to that.
(20:01):
I don't know when I first came out, I was very much, all my songs were about like breakups and like all of this stuff.
So when I first first started, but then after a while, I was like, let me make this makes sense because yes, I could talk about the experience.
But if I'm writing something from a place of deep emotion, whatever that emotion is and I never around it out, then forever this song is going to be out in the earth for people to absorb from my place of brokenness.
(20:33):
So they're getting the broken part of me, they're not getting broken and resolved and then did this, they're just getting, you know, so that's why you know, there's like songs that you listen to, you want to go get a fight.
I'm gonna say this story. When I was a young lad, younger teenager, I was, I was, I had this boyfriend shout out.
The boy messed around with some other girl and me and my friend, her name is Bridget. I always sell this story. Bridget.
(21:00):
Me, Bridget and Taj, we went to go see eight mouths. That was just like them like, let's go out, you know, you going through all this stuff? Let's go out. We go see eight mouths.
We come out the theater like, yeah, so we go to this girl house. He was best of it. I stay in the car. My friends, they turned up and they, they yelling at the girl down the street and all of this kind of, and up.
(21:24):
So dramatic. Like, it was a lot happening. That story to this day is hilarious.
Like going on, but I say that to say we took the moment of like this, whatever we thought this gangster music was or whatever we thought Eminem was doing at the time.
And we let that empower us to go like, be do all of this stuff. And meanwhile, the movie, you know, Eminem going on with his life. And I'm out here just like, right, you know, what was happening? What do we be? I don't know.
(21:55):
This is why mental health matters. But so all of that going on and like using those moments where we didn't have a resolution. Like there was nothing like, yes, you're going through this.
Yes, it's a hard time. However, there's another way to, you know, look at this and come out of it and you can still like be true to what you experience. It can still be your reality.
(22:22):
But you don't have to stay stuck there forever, you know, so that's what they can get.
Yeah, speaks to the power of music, though, like how it truly has the power to move people who listen. Then I also think about the artists when they created are they in a space to know, like, OK, this is the resolution.
Or this we should can do because I think a lot of times they may not have that. And so that's the difficult part. But yeah, you know, like how in movies, if they're talking about a sensitive topic, like, yeah, like suicide or rather the case, maybe, and they have, you know, if you were someone, you know, is experiencing these some films and call, you know, they have a line.
(23:04):
So, yeah, I wonder if it could be something similar, maybe on an album or like a song is, it can be touchy right here.
Yeah, no, I agree. I think that it also comes down to like the artists themselves and how they see life because if you are not in that space, you can't really advise somebody, right, do this or do better, like, you know, you're out where you're at.
(23:27):
So that's where that responsibility pieces and I think there is back in the day when artists were coming up, especially in the music industry, there was something called artist development.
They say they have that now, but it really doesn't exist to be quite artists. But that means you, you identify someone with a talent and you get them, you know, you take them on and you see like their whole life story and you help develop them into a person.
(23:53):
So you give them public speaking training and all these different things so that they can like, helpfully go through their career.
That's a lost art now. It's not a thing that happens is just like, can you make us money? How many followers you got? Come on. We'll sign you that kind of thing.
But what artists development did to an extent, it gave some type of stability to help the person like cope with what they were in, like the reality of their life.
(24:18):
Because if you take some type of creative person from whatever kind of background they have, you give them money and access and fame, like that's overwhelming for a person.
And just the attention alone can be a lot. So if there's no kind of guide on how to deal with this stuff, you just get out there and it's all kind of stuff happening.
And it's erratic and you know, all of these things that we see now happen with the, you know, the drug use and all of these, you know, just wanting to like not even be sober in any aspect.
(24:49):
You want to perform drunk and high and, you know, core drunk and high and all of this kind of stuff. And, you know, everyone is on their journey, their individual journey.
So, but I would hope that we get back to a place where it's like you want to see the artists like have a full healthy, successful career and still be like a, you know, a healthy human being too.
(25:14):
But, you know, we're still here at the same time. So, that's another part that's just kind of like missing. I feel like today, because it's everything so quick and fast. And like, who's the next thing and what's the next thing and no one wants to take the time to make sure and that's why we see all these tragedies and the industry and all that kind of stuff.
So, which is motivating me to, you know, go down that route.
Yeah.
And it's like, you know, sometimes I don't know if artists may think that or you have to choose between being healthy or, you know, putting out great music, great art, whatever case may be.
(25:45):
But you can do both. But the nature of the industry and of being an artist, it is challenging.
So, oftentimes they, they fully they need in the moment something to cope in it, typically, yeah, sure, because all of us is not.
What other perspectives or thoughts do you have just about surrounding what you do and what you see that you would like to like maybe share with those that maybe watching that are artistic creatives that might be helpful tools for them.
(26:16):
Yeah. I would say I'm really big on identity and establishing values.
And I think that's something when you talk about artists development when you're describing them like you have like that needed that that's something that could be helpful. But in anything in life, but especially going into a career where people are going to be heavy on opinions and trying to make you look like the next person knowing who you are.
(26:40):
And then knowing what your values are in life. And that's not just spiritual, but just what and when I say values, I mean what is most important to you in life.
And what is your work or view beginning to think about those things and making sure it's true to you so that we do go out in the world and navigate different career paths.
You you're more strong on that foundation and you're not as easy to just be impressed upon or to change up and not feel you know authentic.
(27:09):
That would be like the strongest advice I have is to really take the time to navigate explore your identity, your values and making sure things aren't mine with that.
Yeah. What do you think is a practical step or someone who is just trying to find themselves like they know that they have some type of gift or talent or whatever.
(27:31):
And they just like, I don't know what to do. I don't know where I fit in. I don't know, you know what my thing is or whatever outside of the talent portion. How do you psychologically like process your identity? Like how do you find it?
I typically would like to ask a lot of questions.
Yeah, if I'm working 101 with someone, but we have actually a lot of questions to explore like what you know, do you naturally care about the most? What are you most passionate about?
(28:01):
What are you intrinsically motivated by? And so that just means basically what is something that you know someone would necessarily need to hype you up for or keep reminding you, oh, did you go to the gym today?
Because you just naturally have that within yourself to do. And so that can oftentimes lead to something that is just innate within you that you enjoy thinking about.
(28:25):
If I'm helping someone explore values that could have like a list of hundreds of values to know or like a list of 50 and they can go through a circle which ones they feel resonate with them and then we can begin to explore.
It is really helpful to have someone, you know, sit there with you to ask questions so it doesn't feel as overwhelming because it certainly can be like that's a huge thing to think about when it comes to identity values of the world.
(28:53):
Yeah, so a practical space, I would say to think about those things, you know, if you have to think about what's most important to you in life, if you have to think about things you're intrinsically motivated by.
And you start there, do you feel like it's necessary to do that work before even entering into the space or can you discover it along the way?
(29:16):
Yeah, and it's not a, it's definitely something that can change right so something you value now it can be different, you know, five years from now.
I would say is extremely helpful to have an idea if not be grounded on that before you enter that space, especially something like the industry, but you certainly can do it while you're in it.
(29:37):
Definitely just need that community around you in space time and space, so really explore process that because there will be a lot thrown at you.
Do you have experiences in your practice with people who feel like pressure to become something that they're not or that they know that they're not in this just kind of journeying through their careers.
(30:01):
Yeah, definitely, especially when you're first starting out right and if it feels are difficult and you see something somebody else doing something that's appearing to get them more success, more attention.
It can be very tempting to say well let me just start doing the thing doing even if it doesn't feel right within yourself and a lot of people do it and they may get the attention, but you always have that internal conflict that internal somewhere in there where it doesn't quite feel right and you have to sit with that.
(30:33):
Yeah, at the end of the day, no matter how much praise you get you have to sit with that that discomfort of being you know of not being aligned.
You're often sick self. Yeah, I think that also ties into getting into a space of too much comparison, like comparing yourself to the next person's thing and what it is that they're doing.
(30:54):
So how do you feel like or what are your thoughts on comparison is comparison ever a good idea or is it always the wrong.
Yeah, I don't definitely think it's the wrong thing to do because it's like someone else, everybody is unique right and so you're comparing yourself to something.
And then everybody else has a completely different situation, a completely different life, completely different, you know, what it can be lie to.
(31:17):
Yeah, but back to like you really don't know they can feel oh this person has it all together and you don't know that has to be like really.
And so while it's tempting to compare and we all may struggle with it at one point or another, I always like to remind clients, but it's your, is your narrative.
And that's why what's the point of comparing yourself to someone else. You really does still enjoy some, yeah, comparison is definitely not the way you go even.
(31:43):
And people will try to compare you though and that's going to make it more difficult.
Yeah, because even in athletic space, oh you have to look at your competition, who else is foreign this many points, who else is.
And so the world and society in a way does set you up to think that, you know, it takes a conscious effort to step out of that.
And yeah, there's usually with singers in my experience, it's always, well, who do you sound like, who you compare yourself to.
(32:11):
And that is something that plagued me for a while to the point where I would be singing and trying to perform like someone because it's like, I got to, I got to look like something because I've had people tell me in the past like, well, you have to sound like somebody, who do you sound like, because I would say, I don't think I sound like anybody.
And I would say, you know, you have to sound like someone and they'll try to put a label on me and so then I would start to say like, oh, I guess I sound like so and so mixed with this and mixed with that.
(32:38):
But hey, got to a point where so many people like every time it was different. It's like, oh, you know, you're, you're sound is so unique or this is so different and all of that.
And I began to feel like, maybe this is okay because I don't know where to put myself.
Maybe it's okay to just not sound like anybody else. So once I got to that point and I actually, I started working with a vocal coach who is like a therapist and a pastor.
(33:01):
But she had to like stop me like, you are trying to sound and be something that you're not as if what you are is not enough.
And it is like, there's you have an identity of a code on you that's very specific. So you have to express that and then figure out who wants that as opposed to trying to give them what you think they want because they like this over there or that over there.
(33:25):
So that whole like comparison thing and all that. So now it's like when people ask me like, what's your music sound like? I would like, it's mine.
I can tell you what genre it sounds like, but I can't tell you who I sound like as another person because I'm my own person. I definitely definitely agree with that.
So I feel like we kind of talked about some of the main things that are happening today. Do you feel like you have any.
(33:53):
Because you're not a creative person in the artistic way. Do you feel like singer? I'm not a closest thing that came to the art movement when I was at.
Okay, so playing basketball. Well, I think you okay. Well, I think that takes some creativity to be out here in volume.
Okay, so, okay. So you don't do like the traditional or the more common things that people associate with art, like singing, dancing, that kind of thing.
(34:16):
So did you kind of walk into it because of your athleticism?
Yeah.
And it just tranquil from there.
Yeah, so outside of just like being an athlete, I would honestly just have the curiosity and I don't know if it was like God or what it was.
But when I would see obviously just like pop culture news and things like that. And you hear about, oh, this is what happened with this artist.
(34:38):
And I would just wonder, like, what is our life like behind the scenes? Like what is and I would just be naturally curious about that.
And seeing the issue right of addiction and why is it so free of common with this population. Be curious about that. And so that led me to, I want to focus on the mental health of artists and performance.
And just like really carrying this is really really good. I think this is a good place to pause. I feel like we can dig in a little bit deeper into this conversation.
(35:07):
So what we're going to do is we're going to be back for another episode of the creative process. I can't give it all to you at once. You got to come back. You know, we're trying to grow here.
So make sure to into the very next episode. We'll do part two of the creative process podcast featuring the love of this.
Are you my re and we're going to be into some more stuff. So I'm excited. So you don't have to.
Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode.
(35:30):
If you want to learn more about the podcast, you can go to creative in process.com where you can sign up for email alerts, connect on social media and submit your feedback, thoughts and questions to have them included in the future episode.
If you want to connect with me directly, you can find me at me, L.N. Music on all social media platforms. And please like, comment, share, subscribe.
(35:52):
Tell somebody about this podcast because it only goes as far as you help it grow. I'll see you next time. Thanks for tuning in. Peace out.
(keyboard clicking)
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