The 2020s have proven to be a challenging decade to navigate. From the stresses of excessive internet consumption to the aftermath of a global pandemic, anxiety and depression have skyrocketed among teens and young adults alike. Further contributing to negative mental health impacts are the increase of competition throughout the college admissions process and the difficulties of finding a stable job once you finally complete your education.
With so many obstacles to be faced, adolescents need to be reminded to take mental health breaks and cater their lifestyle to fit their physical and mental needs. While prioritizing one’s health may require making academic or professional sacrifices, it is necessary in order to maintain a sense of well-being in the fast-paced world we live in.
Some of the best role models for developing a healthy lifestyle and putting an emphasis on mental health over work are musical artists. Between the stresses of putting out new music and touring to constantly being in the public eye, many artists are often forced to sacrifice their well-being to follow the traditional path of a music career. Here is a closer look at two admirable artists who have taken a step back, analyzed what they needed to do to improve their mental health, and successfully put these plans into action.
Lizzy McAlpine
Lizzy McAlpine, a 24-year-old indie pop singer most known for her viral hit “ceilings,” has been extremely open about the obstacles she has faced as a result of touring and fame. After completing the U.S. leg of her “End of the Movie Tour” in 2023, McAlpine announced the postponement of her remaining shows abroad due to the toll touring took on her “mental & physical wellbeing.”
In an in-depth Zach Sang Show interview, McAlpine dove deeper into the dissatisfaction and stress she faced while on the road during her “End of the Movie Tour.” McAlpine talked about why she has never really enjoyed performing, and how her recent experiences have “really shifted [her] values” in terms of what she “wants as an artist.”
Currently, McAlpine is about halfway through “The Older Tour,” which is in support of her recently released album Older. However, she has made several changes to her touring process to best meet her personal needs. For example, there are no opening acts on “The Older Tour.” McAlpine explained that the main reason behind this is to shorten shows so that she, as well as her crew, can go to bed each night at a reasonable time.
McAlpine also cares deeply for her fans and has stated that she does not want fans to experience stress or health issues from standing in line all day waiting to get into the venue. Without an opening act, she can start her shows later in the evening, so that fans do not need to feel “misery” while standing outside the venue and then waiting for her to finally come on stage.
Additionally, McAlpine planned her tour route based on what “will work for [her] & [her] mental health,” which she expressed to fans when the tour was first announced. There are also breaks of at least one day between each show so that McAlpine and her team can recharge and take their time traveling to the next tour stop.
The changes that McAlpine has made to her professional lifestyle in response to her personal needs express that it is crucial to listen to your body to stay mentally and physically fit, rather than overdoing it and facing extensive stress. In planning her current tour, McAlpine focused on herself and what she knows will work for her, rather than sticking to a traditional touring plan, which had proven to hinder her health.
Ashe
Ashe, a 31-year-old singer-songwriter from San Jose, CA, is most recognizable for her 2019 song “Moral of the Story,” which was featured in the Netflix rom-com To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020). She also recorded a version of the song with former One Direction member Niall Horan.
After releasing her sophomore album, Rae, in late 2022, Ashe announced an accompanying tour scheduled to start early the following year. However, a few weeks before the tour was set to begin, Ashe notified her fans that all of her 2023 shows would be canceled. In a post shared with fans, Ashe said that she made the decision because, “after nearly three years without stopping, [she] no longer fe[lt] mentally healthy or resilient enough to go back on tour yet.”
Ashe stayed away from the public eye throughout the remainder of 2023 and the first few months of 2024, but that didn’t stop fans from showing their continued support for the singer and her decision to take a break. For example, one Instagram account, @notesforashe, compiles and shares fan-written letters in support of Ashe often, serving as a reminder that there is always someone out there to support you during challenging times.
Recently, Ashe performed publicly for the first time since her tour was canceled as a special guest at one of Niall Horan’s “The Show: Live On Tour” concerts. Following the performance, Ashe announced her upcoming third album, Willson, to be released on September 6. She released the lead single from the album, “Running Out of Time,” later that night.
In a note to fans on social media, Ashe shared how she focused on therapy, wrote music privately, and spent quality time on her favorite hobbies over the last year. She has been very open about the struggles that led her to cancel her 2023 tour and the obstacles she continues to face today. In her transparency, Ashe shows her fans the importance of working through your feelings and taking professional breaks to improve your health and quality of life. This is advice that can be relevant to anyone, whether you are a student, artist, or hold an entirely different occupation.
“I know that I’m doing the right thing, and I’m not gonna stop just because it’s hard.”
Lizzy McAlpine, in an interview with Teen Vogue
Both Lizzy McAlpine and Ashe have truly demonstrated that “self-care isn’t selfish.” They are talented artists who have put in the work to understand their personal struggles and made the necessary sacrifices to focus on their mental health. This has helped them to come out from challenging times stronger, more resilient, and more prepared to share new music with their fans. All adolescents should apply McAlpine’s and Ashe’s advice to their own lives by finding ways to improve their well-being and acknowledging the need to take mental health breaks from the constant stress that is unavoidable in today’s society.
