Shawn Mendes reveals how therapy helped him become 'better version of himself'

Shawn Mendes recently opened up about finding peace or feeling better in his own skin. In a candid conversation with musician John Mayer for Interview magazine, the 25-year-old singer shared his thoughts on ageing, self-discovery and how his new music has helped him reconnect with himself.

During the conversation, Mendes spoke about his hiatus from music and the transformative experience of creating his latest album. "Working on this album has allowed me to return the most to myself," he told Mayer. "It’s already given me more than any of my albums by so much, and I haven’t even shown anyone."

Mendes credited this period of growth and self-reflection to the space he allowed himself during the making of Shawn. He admitted to feeling more comfortable in his own skin than ever before, saying, "I think within finding yourself, there’s humour. There’s not taking myself so seriously. I don’t feel like I’m waking up every day and stepping into the role of Shawn. I feel like I’m just waking up as him."

"You’re not necessarily a moving target when it comes to figuring yourself out. If you figured another parcel of yourself out, do you get to keep that forever?" Mayer asked.

"I’m always here to let parts die," Mendes confessed. "But subconsciously I hold onto some parts." When Mayer prompted him to elaborate, Mendes explained that "because of therapy," the newest part of himself he likes the most is that he’s "not as extreme anymore."

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When Mayer asked Mendes about his thoughts on ageing, the young star admitted that he was beginning to understand how life experiences shape personal growth. "It’s funny," he said, "When you go through your first breakup, it feels like you suddenly have all the answers in the world." 

Looking ahead, Mendes expressed gratitude for the lessons he's learned in therapy, stressing the importance of not taking himself too seriously. "If someone asked me the number one reason I feel generally better these days, I'd probably first answer therapy, and secondly, just taking myself less seriously," she added.

Mayer acknowledged the natural progression of getting older and commended Mendes for turning his experiences into art, saying, "The idea that you’ve turned it into a record is so exciting to me."