Navigating Music, Mental Health, and the Disconnect Between Creativity and Small-Town Mindsets
As musicians, especially those in marginalized or underrepresented communities, we often find ourselves caught between the vibrant, creative worlds we strive to build and the more rigid, conventional environments we come from. Growing up in small towns or rural areas can create a sense of disconnection, not just from the wider world, but from a community that doesn’t always understand the value of artistic expression. The friction between these worlds can be particularly tough when mental health is involved, and it can leave you feeling isolated and undervalued.
I’ve experienced this first-hand, navigating my journey as a queer musician and writer. Moving away from Somerset, UK, to Toronto brought me closer to the artistic communities that fuel my creative fire, but that didn’t happen without its struggles. Many people, especially those from small towns or rural areas, simply don’t understand why someone would want to be loud, bold, or authentic in their art. The act of making noise, pushing boundaries, or simply being yourself often goes unnoticed, ridiculed, or dismissed.
The Disconnect: Why Doesn’t My Community Get It?
In smaller communities, there’s often an unspoken emphasis on practicality, conformity, and fitting in. While these values can create strong, supportive bonds, they also come with the unintended consequence of stifling creativity. Small towns don’t always celebrate the abstract or the experimental; instead, they lean towards tradition and what’s familiar. In environments like this, artists who choose to write, play, or perform in ways that challenge the norm can be misunderstood.
I’ve encountered moments where my music or writing, which often touches on deep, introspective themes like identity, belonging, and transformation, were met with dismissal or ridicule. For instance, the blending of classical and modern sounds in my music—something that’s deeply meaningful to me—might seem out of place to someone who’s used to the simple, familiar tunes of the local scene. It’s not that these people are bad or intentionally cruel; it’s just that they don’t have the same frame of reference. They don’t see the value in pushing boundaries because they’ve never been exposed to or appreciated that kind of work.
But rather than succumb to that feeling of being misunderstood, I chose to see this as part of the struggle that many artists face. I leaned into my own belief in the importance of being authentic and finding a community that values my uniqueness. When others didn’t get it, I reminded myself that it’s not about their approval. It’s about making work that feels true to who I am, even if it's not immediately appreciated by those who are unfamiliar with that kind of art.
The Role of Mental Health in Creative Struggles
As someone with experience in mental health challenges, I can say that these struggles are only compounded when you feel like your work isn’t being understood. For me, the difficulties with focus and spelling that come from mental health challenges have made me rely on AI tools for editing, something that I’ve been open about in my writing. As a self-published author and musician, I’ve learned to lean into the resources available to me, including technology, to keep creating and communicating effectively.
However, mental health struggles can also create an emotional distance, especially in the context of creative rejection. It’s easy to internalize criticism or lack of recognition as a personal failure, especially when you already feel like an outsider. For me, this is where my resilience kicks in. I remind myself that my art matters. It’s easy to get bogged down in self-doubt, but I always return to the core of why I create—because my voice matters, even if others don’t hear it the way I wish they would.
One thing I’ve learned through my creative journey is that it’s okay to rely on the support of others who understand you, even if that’s not your immediate community. For me, that’s been Peter, my boyfriend, who’s a constant source of encouragement and support. He understands the emotional toll that creating art takes, especially in an environment where my authenticity may not always be welcomed or understood.
Embracing the Challenge and Moving Forward
As artists, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, it’s easy to feel isolated in our creative worlds. But we must embrace the challenges we face and continue to create for ourselves, not just for the approval of others. Mental health struggles can be daunting, and the disconnect between artistic communities and more traditional ones can feel isolating, but it’s vital to remember that your work has value—regardless of whether everyone understands it.
I’ve come to realize that art is not always about immediate acceptance or understanding. Sometimes it’s about making space for your own voice to exist, even if it’s not part of the dominant narrative. This means embracing the parts of myself that others may not understand and finding ways to make noise in a world that often wants to silence the unconventional.
For musicians and artists, especially those with mental health challenges, it’s important to remember: Keep pushing. Keep creating. Your authenticity and vulnerability in your art are what will ultimately make the space you need. And when you find your people—whether they’re in a big city or a small corner of the world—they’ll appreciate the noise you make.
