Meet Deora Clairé

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deora Clairé . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deora Clairé below.

Deora Clairé , we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hopes that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
The truth is I’m still persisting through the mental health challenges I face. This is a journey that started in July of 2019 when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental illness consisting of both manic and depression episodes. I had my first severe manic episode and was sent to a mental hospital. After approximately 7 days of attending group therapy and taking medicine daily, I was released. I was happy to be back home, but I then went through depression for the first time in my life.

I found myself crying and praying all day throughout the day. I felt empty and purposeless because the summer of 2019 was full of high notes prior to the diagnosis. I released music and filmed my first music video. I also was preparing for my inaugural performance in Memphis, my hometown, at the annual Delta Fair. However, after I got home and was by myself to process everything, I felt as if I couldn’t continue pursuing my dreams of being a singer-songwriter.

Being a singer-songwriter is a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl, but at that time my mental health wasn’t in the best place to carry it out. I stopped singing and writing songs. It wasn’t until early March of 2020, after my second manic episode which sent me to another mental hospital, that I was inspired to write a new song. This time I was battling the worst depression I’ve ever experienced, but God reminded me that I still had purpose. Therefore, I wrote a song titled “Purpose” to encourage myself.

By singing the song and reading daily devotionals, my spirit was uplifted and empowered. I learned that to overcome my mental health challenges, I had to put faith in action. I believed that I had a purpose to fulfill, and that belief sparked a flame that ignited me to restart chasing my dreams. Additionally, my habits of praying, reading the Bible, taking medicine, and meeting with my psychiatrist and therapist regularly have definitely contributed to my mental well-being. Thankfully, as of this year 2023, I have been 3 years free of manic episodes.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Christian Bilingual Singer-songwriter and Author from Memphis, TN. Growing up in the inner city, my parents stressed the importance of God and education. Every Sunday, I attended church with my family and sang hymns. During the week, I was an active honors student participating in multiple extracurricular activities including several choirs. I also enjoyed learning Spanish. As part of my college career, I studied abroad in Costa Rica, and in 2016 I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in International Business. However, my love of writing songs and singing did not wane.

In 2018, while working full-time as a Bilingual Marketing Specialist, I released my first body of work titled “Love over Hate”. Although the release was only three songs, it built my confidence. Therefore, in the summer of 2019, I began actively pursuing my dreams until I experienced mental health challenges which paused my music endeavors. When I finally released new music in January of 2022, it was my debut album titled “Golden”.

Since my debut album, I’ve been quite busy. I released another album titled “My Life” in August of 2022. I wrote a devotional titled “Taking Action Against Depression” which was released in March and is available on the YouVersion Bible App. I also released a new song titled “Rain from Heaven” in June. Furthermore, I’ve been excited about two projects that are releasing this September. The biggest one is an anthology I’m a contributing author on titled “Shattered by One’s Touch and We Overcame”. The second project is a new song titled “Show out for Your Daughter” to go along with my story in the anthology. Additionally, within the next couple of years I plan to release my third album and my own book.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Faith, hope and love were the three qualities that were most impactful to me. These three qualities are where the messages in my songs and writings stem from. Together they have formed a stronger me. With faith as small as a mustard seed, I believe that I will overcome. With hope, I won’t give up. With love as the motive, I will make a positive impact in the world.

The biggest advice I can give to someone who wants to develop their faith, hope and love, is to be patient with yourself and believe in God. He loves you and has great plans for you despite the challenges or negative circumstances you go through. Remember Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose.” You are called. You have purpose. You are destined for victory.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The Bible has played a huge role in my life and development of identity, confidence and purpose. Here are the top 7 inspirational verses that have impacted me:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. (Psalms 139:14)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@MadebyGlyde @Paulnoltephotography

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