Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alanna LeBlanc. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alanna, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. 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.
Listen our society is so fast paced and we weren’t meant to live like that at all. The collective we decided that the “grind” is what it’s all about and I’m here to tell you that it is absolutely not. While the quality of always pushing yourself towards your goals is an admirable one to have, the perpetual grind is exhausting and diminutive. Aren’t you tired? I definitely was. I don’t claim to have a handle on it— the perfect balance, but I do say that you must have balance. Be mindful, you’re only human and humans and all things were always meant for rest.
So for me particularly, I’ve had a fast paced life since I was a teen. I achieved a lot but at the cost of my own health mentally and physically. I was so caught up in trying to do everything that when I was told to rest, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had a mental lapse. It took a lot of people and moments telling me that I can rest, it’s okay to slow down, and that I’m gonna burn out if I don’t. So community is so important, it is one of the most crucial things that we should all have. I know that sometimes it’ll take a while to find it, don’t penalize yourself for not having it yet. Making friends is hard in your 20s, especially since our last few years of being forced to be chronically online. I encourage you to seek out art events or concerts or things that interest you and go with the intention of meeting people. Rest is also crucial. I know for me, I didn’t even know how to do that and am still figuring out ways to slow down. I think a lot of times people figure that that has to be literally sitting and doing nothing, but I feel that it’s doing something that helps you feel at peace. For example, I paint, I play piano, my ukulele, or continuing learning guitar. The last most important thing is having empathy for yourself. I grew up in a lot of environments that didn’t permit it, so I grew up being and to be so hard on myself. Hard on myself for having emotions, hard on myself for not handling something perfectly because I didn’t have all the information, and for just simply being human. The same empathy that I could extend to others was so lost on me for myself. It’s so exhausting to hate yourself, you’re with you forever. Extend yourself empathy. It’s okay that you don’t have everything figured out. You’re trying. Remember that.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I professionally work in the film industry in Post-Production, but when I’m not working, you can find me playing piano, trying to play guitar, and writing songs.
Making music has been something that’s kept me afloat lately. It’s my biggest creative outlet at the moment. It’s something about creating stories and expressing feelings through rhythms and riffs that grounds me as a person. For about a year and a half I’ve been making music under the name Faye. The collection of songs I’m currently working on represents where I’m at in my life and where I’ve been. Due to scheduling, my producer, Prairies, and I have had to spend a lot more time on these songs than we have before, and I definitely think it’s working to our advantage.
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?
Listening. I have been in many leadership positions and have been under many leaders. I find that there are a lot of people who think leading means being in total control and doing what you want, but leading is not that. It’s all about listening. You can’t lead a group of people you aren’t even connecting with.
Grace. You should have grace for yourself when you mess up. In a moment, you know all you know. If you mess up or misstep because you aren’t aware of how to do it correctly, don’t put yourself down. You’re trying and that counts. Identify your mistake, have grace and keep going.
Consistency. Be consistent, you aren’t going to be a classical guitar player the first day you pick up the instrument. Continually do things to work on your craft and always be willing to learn.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I get upset with myself or overwhelmed that I can’t do something the exact way I want it, I walk away from it. The process of creating should be enjoyable and cathartic. If it’s not feeling that way, you need to take a breather and come back to it with a different mindset.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fayesingsthings?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/29AZ7k9ZKTFJnbAs7mGBBF?si=6RYTKM_JQPe8Mw_5EcqQAA
Image Credits
Lainie Renardel de Lavalette
