“I just wanted them to love me so bad.” — Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has a reputation for making bold choices – and she’s just made one of her very boldest.
Instead of embarking on a world tour in support of her new album Endless Summer Vacation, Cyrus had decided to forego the exhausting (if hugely profitable) grind and stay at home. The reason?
She no longer can endure the rigors of touring. Cyrus recently told BuzzFeed: “It’s really hard to keep mental wellness. Not only [are artists] losing their lives, but losing their minds.”
It Ain’t All Glory…
Fans will miss the chance to see her live, true, but Miley’s decision highlights the downside of show biz glitz and glam. It takes a tremendous toll on a performer’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Miley described the loneliness and emotional turmoil that comes with being on the road. “I’m just not really drawn to being away from my pets and my house and my studio,” she said. The former wild rock ‘n’ roll child praised the virtues of routine, safety, and stability.
Peace of Mind – Not Applause…
Miley’s been in the spotlight for a productive decade-and-a-half, beginning as a Disney star and evolving into a Grammy-winning powerhouse, so this isn’t about avoiding hard work. No, my friends, this is about boundaries. Cyrus is determined to maintain her well-being and protect the life she’s built for herself. There’ll be no classic music industry flame-out in the tradition of Joplin, Hendrix or Morrison.
It doesn’t spell the end of Cyrus on stage, however. “I love performing. It’s what I’ve been doing since I was a kid.” But: “But like anything, when it stops being joyful, you have to reassess.”
Not For Singers Only…
Her message applies to everyone – anyone who’s navigating burnout or overcommitment. After all, the pressures she faces are the same as the ones we all face, only writ large. Who won’t benefit from doing the same? Take care of yourself. Be your own best advocate. Demonstrate by example. Value should be based on who we are and not on what we do.
“Miley is setting a precedent,” says one Music Times columnist. “She’s showing that it’s okay to say ‘no’ to what doesn’t serve your health anymore.”
Be It Ever So Humble…
Like Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, Miley Cyrus has been to some weird places and seen some strange things. And her journeying has taught her a similar lesson to Dorothy’s: There’s no place like home. Protecting the comforts and rituals of everyday life, remaining rooted in what sustains her… that’s what’s it all about, isn’t it?
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, know that help is available and you are not alone. Talk to someone. Call or text 988—the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—for free, confidential support 24/7.” — NAMI.org
