Shawn Mendes credits therapy with teaching him to be ‘less serious’

Shawn Mendes has credited therapy with transforming his outlook on his life and career.

In a conversation with John Mayer for Interview magazine published on Monday, the Canadian singer-songwriter spoke candidly about his rise to fame, decision to cancel the Wonder: The World Tour in 2022 so he could focus on his mental health, and his upcoming self-titled fifth studio album.

Amid the chat, John asked Shawn how he was “reckoning” with ageing in the spotlight.

“It’s funny, when you go through your first breakup, it feels like you all-of-a-sudden have all the answers in the world,” he responded. “You’re like, ‘Hey, man, I’ve seen it all at that point.’ But to be honest, if someone was like, ‘What do you think the number one reason for you feeling generally better these days is?’ I’d probably first answer therapy, and secondly, just taking myself less seriously.”

Shawn went on to note that he is excited to release his new album on 15 November. He described the songs as some of the “most stripped-back art” he’s ever made.

“It’s already given me more than any of my albums by so much, and I haven’t even shown anyone,” the 26-year-old mused. “My mom doesn’t say these things, but when I played her Isn’t That Enough, she was like, ‘Oh, you found yourself.'”

Elsewhere in the interview, John also asked Shawn whether he was looking for love.

Previously, the star dated singer Camila Cabello from 2019 until 2021.

“Absolutely. I refuse to let the industry consume me at this point. I finally realised that giving everything to music is not the best thing for my relationship with it,” he added. “If I really want it to shine, I need to have other love in my life, and if I want that love to shine, I need to have music.”