by Halsey, whose real name is Ashley Frangipane, first rose to fame in 2015 with her debut album “Badlands.” Even from her earliest works, it was clear that Halsey’s lyrics often explored deeply personal themes of mental health, identity, and self-acceptance. These themes were no doubt shaped significantly by her own early struggles.
Halsey has been candid about living with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Managing mental illnesses, especially at a young age, can be an immense challenge that shapes one’s entire journey. For Halsey, her art seemed to become an outlet for processing these struggles from the beginning of her career. Songs like “Castle” and “Hold Me Down” convey a sense of inner turmoil, anger, and angst that likely reflected her experiences confronting bipolar disorder. Coming to terms with such diagnoses at a pivotal time of self-discovery was undoubtedly difficult.
In addition to grappling with her mental health, Halsey was also navigating issues of identity as a young woman. She has identified as bisexual and discussed facing discrimination within both the straight and LGBTQ+ communities early on. Figuring out who she was amid societal pressures could not have been easy. Through her lyrics, Halsey fearlessly explored themes of sexuality, queerness, and self-acceptance. Songs like “Ghost” and “Colors” hint at a deeper journey of understanding and owning her identity on her own terms.
All the while, Halsey was also adjusting to the realities of fame and celebrity. The scrutiny of the public eye, coupled with the internal struggles she was facing privately, must have added further complexity to her experience. Learning to manage expectations and balance career demands while prioritizing well-being seems to have been part of Halsey’s early growth. Songs like “Control” convey a sense of feeling overwhelmed and a loss of autonomy in the industry. Clearly, Halsey had a lot of personal work to do in order to find inner peace.
Growth and Finding Strength
In the years following “Badlands,” it’s evident that Halsey made significant progress in her journey of self-discovery and mental wellness. Her 2017 album “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom” showed early signs of shifting perspectives, with songs focused more on empowerment, resilience, and owning one’s narrative. Tracks like “Bad at Love” and “Alone” convey a newfound sense of confidence and self-assurance despite past hardships.
This evolution likely stemmed from ongoing personal growth work Halsey was dedicating herself to, such as therapy. She has been vocal about utilizing therapy and other wellness practices to manage her mental health conditions. Incorporating professional support, self-care, spirituality, and treatment seem to have helped Halsey gain self-awareness and coping skills. Over time, these tools no doubt contributed to a growing ability to experience inner peace even when facing challenges.
Community and connection also appeared to take on greater significance for Halsey. She has spoken about relying on close friends and family for support, as well as drawing strength from her loyal fanbase. Having a village likely provided Halsey comfort and motivation during difficult periods. Her relationship with boyfriend Max Ehrich also brought her joy and stability in recent years. Strong bonds evidently factored heavily into Halsey’s ability to feel at peace both publicly and privately.
By 2020, Halsey’s music fully embraced themes of empowerment and owning one’s narrative. Her album “Manic” contained anthems of resilience like “You Should Be Sad,” “Finally // beautiful,” and “More.” These tracks exude a new sense of self-confidence, forgiveness of past mistakes, and acceptance of life’s ups and downs. Halsey no longer seemed preoccupied with searching for identity or approval. She appeared to have come into her power both personally and creatively.
Examples in Halsey’s Music
Looking back at Halsey’s discography, the evolution of her music parallels her likely journey toward inner peace. Her raw, angst-filled debut “Badlands” hinted at a period of turmoil that shaped her early adulthood. Struggling to process mental health issues, sexuality, and fame while forging her path, Halsey understandably expressed inner conflict through songs exploring darker themes.
However, as she invested in her wellness, Halsey’s music gradually shifted in tone. “Hopeless Fountain Kingdom” showed signs of hard-won perspective and resilience. While still brooding at times, songs conveyed a growing sense of self-possession. This progression continued on “Manic,” where Halsey embraced empowerment, called out misogyny, and affirmed her right to feel multifaceted emotions. Her art reflected an ability to experience the full range of life with acceptance and grace.
Beyond her albums, Halsey also uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. Speaking out on important issues provides her a sense of purpose. By empowering others and destigmatizing personal struggles, Halsey likely finds further fulfillment and peace. Her activism stems naturally from personal growth yet allows her to help countless others in the process.
Finding Inner Peace is a Continuous Process
Of course, no journey toward inner well-being is ever truly complete. While Halsey appears to have come a long way in accepting herself fully, she may still experience private struggles at times. Managing lifelong mental health conditions remains an ongoing process. Setbacks could naturally arise from external stressors or internal fluctuations. However, with the self-awareness and tools she’s acquired, Halsey seems well-equipped to face future challenges with resilience and compassion for herself.
Rather than a definitive end-point, inner peace may be better viewed as an continuous practice of self-care, community-care, and living according to one’s values despite life’s difficulties. By this definition, Halsey’s music suggests she has learned much about prioritizing wellness amid the demands of her career. She continues to use her platform to help others, finding purpose greater than herself. In this light, Halsey seems to have cultivated inner peace as an ongoing journey of growth rather than a singular achievement. Her story powerfully shows that struggle and resilience can walk hand in hand.
