by As one of pop music’s most prolific and outspoken artists, Halsey has cultivated a dedicated fanbase through her emotionally raw lyrics and independent spirit.
Behind the scenes though, there is more to the story of how she crafts her artistic vision. Nature plays an important role in Halsey’s creative process, serving as a source of inspiration, expression, and rejuvenation.
Through interviews and social media posts, it’s clear that spending time outdoors in natural settings is deeply meaningful to Halsey. “Nature keeps me balanced both mentally and spiritually,” she told Rolling Stone in 2017. When life on the road becomes hectic, escaping into nature provides solace and perspective. “I need that reminder that there are bigger things happening beyond what I’m dealing with day-to-day,” Halsey explained.
Her appreciation of the outdoors likely stems from childhood. Born in New Jersey and raised in various states, Halsey spent summers surrounded by nature. “I have a lot of really vivid memories from being a kid of being outdoors—camping, hiking, swimming in lakes and rivers,” she told Elle. Those formative experiences clearly left a lasting impression, instilling in her a profound connection to the natural world.
Today, Halsey frequently uses downtime on tours to unwind through outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and swimming. Her Instagram is filled with scenic snapshots from nature excursions—from mountain landscapes to ocean sunsets. She even penned the lyrics for “Nightmare” while camping under the stars. Immersing herself in nature’s raw beauty provides a meditative escape from the pressures of fame.
But Halsey’s relationship with nature goes deeper than simple recreation. The natural world also acts as a wellspring of artistic inspiration, finding expression in her lyrics, visuals, and creative process. Her appreciation of the outdoors permeates multiple facets of her work.
Nature Reflected in Lyrics
Halsey’s lyrics are deeply personal, drawing from her own experiences to craft emotionally resonant songs. Not surprisingly, nature frequently emerges as a metaphor within her music. Its imagery grounds abstract emotions in tangible imagery and sensory details.
On her 2015 debut Badlands, the title track depicts “badlands” as a metaphor for inner turmoil. Lines like “These badlands, badlands, they pulled me in” personify nature as a force that consumes one’s psyche. Similarly, “Castle” uses nature’s permanence to represent enduring feelings: “These castle walls won’t keep me safe forever.”
Her 2017 album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom further explores nature themes. “Heaven in Hiding” depicts a secret natural paradise, while “Alone” mourns lost love with the refrain, “The flowers in your hair / They tell me you don’t care.” Even the album title alludes to nature—a “hopeless fountain kingdom” evokes a lush yet unreachable natural sanctuary.
Halsey’s 2020 release Manic also features prominent nature references. On “You Should Be Sad,” she sings “I’ve been sleeping so long in a twenty-nine-bedroom mansion/ Dreaming about you all like a broken-heart passion.” The opulent mansion contrasts nature’s simplicity and authenticity of feeling. Meanwhile, “3am” finds Halsey “sitting in the garden waiting for the sun.”
Across her discography, Halsey imbues nature with symbolic power, using its imagery to enhance her lyrics’ emotional resonance. The natural world becomes a vessel to channel complex feelings into vivid sensory language. Her wordplay transforms nature into a poetic metaphor for inner and interpersonal landscapes.
Nature in Music Videos
Halsey also brings nature to life visually through her music videos. Directed by herself or creative collaborators, they often place her within natural backdrops that enhance the songs’ moods and messages.
The video for “Nightmare” finds Halsey alone in the woods at night, wandering barefoot amid trees lit only by the moon. It captures nature’s raw beauty and her character’s vulnerability through isolation. Meanwhile, “Castle” stages dramatic scenes of Halsey amid crashing ocean waves, conveying nature’s uncontrollable power through visual symbolism.
“Heaven in Hiding” transports viewers to a secret garden where Halsey relishes simple pleasures. Lush foliage and flowers surround her, representing nature’s respite from life’s complications. Even the clip for upbeat single “You Should Be Sad” ends on a poignant note—a shot of Halsey alone on a windswept beach at sunset.
Through her videos, Halsey breathes life into the natural imagery woven through her song lyrics. Viewers come to associate her music with vivid landscapes that enhance emotional storytelling. Nature serves as more than just a backdrop—it becomes an artistic collaborator in shaping her visual and musical narratives.
Nature as Creative Catalyst
Beyond inspiring her lyrics and music videos, nature also fuels Halsey’s creativity in less direct ways. She finds solace in nature photography and visual art, using these outlets to spark fresh ideas or simply unwind. Her natural surroundings become a source of unstructured creativity separate from her music career.
On hikes through forests and beaches, Halsey carries her camera to capture fleeting landscapes. “Photography helps me feel present and appreciate small beautiful things when life feels overwhelming,” she explained. Scrolling through her Instagram, one sees serene shots of oceans, mountains and flora.
She also flexes her artistic talents through nature-inspired drawings and paintings. Intricate botanical sketches decorate her social media, along with whimsical nature-themed portraits. Halsey told Elle that visual art provides catharsis during low periods: “Drawing kept me sane through a lot of hard times.”
While not directly incorporated into her music, these creative pursuits clearly stem from Halsey’s connection with nature. Wandering outdoors with her camera or getting lost in visual art sparks fresh perspectives that can later influence her songwriting. Nature acts as a catalyst for unstructured creativity—a meditative escape that ultimately fuels her artistic fire in unexpected ways.
Environmental Activism
Beyond serving as a creative muse, nature also aligns with Halsey’s activist passions. She uses her platform to advocate for environmental protections and climate justice. “Our relationship to the natural world will be the most important issue of our lifetime,” Halsey told Rolling Stone.
In 2019, she performed at the Global Climate Strike in Washington D.C. to support the youth-led movement. On social media, Halsey amplifies voices raising awareness of threats like deforestation, pollution and climate change. She even fundraised over $100,000 for Australian wildfire relief efforts in early 2020 through merchandise sales.
Halsey recognizes humanity’s profound impact on the planet and responsibility for future generations. Her environmental activism stems from a place of care, not judgment—she simply wants to start important conversations. “My goal is to make people feel hopeful, not helpless,” she explained. Whether through performances, fundraising or spreading information, Halsey lends her influence to protect the natural world she finds so inspiring.
Nature’s Enduring Influence
Through her artistry, lifestyle choices and activism, it’s clear that Halsey draws deep inspiration from nature. The outdoors provide rejuvenation from the pressures of fame, fueling her creativity through unstructured play with photography, art and songwriting. Her lyrics, music videos and creative process all reflect nature’s resonance on an emotional level.
Looking ahead, Halsey’s connection with the natural world will likely remain an enduring source of inspiration. As environmental issues intensify, she may incorporate stronger ecological messages. And when life becomes overwhelming, retreating into nature will continue offering solace.
By tapping into nature’s raw beauty, Halsey cultivates perspective and renewal and channels those feelings into resonant artistry. The natural world acts not just as a muse, but also a creative collaborator and molder of her worldview. Its influence permeates Halsey’s work at multiple levels—from metaphorical lyrics to activist platform. For this artist, nature serves as both a source of balance and a catalyst for her artistic fire.
Read more hidden text
