Shawn Mendes now feels like a better version of himself. He credits therapy – and takes himself ‘less seriously’

Shawn Mendes spoke to John Mayer for ‘Interview’ magazine about how he feels ‘better’ about himself as he gets older

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Shawn Mendes says he feels ‘better’ as he gets older.

In a new conversation with Interview magazine published Monday, October 14, the singer spoke with fellow musician John Mayer about his hiatus, his upcoming album Shawn‘growing up’ and feeling ‘better’ in one’s own skin.

As the two singer-songwriters spoke, Mendes, 25, explained that working on this latest album allowed him to “give back the most to (him).” He added: “It’s already given me so much more than all my albums, and I haven’t even shown it to anyone yet.”

He explained to Mayer, 46, that he felt like he could find himself while making the album — which Mendes’ mother also speculated about.

Related: Shawn Mendes Postpones Self-titled Album Release Date to November: ‘We Just Need a Little More Time’

He revealed: “I think there’s humor in finding yourself. You don’t take yourself so seriously. I don’t feel like I wake up every day and step into the role of Shawn. I feel like I just woke up become like him.”

“You’re not necessarily a moving target when it comes to figuring yourself out.” If you’ve discovered another part of yourself, can you keep it forever?’ Mayer asked.

“I’m always here to let parts die,” Mendes admitted. “But subconsciously I hold on to some parts.” When Mayer pressed him to elaborate on this, Mendes explained that “thanks to therapy” he likes the newest part of himself the most, that he is “not so extreme anymore.”

As the duo’s conversation continued, Mendes admitted that he is taking aging into account. Mayer acknowledged that aging is “relative.”

Mendes began to shed some light, explaining, “Of course. It’s funny, when you go through your first breakup, it feels like you suddenly have all the answers in the world. You’re like, ‘Hey, man, I’ve seen it all on that moment. ” (Mendes previously dated Camila Cabello for several years before splitting in 2021, then briefly getting back together and splitting again in 2023.)

However, he continued, revealing: “But to be honest, if someone were to say, ‘What do you think is the main reason you’re generally feeling better these days?’ I would probably choose therapy first and then take myself less seriously.”

Related: Shawn Mendes Debuts New Single ‘Nobody Knows’ Live at MTV VMAs 2024 in Intimate Candlelight Performance

“This isn’t meant to diminish anything you’ve been through, but whatever you’ve struggled with just seems to be the natural progression of figuring out the older you get,” Mayer said.

‘But because you are so sensitive to things, you can read with seriousness that something is a real emergency. You didn’t take a wrong turn.’ The guitarist added, “The idea that you made a record out of it is so exciting to me.”

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Mendes’ upcoming album, Shawnwill be released on Friday, November 15.

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