Our versatile journeys, often likened to a grand, complex game, offer paths filled with challenges. While this journey can be exhilarating, it is often marred with overthinking. Overthinking limits our potential and impedes our progress. We become trapped in our minds, unable to appreciate the present or explore the road ahead. Therefore, the ultimate goal is to free ourselves from the constraints of overthinking.
To achieve this, we must shift our focus away from the destination and embrace the journey itself. It is about finding joy in the process, learning from setbacks, and adapting to the unexpected. The key to unlocking true freedom lies in mindfulness. By living in the moment and releasing the need to control every detail of our lives, we can break free from the grip of overthinking. In an interview with Arts Help, Egyptian musician Yehia Afifi discusses how his work offers a relatable perspective on overthinking, aiming to connect with listeners who have faced similar struggles. Through a challenge he launched on Instagram, he promotes mental health awareness and encourages his audience to seek support and prioritize their well-being. Yehia's work aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-Being.
Looking back at your career, what are some of the most significant milestones that have shaped you as a musician so far?
Developing a unique artistic style is undoubtedly the most significant achievement for any artist. Unlike many skills, a unique artistic style isn't acquired solely through practice. It's an accumulation of various life experiences, including communication and personality development. A musician should have distinct tastes while also being open to exploring new sounds without compromising their identity. Most importantly, the ability to apply learned experiences and skills to one's art, no matter how seemingly unrelated, is crucial. Once I developed a clear artistic identity, my creative confidence soared.
Artists and musicians often feel boxed in by genre labels. Were you able to break free from those constraints?
I believe that our self-awareness is quite limited, and our range of emotions is much wider than languages can describe them. I also believe that we all have different personalities, and they are all part of us. I can’t eat the same meal every day no matter how good it is, or even have the same coffee every morning. Sometimes I would like a cappuccino, sometimes I would have a caramel frappe, and sometimes just black coffee. I can’t travel to the same place forever, no matter how good it is.
Trying different things in life generally improves our well-being, develops our personality, and makes life much more enjoyable. I might express myself in 4-5 genres, maybe blend them all, at the end of the day, they’re all me. Maybe tomorrow I’d be interested in trying a new genre after being inspired by someone. What limits our expression other than us?
You've expressed the struggle with doubt and procrastination in your work. Can you talk about how staying determined has helped you through those tough times?
I like to treat my brain as if it's separate from my body. I know my 'devils,' and the best way I've found to cage them is by hanging sticky notes in front of me with messages like 'Stop overthinking,' 'Just get it done,' and 'Stop procrastinating.' They help me a lot. That doesn't mean they've stopped overthinking for good. I still overthink throughout the challenge, but the sticky notes have definitely limited it.
Your music seems to suggest that life is a game with many levels. Can you elaborate on this metaphor?
I think life is very much like a video game, but the way levels are arranged is completely different from how games are developed. The difficulty doesn’t increase with time, it’s always difficult, but the challenges become less difficult when you learn and improve some skills, such as acceptance, love, humility, patience, and respect.
When we grow up, some missions in the game of life can feel long and require so much patience and dedication. I believe failure is also not an option in life, just like video games, you can always retry, but now you’ve got more experience. We just need to keep our minds focused on our goal, and it’ll start paving the way for it.
What motivated you to create your Instagram challenge to inspire people to overcome procrastination and pursue their artistic passions?
There are primarily three reasons why I started this challenge; Overthinking has been a double-edged sword throughout my music journey. I can't deny its importance in enhancing my focus and surpassing mediocrity. However, it becomes a foe when it dominates every aspect of my life. Secondly, I wanted to document the mental and physical toll of the music creation process for those who don't understand. Lastly, I aimed to prevent my mind from finding an escape.
How has the challenge evolved since its inception? Have you been surprised by the response and how people interpreted it?
The challenge evolved in a very positive way. Significantly better than my expectations, I realized that I am not alone, and we all encounter similar challenges on a daily basis. It was heartwarming to witness the inspiration shared among people from diverse industries.
Could you share some of the most inspiring stories or transformations you’ve witnessed through the challenge?
The most inspiring thing to me that added too much value to this experience was meeting Ezzeldeen Hussein halfway through the challenge. Ezz is an artist who resides in Gaza, and despite the ongoing genocide committed against the Palestinians, he came across my content, was inspired, and offered to participate in the challenge. And he ended up doing a four-minute animated video for one of the tracks. Ezz raised the bar incredibly high.
Your music often involves social commentary. Do you see your work as a platform to address any of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals? If so, which ones and how do you believe your music contributes to achieving them?
The album primarily focuses on overcoming feelings of loneliness. It's a space for creative people to liberate their minds and let their creativity flow smoothly. The first track addresses the idea that everyone has their own journey, and we shouldn't compare ourselves to others, even if it seems like someone is progressing faster.
Each song emphasizes the importance of mental well-being, self-acceptance, and not comparing oneself to others. These themes align directly with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-being.
What are the downsides to using social media for your music?
Social media, without any denial, has heavily disrupted my performance during the challenge. We're a generation that grew up using social media and screens for a very long time. It's been close to two decades now, and our mental reward system has been significantly impacted. Keeping up the engagement with the audience is necessary to build a good social media account. The expectations I have after spending on average 6 hours editing a video are usually broken by the algorithm, which also puts me off sometimes.
Social media is designed to keep your attention completely, and my attention span has been affected throughout the challenge. Sometimes it was really hard to stay focused with the amount of notifications and my need to engage with the audience. These changes enhance the clarity and flow of the paragraph while maintaining the original meaning. One of the most valuable takeaways from this interview is the recognition of our shared struggles, particularly with overthinking and the external pressures of judgment. This internal battle, often fueled by the fear of judgment and the pursuit of perfection, can be a formidable challenge. However, by embracing imperfection, confronting our inner critic, and stepping outside our comfort zones, we unlock our true potential.
Afifi's music resonates with listeners as he openly shares his personal experiences with overthinking and procrastination. His honesty fosters a sense of connection and understanding, helping listeners feel less alone in their struggles. His Instagram challenge serves as a valuable tool for encouraging others to tap into their creativity. It also emphasizes that, even amid life's complexities, we possess the inner strength to overcome obstacles and pursue our passions. Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being. It’s important to understand the roots of mental health challenges and develop practical strategies to address them. Prioritizing self-care, seeking support when necessary, and embracing the journey of self-discovery are essential steps. Our worth is not defined by the opinions of others; it comes from within. Mental health matters and everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life, free from the constraints of overthinking and the need for external validation.