Madeleine Liljestam // Eleine
What helps and fuels you to go on when you feel down? What is something that you find worth fighting for?
The answer is simple, our fans. I’ve been struggling with mental health for many years, and 2,5 years ago I went into a deep depression. The first months were very blurry, and when the pandemic hit a year later, it became clear to me – either I need to give up completely or I have to focus on that which makes me better, one thing at a time. ELEINE has always been my main focus, but during the years there’s been many struggles and people trying to destroy it which quite naturally has been exhausting for me mentally.
The pandemic happened, and I put my entire focus on our Patreon. It made me grow a lot from within. A deeper connection with our fans. It was also a way to help us financially too in the very extreme situation we found ourselves in because of the pandemic. Both things helped more than words can describe. I knew, that since they do support with money to get access to our exclusive content on Patreon, I felt I must create so I can offer the promised content.
It gave me new fuel, a new focus. That, in addition to all our other social medias, and now also streaming on Twitch has been a life saver. It has also helped a lot to have Rikard by my side through everything, someone to lean on and knowing that I was not alone.
I still have bad days, I continue my struggle, but this has been a life changing focus for me.
What role had the music during the dark times and the journey to overcome the troubling times?
A big role. Black and death metal has always been my go to and it has helped me a lot many, many times.
What message or words of encouragement would you give to someone who may be suffering or dealing with something?
You may have heard it before, but you’re not alone with your struggle, and that IS important to keep in my mind. Also remember; There’s NOTHING wrong or weird to seek up professional help. There’s only so much people around you can, or what someone on the web can chat with you about.. It IS okay. Really! I’ve looked up professional help, and I know many other famous artists out there that has too. None of us are immortal, we’re all humans.
Mel Schweickardt // Beyond Frequencies
What helps and fuels you to go on when you feel down?
The thing is, once you feel down, it is so incredibly difficult to find something that fuels you. It is easy to come up with ideas, in moments when you feel good, but when life hits you hard, those theoretical solutions hardly help. What fuels me, are my positive past experiences – even though some of them might make me wistful, I try to remind myself it is possible that I will experience something alike again, if I just keep going.
What is something that you find worth fighting for?
I find the belief of “what if everything turns out greater than ever expected” is worth fighting for. The negative “what if’s“ pop up in our mind so easily. How about replace all the negative scenarios with positive ones? Even if they seem impossible, allow yourself few minutes of positive daydreaming – and who knows, your daydreams might just manifest.
What role had the music during the dark times and the journey to overcome the troubling times?
To me, music is everything. I live my emotions through music. As lyricist and songwriter many of my emotions find their way into the lyrics. It’s my way to get it out of the system.
When I listen to music, it often touches me deeper than anything else can. Therefore, I sometimes have to choose wisely what music I listen to in times when I am down. So, I don’t get into a downward spiral. On the other hand, when I make music myself, time and space disappear, and I am completely in the here and now. And that is one of the best feelings there is.
What message or words of encouragement would you give to someone who may be suffering or dealing with something?
Merel Bechtold // Dear Mother, MaYaN
What helps and fuels you to go on when you feel down? What is something that you find worth fighting for?
Overall, I’m very lucky to never feel down. But a few years ago, I experienced depression and it was the worst time of my life. The most important thing at that point was for me to sort out my life and to get back to this mental state where I felt normal and happy again. That was a real struggle, and it took a lot of time and patience. But I found the way back by making some tough decisions and by staying true to myself. That last thing is something to fight for.
What role had the music during the dark times and the journey to overcome the troubling times?
Losing the connection with music was one of the causes and reconnecting with it was the cure.
What message or words of encouragement would you give to someone who may be suffering or dealing with something?
Well, first of all, you’re not alone. There are so many people struggling with depression it’s shocking. Be vulnerable, take your time and cry as much as you need. Especially men, because you’re told to not cry and to ‘man up’, but that’s BS. Get out of bed, eat if you can (or only healthy stuff if you’re an emotional eater), cry, talk, walk, go outside, take a deep breath, find a hobby, shut off social media, take cold showers and hot baths, write thoughts down, and reconnect with yourself. Dare to make tough decisions, because that’s the only way forward. Taking a step at the time, but not standing still for too long. Also, remember that nothing or no-one is worth it to make you feel like shit. Stay true to yourself and be the authentic and beautiful you.
Ofilia // Arshenic
What helps and fuels you to go on when you feel down?
Most often I am down when something that is important to me, and for what I’ve worked hard, does not work out. In this case, I wonder – will it matter next year? If the answer is no, then letting go gets easy. When I’m frustrated and close to giving up, I know that others are counting on me and I keep fighting because I can’t let them down.
What is something that you find worth fighting for?
I believe that you should fight for yourself whenever you feel that you are being treated unfairly. When you know you’re right and you can prove it. When you do your thing, you go to the goal, then it’s not a fight, it’s your ambition. YOUR ambition – and your choice of what to do with it.
What role had the music during the dark times, and how did you take the journey to overcome the troubling times?
Making music is a very inspiring process. It starts like trying to solve a problem. You don’t know where to start, where to go with it, where to look for a solution. Then you run into something, you follow that trail and you feel a surge of energy with every extra note or word of text. For me, it’s like a trance, I soak in writing a song for a few days and then I’m in a better world, away from everything that surrounds me.
What message or words of encouragement would you give to someone who may be suffering or dealing with something?
I think words of encouragement like, “it’s gonna be okay”, “you can handle it”, it’s cliche. If you feel something is wrong with you, seek help. Try new things. Maybe you like sports, maybe meditation, maybe you will be inspired by religion or spirituality, maybe you will find meaning in your new hobby or job. Don’t stand still. You are not your thoughts.
Click here for more from the World Mental Health Day 2021 series and don’t forget to check out our Instagram.
Metal Goddesses 