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In a heartfelt statement made to fans via social media, Wyatt Flores has confirmed he'll be taking a break from touring in order to prioritise his mental health.
The fast-emerging singer-songwriter accompanied the message, in which he delved into the feelings he's been struggling with in recent months, with a video from his Kansas City show last week. During that set, he opened up to attendees about the numbness and apathy he's been experiencing, before apologising to fans.
Wyatt, who is in the midst of his sprawling Life Lessons tour and has been hard at work readying his debut full-length album, shared in the emotional video, “This is the only thing I've ever cared about, and for some reason I can't figure out, I don't feel a thing. I'm struggling with it, I'm sorry guys. I've got to tell my truth. I don't know why. [This is] the only thing that I give a shit about, and I'm sorry. I can't give you all what y'all deserve, and I love y'all. I'm very thankful for y'all being here”.
In the message Wyatt attached to the video, he offered fans further details to give the video context, and to help explain why he'll be stepping off stage for the time being.
The 22-year-old Oklahoma artist outlined, “This video will always be a reminder to me the importance of prioritizing self-care and mental health. It's been almost exactly a year since ‘Please Don't Go’ went viral. I know most people don't understand what goes on in my mind up on that stage. Because you all have made my dreams come true, I've given everything I have to keep touring, writing, and recording. Since November, I've been struggling with the feeling of feeling nothing. At the end of the day, I'm human and no one is built to run this hard without taking care of themselves while feeling this much adrenaline. There are a lot of hidden variables that come into play that go beyond the lights and the music”.
Wyatt Flores expanded, “I'm sorry to Kansas City for being the show I finally realized what's been going on with myself and that it had to come out in front of y'all. I can't sit on stage and tell y'all to go live your life and do what makes you feel alive when I'm not doing the same. It's been breaking my heart, because I've been confused on why I've felt numb to the one thing that has made me feel most alive”.
He went on to underline, “The truth is, I struggle with my sense of worth and sometimes feel like I'm only loved because of the guitar that sits in my hand. I have a hard time saying no to things and disappointing anyone, most importantly my fans.
“Feelings don't go away. I used to cover them up by crawling into bottles and any other distraction available. I've slowed down on my drinking and tried to take better care of myself. All of a sudden the feelings finally caught up. I'm learning the hard way that you have to process what I've been through. And the truth of the matter is, I haven't. My life has been thrown around in every single direction, and I haven't sat down to come to terms with what's going on. I thought I could just work and work to keep myself distracted. For the longest time, I thought I could run on empty. I tried to give everything I had without giving anything back to myself. The sacrifices I've made to get the opportunity to be on stage have caught up to me. For right now, I'm going to do something for myself.
“Thank you for taking the time out of your day to send me loving messages and keep me in your prayers. If there's one thing I've done right is build a fan base that cares about and loves one another. All I've ever wanted to do was make people feel happy, and I hope that if you've come to a show, we've at least been able to do that. Y'all have gotten me through so much, and I hope you can understand. I'd be doing a dishonor to you if I'm not genuinely smiling up on that stage.
Wyatt Flores concluded by stressing his intentions to return to the stage soon, “It's hard to admit these things because of everything y'al have given me, and I don't want to sound ungrateful. I've been chasing after dreams and along the way, I realized I don't know what I was chasing or who I really am beyond all of this. Not only is this a reminder to myself, but it should be a reminder to everyone. Take care of yourself before you take care of others, and I'll be back before too long. Love y'all”.
For someone who is still making his way in the genre, Wyatt Flores’ decision to prioritise his wellbeing is undoubtedly a brave step, and one that has rightly been commended by a number of his contemporaries, such as Conner Smith, Dylan Marlowe, Flatland Cavalry, Zandi Holup, Tanner Usrey, Josiah and The Bonnevilles and more.
Noah Kahan, who has been vocal about his own mental health struggles over the years, reshared Wyatt Flores’ post with a heartfelt message of support, “Let's be here for each other. This shit is hard and this feeling is so familiar. Wyatt Flores thank you for your courage and just know how many are too afraid to do what you just did. Thanks for showing them that it's okay to feel pain, even when it seems like you're living your dream. Much love to you, take the time you need”.
Wyatt Flores's upcoming show in Oxford, Ohio on February 21 has been cancelled, and refunds are available from the point of purchase, with Wyatt's tour-stops in Detroit, Michigan (February 22) and Toronto, Canada (February 23) being postponed.
Although ticket-holders looking forward to attend these shows will of course be disappointed, it's safe to say fans will understand Wyatt Flores’ decision. We're all hoping he continues to focus on his mental health, and that he takes the time and care he needs.
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