Shawn Mendes Calls His 2022 Tour Cancellation “The Greatest Decision” He Ever Made

Shawn Mendes recently discussed his experience canceling the 2022 Wonder: The World Tour. In an episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast on September 30, Mendes reflected on the mental health issues that caused the abrupt halting of the tour, highlighting how it enabled him to restore balance in his life.

The talented singer-songwriter launched the Wonder: The World Tour in June 2022 but had to cancel after just seven performances. He explained that prioritizing his mental health was essential, as he faced challenges with anxiety and depression during the tour.

Mendes remarked that although making the decision was incredibly tough, it ultimately became a transformative moment for him. He stressed that taking a break created an opportunity for self-discovery, which he described as one of the best choices he has ever made.

“Canceling that tour was by far the hardest decision of my life and by far the greatest decision of my life — and it gave me a life, you know?”he stated.

Shawn Mendes’s Fight with Mental Health

During his dialogue with Jay Shetty, the 26-year-old artist candidly spoke about the internal battles that compelled him to step away from touring. Mendes described feeling a “general darkness or lowness”that hindered his ability to enjoy life, explaining that he found himself viewing his surroundings through the lens of depression and anxiety.

“I had nowhere to go when things were getting hard,”Mendes shared.

Shawn Mendes recognized that despite previously enduring tough moments while touring, this experience was distinctly different. He expressed feeling ‘disconnected’ from many facets of his life, making it challenging to take a break and find stability. The relentless pressure of life on the road, coupled with his mental health challenges, left him feeling profoundly isolated.

“I didn’t have other aspects of life that I felt connected to, that I could have leaned into to have a little bit of a break from touring,”Mendes explained. “And I knew there was only one way of doing that. And it was just like creating a life,”he added.

Deciding to cancel the tour wasn’t easy for Shawn Mendes. He recognized that the choice affected not just his fans but also the nearly 100 members of his touring crew. Mendes expressed remorse over the sacrifices made by his team, articulating,

“It was like, ‘Oh man, people were excited,’ you know? People were proud of what they created, and that was the hard part.”

However, the singer believes that canceling the tour ultimately provided him with the necessary time to reconnect with himself and address his mental health. Before the cancellation, Mendes made attempts to reschedule several shows to continue the tour. As time went on, he concluded that he needed to step back to ensure he could recover physically and mentally. In a July 2022 social media message, Mendes stated,

“It has become more clear that I need to take the time I’ve never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger.”

Shawn Mendes is now focusing on promoting his upcoming studio album, Shawn, which is set to be released on October 18, 2024.

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