Meet Solija Mitzi Rian | Writer, Musician, & Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Solija Mitzi Rian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Solija Mitzi, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Thank you for having me!

In retrospect, I can’t seem to stay in one place. When I feel something get too repetitive, I especially like the act of “changing” and trying something totally different that fuels my energy and perfectly chaotic brain. In the creative field, I think that risks are designed for us, and are necessary because they teach us a thing or two about how we react. They teach us about timing. Risk-taking helps us get a clearer picture of what we’re really urging for as human beings. If that risk ends up being north or south, regardless, I like to think of risk as a form of curious bravery—something that propels the heart and could lead one to a positive, unknown experience.

You have to be open-minded when it comes to decision-making, especially when being involved in creative risk. I’ve learned that there must be balance and self-honesty, even when your brain and heart don’t coincide the way you want them to. In short, what will be for you, will stick. Time is the most precious resource in the universe… I prioritize having a variety of options, and I’ve practiced setting realistic expectations. I believe that things are already planned out for us, and while we’re here, it’s kind of our duty to go through the process and just soak everything up—the successes and failures, the little things, all noted.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m not too fond of labels, as I observe myself dipping my toes in what seems appealing to me at a given moment. My art comes in various forms of expression and mediums, and I find that I use lessons, lived experiences, and singular moments, to be much of an inspiration to my whole.

A lot of my work revolves around simplicity, introspective techniques, the act of noticing and being aware, and being a Filipino writer in this day and age. I experiment with mixed media art, photography, all types of writing (poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and criticism), and filmmaking. In undergrad, I majored in English, Creative & Professional Writing, and Media, as a focus. I like to use color, I tend to execute eccentric images + notions, and I make it a habit to execute an essence of “humanity” to showcase a vital message in simplistic forms. My approach to creating and documenting accompanies my philosophy as an artist: “The best stories to tell are the ones that shine some light; they are the ones that are the most personal.”

My artist name is “thehumansun,” and my first name means “sun girl” and “star of the sea.” In terms of music, I self-released my latest single called “You Know,” a few months back, and have an EP in the works. I am so genuinely lucky to have amazing humans that connect with my music. In the near future, I will be having a few more publications out too, and I plan to finish my very first film script that I’ve been working on since high school!

These days, I am taking advantage of traveling and using my truth for the good. I lived in New York for a few months last semester, as a Media Intern/Writer for The Met. I also just got back from a trip to Maine, visiting my script’s exact location. I’ve been collaborating with different journals and collectives and have been anxiously educating myself about the WGA/SAG strikes and their impacts. In the next few months or so, I plan to be back in LA/NY surrounded by inspiring creatives and friends.

Essentially, through all of this, in the infancy of my career, I try not to give myself too much pressure, as creating exists as a form of home for me. I’ve learned that having the right support is crucial, and I’ve prioritized taking care of my health, mental health, and inner parts of myself first. Most importantly, I try to remind myself that we are responsible for our own happiness and that taking those needed steps will always bring us closer to what’s profoundly for us. An essential part of being a storyteller is always keeping empathy in mind, never forgetting where you come from/or started, and paying attention to “the little signs” that our loved ones display. Sometimes, it’s going to be hard, but I believe in the duality of failure and loss. Showing up, trying again, embracing your authenticity, and pushing forward with kindness is something that I was taught at a young age. This mindset, along with my enthusiasm for the arts, are things that I habitually carry with me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A few weeks back, my little brother, my cousin, and I, simply bonded over watching the sunset by the beach at Crescent Bay Park. Whenever you’re in LA, I recommend hanging by the beach, playing volleyball, waiting for the sun to set, and walking around nearby oceanfront shops when blue hour hits. Nightlife is always fun by the ocean and grass because the atmosphere and air quality are just right. I loved walking through Main Street by Ocean Park when the light posts appear dewy and lit up. We ate at JINYA Ramen, and it was the first time I tried a lycheetini.

I feel like Mother Nature is very underrated and not appreciated enough—especially our nearby oceans. Going to the beach is one of those rare occasions where I can be carefree and not have to worry about stuff. It’s a cathartic mental break. We also visited The Japanese Garden in Lake Balboa which was so ethereal and soothing.

Also, during every Cali visit, my family’s tradition is to eat at Culver’s Hop Li. The crispy noodles are a consistent go-to, and I find myself always laughing with relatives of relatives that I hardly even know the names of…

LA summers, with my family and relatives, continue to be some of the best summers of my life.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support, sacrifice, and love of my parents, best friend/little brother, and schnauzer. Their guidance and wisdom as well as their openness to my creative endeavors, is something that I am boundlessly grateful for. This familial support is something that I take with me wherever I go, providing me a sense of calmness and reassurance in the big heap of it all.

Additionally, I’d like to thank my relatives on both sides, who cheer me on from different corners of the world. My resilient Aunt Rocky, my grandparents, and my cheerful cousins and friends, continuously teach me the importance of active presence, patience, and shedding grace, not only to others, but to yourself. I will always be appreciative of Michael too, for believing in “Joni.”

Thank you to my writing mentors for always seeing my stories through and pushing me to submit to daunting places. Dr. Pena, a screenwriting professor of mine, played a significant role in nurturing my love for all things scriptwriting, introducing me to the
Donnie Darko script.

Thank you to Gary Halvorson, the director of Friends, and a director I was very fortunate enough to shadow, for giving me the best one-word piece of advice ever: “Write.”

Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my favorite artist in the whole world, the kindest painter I know, and the most humble cartoonist/dancer out there—my Uncle Bunch. You have taught me so many things in this lifetime, and I am forever grateful for the moments we shared. From boy drama to artistic insights, you are the definition of exuding light.

I am eternally lucky to pass by so many kind-hearted people that continue to inspire, impact, and challenge me. My stories wouldn’t be stories without all of you.

Website: https://www.thehumansun.com/

Instagram: @thehumansun

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJOuSAc7UKa-y9vieb9C4_w

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5C6LQ8MLE0gKngPLoGxPzf

Image Credits
2023 © Solija Mitzi Rian All Rights Reserved.