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

Hi Zosia, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success is one of the most complex, subjective terms I know. I hear it and use it constantly, but until recently I didn’t fully consider what it means to me. At its core, success is the accomplishment of goals. But the most important thing for me is to distinguish between authentic goals and the ones we are expected to have. Wealth and status are typical “goals” in our culture, and they very well could be authentic aspirations. But I think it’s vital to recognize when we are aiming for something because we think we should.

I love and hate social media, and part of the dislike comes from the comparison culture it’s generated. These platforms are the go-to way to publicize our successes. For example, musicians have begun posting their Spotify year-in-review statistics. Before this trend, this information wasn’t so readily available. We may have been aware of charting songs or platinum albums, but we didn’t know how well every artist was performing. Even if attaining massive Spotify streams isn’t necessarily your aim, it’s easy to feel like it *should* be because everyone seems to be competing. Instagram’s algorithm also generates a sort of competition where the “best” posts are seen the most. These “best” posts often spotlight an aspirational lifestyle, a wedding engagement, a sold-out show, etc. How can our perception of success not be warped by this lens?

Every January I write down a list of goals for motivation. Recently I’ve learned to focus on creating authentic ambitions by asking myself why I want to achieve each one. I still may aim for a certain income, but I understand it’s not just about making money; it’s because that wealth allows me to release more music, travel, etc. I’m also learning to be more open-minded about the direction my ambitions will take. Life happens and priorities change, so I think goals should be just as malleable. And above all, we must remember our successes do not determine our self-worth. We are worthy no matter how our intentions play out.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started writing music when I was 9, but it took me many years to officially release any of it. I lacked direction, motivation, courage. It wasn’t until fairly recently that I realized how much my depression and anxiety were stunting my creative ambitions and career growth. I was around 24 years old when I started to properly attend to my mental health. I began talk therapy, medication, and journaling. I also saw a Reiki healer and a clairvoyant, and I took part in MITT. I was determined to find out why I felt stuck, why I wasn’t moving forward with my music. I now know it was mostly my own self-doubt. Mental health and self-esteem will always need regular tune-ups, but I feel so much more empowered as an artist and businessperson. Many of my songs deal with depression and anxiety, and I hope my honesty can help others who are battling mental illness. I encourage everyone to work through their mental and emotional blocks.

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?
I would take my friend to coffee at Philz in Hollywood, followed by a hike in Topanga, In the afternoon we’d walk down Vermont and eat at Figaro. Then we’d see a show at The Echo and bar hop in the area. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have many authors to thank for their inspiration and guidance. I’ve read so many powerful memoirs written by insightful women that have left lasting impacts. These books have helped me feel less alone in my struggle and have taught me the importance of tenacity and persistence. A few that have stuck with me the most are: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and Girl in the Woods by Aspen Matis.

Website: thisiszosia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiszosia/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thisiszosia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisiszosia/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgAUyzbqqE2D8BtKmY0wEcA

Image Credits
Meredith Lada, Ryan Lee, Chris Hadland

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