“If you can figure out the WHY, the HOW will come.” That’s country singer-songwriter Brandon Stansell’s mantra these days – and a sentiment that rings especially meaningful when taken in tandem with his new song, “Hurt People,” a beautifully sparse duet with Cam about looking at how pain from the past can often lead us to hurt others in the future.
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month and plenty of us focused on staying centered as we self-quarantine with Pride Month just around the corner, Billboard decided to check in with some of our favorite drag queens and LGBTQ talent to see what they’re doing in isolation and what techniques they’re using to stay mentally healthy during this unusual time.
Stansell – the first artist to have an LGBTQ music video debut on CMT – let us know what he’s up to in quarantine, from binge watching one of the longest-running dramas on TV to listening to a particular 1991 smash on repeat.
First Things First
“Well I am pretty much a monster until I get coffee, so that is always first — quarantine or no quarantine. But before it really kicks in, I meditate, and I would consider that to be the first productive thing of my day.”
Quarantunes
“Every time I hear this song, it brings me nothing but pure happiness: Amy Grant’s “Baby Baby” was my first FAVORITE song (and still is)! That syncopated synth intro sounds like pure joy to me and always has. And the Tori Kelly remix is fire.
“[The music that helps me feel centered] changes so often that I created a playlist for that. All my favorite new country artists and songs — keeping me centered and sane during this crazy time.”
De-Stressing During Ruff Times
“Thank god for my dog because I feel like I would be a lot less sane without him around. We’ve been going a lot of walks and spending a ton of time outside. It’s amazing what some quiet and Vitamin D can do to improve your mood. Oh, and you have to (have to) just leave your phone inside.”
Text Besties
“I have a little quarantine crew that includes my workout partner and we probably text more than anyone right now – about our workout for the day, how much we’re probably going to regret it! We have been following the MisFit Athletics program for 5-6 years now and they have a podcast that we listen to and talk about. It’s inspiring for me to hear from other cross fitters and coaches about how to maintain and even improve your fitness during this time. Plus it’s been fun to come up with new ways to do movements outside of the gym without a ton of equipment! And to keep myself motivated and moving, I made a playlist with everything I am currently listening to.”
Binge Watching
“I have committed myself to Grey’s Anatomy (I figure pick a show with the most amount of seasons and this thing has SIXTEEN!) And Killing Eve! Also I am just putting this together now, but I guess I’m on a Sandra Oh kick – and I am not mad about that.”
What’s for Dinner?
“I do pretty good at meal prepping for myself, so I have still been cooking a lot, but I have also been ordering in – not only because I just get lazy sometimes and want a meal better than I can cook one (lol), but I also want to support the small business around me. Shout out to Spitz for keeping me fed!”
Staying Creative – And Knowing When to Breathe
“Honestly, I haven’t been creating a ton – I have done a few FaceTime writing sessions and a few livestream shows over the past month. So, while I am trying to remain productive, I am also giving myself the chance just to breathe and take a break.”
Keeping In Touch
“It feels like there is a new app for everything…always. So, just a few that I have been enjoying lately are Houseparty and Marco Polo — these have really helped keeping me connected and laughing too.”
What I’ve Learned
“I think I always knew, but this experience has really highlighted that I have some pretty amazing people in my life that I am incredibly grateful for. I think I keep myself so busy, it’s easy to start taking relationships for granted. Being alone for the past few weeks had made me realize that my life is far better with my people in it.”
