British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks has built a career on emotional honesty and introspective artistry. In a recent reflection on the lessons life has taught her, Parks reveals the daily practices, personal struggles, and philosophical approaches that shape both her music and her approach to living.
The artist, who now resides in Los Angeles, maintains a structured morning routine that sets the tone for her creative work. Her day begins with a double espresso, followed by exercise at the gym or a run, then listening to NTS radio before preparing eggs and journaling. This deliberate sequence reflects a broader philosophy that has become central to her wellbeing: controlling the controllables.
Parks describes this mindset as the habit that has served her best in life. By focusing on what she can change rather than fixating on circumstances beyond her influence, she has learned to navigate the unpredictable nature of a music career. This approach proved particularly valuable after she experienced burnout and exhaustion in 2022, which led her to take a necessary mental health break from touring.
Reflecting on that difficult period, Parks acknowledged that feeling fortunate about her position in the music industry paradoxically led her to overextend herself. The recovery process involved returning to fundamental sources of joy: cooking meals for loved ones, spending time with her partner and family, taking trips into nature, and journaling. These simple activities helped her reconnect with herself and remember her identity beyond her professional achievements.
Despite the challenges of a demanding career, Parks maintains an optimistic outlook on the future of music. She observes that exceptional music continues to emerge, with people holding tightly to art and creativity during complicated times. Her own creative process brings her significant joy, particularly those late-night studio sessions where ideas spark and new concepts take shape.
The artist also shared more lighthearted personal revelations, including her successful effort to kick an apple juice addiction. Parks admits she once consumed liters of the beverage daily before gradually weaning herself off the fixation. She confesses that standstill traffic, particularly common in Los Angeles, represents her truest source of rage, requiring podcasts to maintain her composure.
Had music not been her path, Parks reveals she would have pursued teaching, inspired by her father's career in education and the formative influence of her own English teacher. This alternative calling aligns with what she identifies as her primary motivation: doing good and being a positive force in the world. Whether through her music and art or through smaller acts of kindness with friends and family, Parks strives to make a meaningful difference at whatever scale she can.
Among her literary influences, Parks particularly recommends Bluets by Maggie Nelson, describing it as a beautiful meditation on suffering, happiness, and desire that blends poetry and prose. The book explores Nelson's fascination with the color blue while chronicling a dissolving love affair, themes that resonate with Parks's own artistic sensibilities.
Parks credits her parents with teaching her to show up consistently for people and perform small acts of kindness whenever possible. This lesson informs her current approach to relationships, where she aims to be someone others can depend on while remaining open and genuine.
When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Parks offered words that reflect both her journey and her resilience. She would tell that earlier version of herself to keep going and keep being authentic, assuring her that even in moments of feeling lost, she was on the right track and that every experience was part of the necessary process.
Parks continues to tour in support of her new album Ambiguous Desire, released on Transgressive Records. The record represents another chapter in her evolving artistic journey, one shaped by the life lessons she continues to learn and the commitment to authenticity that has defined her work from the beginning.
