Being a psychology student, I learn a lot about mental health and its treatment. All of us deal with periods of bad mental health, and whether it be clinical or not, one of the most advantageous things for mental health is a social support system. Having the love of friends and family give us immeasurable benefits, which Triston James explores in their new song “The House.” This deeply vulnerable song takes us through a journey of revelations, gratitude, and healing as James is pulled out of a bad mental state by friends, family, and their own determination.
In a post on their Instagram, James opens up about how this song started. James describes being in “the worst mental state [they’ve] ever been in” and how a friend really helped change their perspective. The “house” referenced in the song is meant to be representative of this hopeless mental state, and James sings about finally leaving it.
“The house that you told me to leave
Don’t stay there, don’t believe”
This friend’s support was vital in James’ recovery. He helped them to recognize the fallacies in their own beliefs. It’s much easier to see the way out of something when you’re not in the middle of it, which is why our friends are better able to show us a different perspective on our own lives. James says of their friend: “in admiration of him I dropped my fears of independence, financial insecurity, and failure.” I think it’s beautiful that our friends can have such a lifesaving impact on us and that their love and support can become the muse for our art.
“Trust myself and walk away”
Self-acceptance and trusting yourself is one of the hardest, yet most monumental, steps in overcoming mental struggles. James captures the challenge of stepping out of the comfort zone that fear and hopelessness can become. Through the support of their friends and family, James slowly begins to trust themself and “walk away” from the “house” of gloom that they’ve been trapped in.
“Every day spending free
I’ve been waiting to be me”
James looks ahead to “the house that [they’ll] build” now that they’ve begun to heal and shift their perspective on life. They’ve been waiting to finally become their true self and can’t wait to embrace the freedom of leaving the former “house” that was full of hardship. These lines offer both closure to the past and hope for the future, toeing the line between reminiscing and looking ahead that is present throughout this song.
“I’m a better person with you at my side”
The love James has for their friend shines throughout this whole song, but the simplicity and vulnerability of this line really solidifies the impact of this friendship. Admitting that you are a better person because of someone else, that you are who you are because of someone else, is such an emotional sentiment that it feels too large to even put into words. But James does it over and over in “The House,” a love letter and thank you to their friend, and a goodbye to the grief of their past.
