Skrillex celebrated his 35th birthday yesterday with some insightful and revealing tweets about his mental health.
According to him, 2022 was the toughest year of his life as he finally found himself coming to terms with the death of his mother back in 2015.
“My mother passed away a few years back 2nd day of [Lollapalooza] tour in SA,” he wrote. “I never ever coped with it … I drank the pain away and kept going.” 
While the pandemic was certainly hard on many people for a variety of reasons, it did force some into necessary introspection, as seems to be the case here with Skrillex. He goes on to explain that the reason he cancelled his sets at Sunset and Movement festivals last year, which he originally attributed to working on his albums, was because “I was working on myself.”
“For the first time in 4-5 years I’ve found a new sense of peace. It took so much work and sacrifice to get here,” he confided. “There’s my bday tweet to you all.. Turing 35 for me was realizing the are certain fucks you should not give, you’ll be more free for that.”
This year, Skrillex is going full force back into the swing of things with a renewed sense of purpose. He’s been announced on multiple lineups this year and has a couple albums coming, with a new collab between Missy Elliott and Mr. Oizo on the way, as well.
He also just launched his own verified Discord server which you can join here.
If you are struggling with your own mental health, there is help available.
Had the toughest year of my life in 22, as did so many others. I literally found myself with no drive and purpose for the first time in my life
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
My mother passed away a few years back 2Nd day of Lalapalooza tour in SA. I never ever coped with it … I drank the pain away and kept going
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
People ask why “I’ve been gone” or “fell off”, rightfully so. Like I said , 22 was sort of my tipping point, I had to put everything on ice especially my projects/ career
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
the truth is I didn’t cancel sunset and movement festival because of my albums. It we because I was working on myself
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
For the first time in 4-5 years I’ve found a new sense of peace. It took so much work and sacrifice to get here.
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
There’s my bday tweet to you all.. Turing 35 for me was realizing the are certain fucks you should not give , you’ll be more free for that
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
Here’s to 35 laps around the sun and to the fucks I will no longer give 🫶
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
Lastly, the support you’ve all shown over the years does mean the world and I’ll continue to work on myself and not get into a situation where I have to cancel shows / go into hiding
— Skrillex (@Skrillex) January 16, 2023
Photo via Marilyn Hue
