In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Atwood Magazine has invited artists to participate in a series of essays reflecting on identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.

•• •• •• ••

Today, Swedish singer, songwriter, director, and producer Emmanuelle June shares her essay, “‘Not Everyone Deserves Your Story’: A Manifesto for Emotional Sovereignty” for Atwood Magazine’s Mental Health Awareness Month series!

Says June, “This deeply personal reflection explores the tension between society’s pressure to publicly share our inner lives and the sacred power of holding some truths close. The author argues for honoring individuality in healing, reminding us that self-expression—whether through art, movement, silence, or selective vulnerability – is valid, and that reclaiming our personal mystery is an act of strength.”

Growing up mostly in Stockholm, Sweden, Emmanuelle June’s background as an actress offers a versatile set of talents clearly demonstrated both on stage and on screen. After performing in several productions off broadway, she moved to Los Angeles and became more and more engulfed in the music scene, jamming with friends and manifesting lyrics from her poetry. June performed in post-punk and psych rock bands briefly before focusing her energy on her solo career as Emmanuelle June. She has performed at famed Los Angeles locations such as The Hotel Café and Moroccan Lounge with her band at the time, Whisper. She performed as an official artist at SXSW in 2022. She performed at Teater Giljotin’s avantgarde festival Ankoku in Stockholm, 2024. She is also a multiple award winning filmmaker, and a published writer under various nom de plumes.

•• ••

NOT EVERYONE DESERVES YOUR STORY

A Manifesto for Emotional Sovereignty

by Emmanuelle June

Being invited to write a piece on mental health, I did not know where to begin, nor even if or how.

It is far beyond my comfort zone to open up about such things – I do feel that is where I need to take it from; that is the root, and the lesson.

Why is opening up, and voicing our experiences difficult? I have always wished I could be one of those people who’s able to open up, to trust and lean into another. Someone able to be comforted, and consoled by another, but I am not.

I acknowledge I have a saviour complex that shields me from the vulnerability it takes “to be saved” (from my perspective, we can only ever save ourselves from ourselves).

I am a stoic, emotionally-constipated Swedish person, am I not? Or do I simply voice my experiences in my own way and outside the norm?

There is a strong force-fed agenda in that we must “open up” and “share” everything; we must tell people our every feeling/hope/trauma; everything and anything about ourselves that is in fact private, and sacred. If we choose not to share, we are considered unwilling, difficult, and cold.

I believe there are healthy ways in opening up to people, however it is something to do with caution and with careful selection in whom we confide in, and knowing why. Oversharing can only result in depletion and a loss of self.

Not everyone is entitled to knowing our story, same as not everyone is entitled to physically touch us.

Everyone has their own individual way of being, and of healing.

In an era of self-exploitation, (where we constantly give our power away) consider keeping some things close to your own heart. To honor our mystery is to reclaim our power.

What is your outlet? Mine is in the creative and in sweat. For some, it may be speaking to a trusted friend or a therapist. To others, it’s in silence and contemplation. There is no one size fits all. We are all unique and shall honor ourselves and others as such.

We must reclaim our individuality in this time where most are striving to look, and be the same.

I would like to share a poem I wrote some time ago, as I find it fitting, and it hopefully might ignite and inspire. Whether it is “good or not” does not matter. This was my expression, my outlet, my “saviour,” my notebook.

“SUBSTANCE”

Under the influence we spit clichés as if it’s the most profound poetry
The sense of originality vanishes,
we repeat ourselv es
Anything we’ve ever read/heard/seen/experienced.
Substances with the lack of substance leads to hubris; we think ourselves to be geniuses… We become so self-enamoured and self-loathing;
We are amazed by others’ mediocrity in these social circles of self-admiration. Same – As if under a love spell; like Titania when proclaiming her love to an Ass.
We give praise to a ton of bullshit, because we are blinded…by a lack of substance. Change the narrative

Like thunder
Sun down
We see birds before land

Who are we tomorrow – once the sun’s roll’d round?

When we wake up

Gaze into the fire, and scry
Walk barefoot in the grass
Dance unhinged with the flames
Sing at the top of your lungs

Careful of foes posing as friends;
Careful of those wanting you to remain the same –
Those wanting you to wear your old skin; They don’t want to see you win. It is weak to be cruel.

Let your dreams rule ,
Make them come true – Just for You.

– Emmanuelle June

•• ••

:: connect with Emmanuelle June here ::

•• •• •• ••

Connect to Emmanuelle June on
Instagram, X

Discover new music on Atwood Magazine

📸 © Christopher Kazolides

Stream Emmanuelle June