What the Avicii Documentary Taught Me About Identity and Happiness

When I watched the Avicii documentary, it hit me harder than I expected.

Tim Bergling’s story, his struggle to balance his public persona with his private self, is one I know all too well. As DJs and artists, we often live two lives: the one we show to the world and the one we experience when the lights go out.

Tim’s words, “I was much happier before I became famous. Everything went on autopilot – I was empty and unhappy,” brought me back to moments in my own career when I felt the same. From the outside, it looked like I had everything: the gigs, the applause, the so-called dream life. But inside, I was running on fumes, questioning whether the life I was living was truly meant for me.

If you’ve ever felt torn between the person you are and the artist the world expects you to be, this is for you.

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The Artist vs The Person

Tim described it perfectly in the documentary: “As an artist, you have to see yourself as a character completely different from who you really are.”

I remember the exact moment I realized “JoeySuki” had taken over. I was backstage after a major gig, surrounded by people congratulating me, and I felt… nothing. The person standing there, smiling for photos, wasn’t me, it was the artist I thought people wanted to see.

“The characters Tim and Avicii overlapped,” Tim said, and that’s where the danger lies. When you spend so much time being the artist, it becomes harder to remember who you are without the name, the brand, or the expectations. For me, it felt like losing pieces of myself one gig at a time.

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Chasing a Dream That Wasn’t Mine

Success in the music industry is addictive. The bigger the gigs, the louder the crowds, the more you want. But at some point, I found myself chasing something I didn’t even want.

Tim’s words, “I chased an idea of happiness that wasn’t mine,” resonate deeply with me. In the early years, I thought that hitting milestones, signing with a major label, traveling the world, or getting booked at bigger festivals, would make me happy. But the truth is, none of those things matter if you’re not connected to yourself.

I remember sitting at my parents’ kitchen table, exhausted after weeks of touring. My mom asked me why I didn’t seem happy, and I couldn’t answer her. On paper, I was living the dream, but in reality, I was running on autopilot, just like Tim described.

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The Illusion of the Dream Life

The music industry often glorifies the lifestyle: the travel, the fans, the late nights. But the reality is far more complex.

“Friends and parents don’t understand. They say, ‘You’re living the dream,’” Tim shared in the documentary. That disconnect is something I’ve seen over and over again, not just in myself but in so many of the artists I’ve worked with. The people around you mean well, but they can’t see the exhaustion, the anxiety, or the constant push to be more, do more, and give more.

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Finding My Way Back

It wasn’t easy, but I eventually realized that chasing what others expected of me wasn’t sustainable. I had to take a step back and ask myself the hard question: “Who are you outside of the music?”

Tim’s powerful reflection, “Who are you? I’m Tim,” is a reminder that being an artist doesn’t mean losing your humanity. For me, it meant reconnecting with what truly made me happy, not the big gigs or the applause, but the simple, quiet moments for myself.

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Staying True to Yourself

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying grounded. “It’s important to stay true to yourself and keep both feet on the ground,” Tim said, and that truth has guided me ever since.

Being an artist means navigating a world of noise, expectations from fans, pressure from labels, and even self-doubt. But staying true to who you are, even when it feels risky, is the only way to create a career and life that truly fulfills you.

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Why This Matters

If you’re reading this and it resonates, it’s because you’ve probably felt it too. The pull between your passion for music and the weight of the industry. The fear of losing yourself while trying to build something bigger.

You’re not alone.

That’s why I do what I do. As a coach, I help artists (especially DJs) navigate these challenges. Together, we dig deep into who you are, what you want, and how to build a career that reflects both your artistry and your humanity.

If you’ve ever questioned whether the life you’re building is truly yours, or if you’re searching for balance and authenticity, I’d love to help. Let’s have a conversation.

Because at the end of the day, your career should reflect not just your talent but your truth. Let’s build something real, something that feels like you.

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Take the first step. Book a free consultation today, and let’s start creating the life and career you deserve.

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