We recently connected with Blue Mystic and have shared our conversation below.

Blue, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I think I was like 22 when I started to really tap into my artistry. To me, I feel like I started late, but I feel like everything has played out the way it was supposed to. Sometimes I wonder where I would be by now if I would’ve been more invested in my music career when I was younger; But the journey I’ve been on has been special and I wouldn’t want to discredit it. It’s one about self-discovery and healing more than anything. My poetry, music, and art found me in divine timing. I ended up on the path any way.

I started singing when I was about 6 or 7 years old. Music is actually my biggest passion. My parents put me in performing arts, so artistic expression has been a big part of my life. However, I was bullied from a young age and I was shy and insecure about who I was. I wasn’t afraid to go for what I wanted, but I definitely remember having feelings of unworthiness when I landed a big role. I remember facing opposition from others. I was bullied, questioned, & challenged by my peers. I started smoking pot really young.

I created “Mystic Thrift” in 2018. I started making jewelry as a hobby and this allowed me to explore myself in a more creative setting. I started working out of my room, but it was more of a dream. I didn’t think it would turn into my career. At the time, I was also working in food service. I was a barista. I was a bartender. I grew out of every box I tried to make myself fit into. Eventually, my spiritual journey intertwined with my creative exploration. I began to use flowers as a medium and that’s when the magic really started happening. When I finally had enough of my job, I quit. I had no money in my bank account and I had no idea how I was going to make it as an artist, but I didn’t want to do anything else.

At some point in 2020, I hit a wall. I felt like something was missing from my life. This is when I decided to seriously start investing into my music career. I realized I had created an avenue for myself because the same people who book me to vend at events, are the same ones who book the musicians to perform. I started contacting local musicians in hopes of collaborating and turning the poems I’ve written into songs. I had most of the melodies in my head, but I didn’t know how to play any instruments. At first, I felt like it was so hard to get people to take me seriously. I almost gave up a million times in the process. But eventually. I was aligned with the right people. I released my first project in November of 2021. And I’m still figuring things out.

So, yeah, it makes sense why everything happened the way it did. When I was younger, I didn’t know who I was or what I stood for. I didn’t believe in myself yet. I was a troubled teen. I couldn’t find the words because I hadn’t earned my voice yet. I had to earn my stripes, I guess.

Like I said earlier, it’s been a process of getting to know myself in the most raw, authentic way, so I can come back and share what I’ve learned with the world. I had to be ready, the world had to be ready.

People are now starting to “wake up” and look to their spiritual journeys, and I feel like the world is in a more receptive space to integrate the messages I have to share.

After years of existential crisis, questioning my journey, discovering myself as an artist, obstacles, redirections, tears, wondering whether or not I’m a vessel worth of being a messenger & if my spirit can make it in this crazy world, I find myself here — amid a chaotic era in human history, in the midst of a massive evolutionary shift in human consciousness, aligned with my purpose. Who knew my magic wand in this world would be a microphone?

In that case, I think I started at the right time. I feel very aligned with the place I am currently at in my life.

Blue, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Alicia Ayala, professionally known as “Blue Mystic”. I am a singer, songwriter, poet, & multidimensional artist. I opened up my business, Mystic Thrift LLC, in 2019. Mystic Thrift is a metaphysical shop and apothecary that provides an immersive experience! I use flowers, herbs, and crystals as a medium in my practice. I am known for my interior design, altar decor, and herbal smoking blends. I recently started getting into art installations.

I hope to inspire others to connect with themselves, expand their consciousness, heal, tap into their inner magic, and live their purpose. I love being able to translate higher sensory information and emotions in a way humans can understand and connect to.

As a healer, I like to provide a safe space for others to explore the deeper parts of their subconscious mind, repressed memories, emotions, traumas, etc. I express this best with my music. My lyrics consist of channeled messages and soul experiences: heavy in spiritual content, with a nostalgic, but modern r&b/soul twist. I don’t write about anything I haven’t personally been through myself. I write about what I feel.

I believe that vulnerability is a gift that allows us to connect deeper with ourselves and the world around us. I guess that’s why I use flowers as a medium in my art — flowers grow from a seed planted in a dark, murky place and they express themselves to this world in a delicate, feminine, vibrant way. They are fluent in the art of opening up and speak in soft whispers of love. The world needs more love and connection, and I am helping to plant those seeds.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being an artist is connecting with others. Being felt, seen, heard, & experienced in a way that goes beyond words. It is a limitless feeling. I think that’s what we all want ultimately — to express ourselves authentically and be met with love.

Also, being able to do what I love every day and having the freedom to live life the way I want to is the best part of living a creative lifestyle.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

So I’ve been growing my presence on Instagram for the last two to three years! At first, “my audience” were my immediate friends. The algorithm and engagements weren’t really a thing when I first started. Tiktok, Reels, or IG TV didn’t exist yet. I had low engagements for the first year.

But during that time, I built my following organically and used a combination of marketing strategies. I would do giveaways every few months. I would vend at a lot of events in the local scene and gained a lot of exposure from that. I truly gave my craft my all and it propelled me. Eventually, one of my posts hit the explore page and got over 20K likes and it was kind of up from there. Instagram likes it when you pay for ads.

The more you post, the more accounts you reach. The better your content is, the more people follow you.

I still spend hours making content only to get low engagements. It is super discouraging, but it is part of it. It so important to KEEP GOING!! Consistency and Quality Content is KEY. If you’re making quality content, it’s truly only a matter of time before you hit your first viral video.

Some advice: Your Marketing and Branding have to be on point. I’ve always been big on visuals and aesthetics, so having an aesthetically pleasing feed is a MUST nowadays, in my opinion.

Contact Info:

• Website: mysticthrift.com
• Instagram: @mysticthrift / @_bluemystic

Image Credits
photo of me singing: @filmfor.u