Mary Mendiaz is an emotional pop singer-songwriter known for songs that speak to people who feel unseen, unappreciated, and emotionally stretched thin. Her music lives in the in-between—where love hurts and self-worth quietly waits to be reclaimed. Her upcoming single “Anxious” tells the story of being in a one-sided friendship—giving endlessly, being emotionally overlooked, and slowly realizing that care should go both ways.
Vulnerable and reflective, the song captures the moment where anxiety turns into clarity, and choosing yourself becomes the only option left. Through heartfelt melodies and honest lyricism, Mary Mendiaz creates music that doesn’t just tell a story—it makes listeners feel understood.
1. Can you walk us through the specific moment or realization in your life that sparked the writing of “Anxious”? How did that shift from feeling “just anxious” to recognizing the imbalance in the relationship feel in real time?
There was a moment when I learned something important about their life in the worst way, realizing everyone else already knew except me. When I brought it up, there were endless excuses and somehow the blame landed on me. That’s when I recognized a pattern. I kept overthinking until I realized nothing I did would change how they treated me.
A few days later I picked up my guitar and the first lines of the song came out. There’s an emotional turning point in ‘“Anxious” where the anxiety finally turns into clarity. I’m excited for listeners to experience that shift themselves as I experienced it while writing it.
2. The song focuses on a one-sided friendship/relationship rather than a classic romantic heartbreak. What made you want to highlight this quieter, more subtle form of emotional exhaustion, and how do you think it resonates differently with listeners?
Friendship heartbreak isn’t talked about as much in music, even though friendships are a huge form of love that can sometimes hurt more than romantic ones. Like, when you always celebrate their wins but never feel the same support when you need it. Or, you wanna tell them about your day but all they want to do is talk about theirs. A lot of people quietly experience this dynamic and I wanted the song to reflect it and the moment when someone realizes they deserve more.
3. You describe “Anxious” as turning anxiety into clarity and self-preservation. How has writing and releasing this song personally helped you in reclaiming your own needs and boundaries?
Writing “Anxious” helped me learn to actually say what I feel instead of hurting in silence. When you’re used to keeping the peace, it’s easy to ignore your own needs but there’s something powerful about finally saying, “I’m hurt and I deserve better.” That moment of honesty is the first step toward changing a situation.
4. Your music is often described as dark-pop with cinematic melodies and restrained production. What influences—musical, emotional, or otherwise—shaped the sound and atmosphere of “Anxious”? Are there any artists or albums that felt like companions during the writing process?
Early on I made a playlist to shape the emotional world of the song. It included pop ballads that balance vulnerability with strong melodies, like “Opposite” by Sabrina Carpenter and songs by Sadie Jean, Taylor Swift, Kenzie, JORDI, and Gracie Abrams. As the song developed, I kept asking myself “What should the listener feel at each moment of the story?” The melodies and production were built around moving that emotional arc forward.
5. In your press release, you mention being told you’re “too much” for wanting basic emotional care. How do you hope “Anxious” validates listeners who have heard similar messages, and what kind of response have you already seen from early shares on social media?
I hope listeners realize that wanting emotional care doesn’t make you “too much.” If you feel like you deserve more from someone, that feeling usually exists for a reason. Many people quietly question whether they’re asking for too much when they’re actually asking for the bare minimum. I was one of them. Even before its release, many people have told me their own stories of being in a similar situation. My hope is that “Anxious” ongoingly creates space for listeners to recognize that feeling and understand they’re not alone in it.
6. As a Toronto-based artist making emotionally honest music for people who feel unseen or stretched thin, how has living in such a vibrant but sometimes isolating city influenced your songwriting and perspective on relationships?
Toronto is vibrant and full of different stories but it can also commonly feel isolating or like you’re being stretched thin. Despite that, I’ve noticed people often want connection but hesitate to be vulnerable first. That’s why I try not to hold back in my songwriting. If I can start that conversation emotionally through music, maybe it encourages someone else to meet someone in the middle. In a way, “Anxious” is my way of taking that first step.
7. You’ve been sharing behind-the-scenes stories and the process on social media leading up to the March 19 release. What has that experience been like, and how has connecting directly with fans shaped your approach to this debut?
Sharing the process online has been vulnerable but really rewarding. I tend to overthink social media but when I shared early versions of “anxious” with my email list and community, the response was positively overwhelming. People immediately connected with the emotional situation and this reaction is actually what made me choose it as my debut single. Seeing people recognize themselves in the song made me realize that’s exactly why I make music.
8. Lyricism seems central to your work—raw, introspective, and direct. What’s one line from “Anxious” that feels particularly vulnerable or important to you, and why?
My lyrics tend to be very direct because songwriting is how I make sense of my thoughts when my mind is overthinking. The bridge is probably the most vulnerable moment in the song because everything emotionally comes to the surface. It captures the realization that you’ve been giving more than you’re receiving and you’re simply getting tired of it and have had enough. I think many listeners will recognize that exact feeling when they hear that part. In many ways, “Anxious” also marks the first step into a slightly darker emotional sound for me, while still keeping the intimacy in the melodies and storytelling.
9. Your bio mentions creating music for those who “love wholeheartedly” but often overgive. Looking ahead, do you see “Anxious” as the start of a larger thematic arc in your music about self-worth and reciprocity, or is it more of a standalone chapter?
I definitely see “Anxious” as the beginning of my songwriting voice. I’m really drawn to exploring emotions, perspectives, and moments when people start recognizing their own worth. Those turning points are powerful. This song introduces that theme, and I’m excited to continue exploring those kinds of emotional stories in future music.
10. What do you want listeners to feel or take away after hearing “Anxious” for the first time—especially those who’ve been in similar situations of giving endlessly without reciprocation? And on a lighter note, what’s one thing you’re most excited about as this single finally goes out into the world?
I hope listeners feel validated. Friendships can be incredibly meaningful, but the wrong ones can also be deeply hurtful. It’s okay to be soft and kind while still setting boundaries. You can care deeply and stand your ground without allowing yourself to be taken advantage of. At the end of the day, you’re your own person — not anyone’s sidekick — and that’s exactly what “Anxious” is about. If someone hears the song and realizes they deserve better, then it has done its job. I’m excited for people to finally hear it and connect with that moment.
you can listen to the track here: https://marymendiaz.bandcamp.com/track/anxious .
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