Sufjan Stevens says he’s “okay” but still recovering emotionally and physically after the hardest years of his life.
The 49-year-old singer-songwriter opened up about life since the death of his partner, Evans Richardson, in April 2023, and his own battle with Guillain-Barré Syndrome later that year.
In a candid interview with Vulture, Stevens shared that he’s still in a “state of repair and survival,” but is finally starting to feel some stability return.
“I’m okay. Situation normal, all up, kind of a thing,” he said. “I’ve had some pretty difficult things happen to me, so I’m in a state of repair and survival. I’m not really in any state of mind or any position to go on tour yet. But I’m starting to see the light.”
After losing his partner and fighting a rare neurological condition that left him temporarily unable to walk, Stevens has kept his focus on the present.
“I’ve been focusing on the moment and on things that feel very silly and Zen: serenity and acceptance and duty and stewardship,” he explained.
These days, the once-touring artist finds comfort in everyday routines, mundane but grounding tasks that give him peace and structure.
“It’s a lot of gardening and dog-walking and running a small business,” Stevens said. “I’m the primary owner of Asthmatic Kitty now because Lowell [Brams, his stepfather and co-founder of the label] is retired. I have a team of people, but I’m a lot more involved than I used to be.”
He went on to describe what sounds like a very ordinary life, retiring tiles in the kitchen, fixing a septic pump, buying new appliances, and nurturing seedlings under grow lights in his garage. It’s a slower pace than fans may be used to, but for Stevens, it’s necessary.
“I’ve been working on other people’s music this past year, not my own,” he said. “It feels like my life is in service to other things right now. It’s fine and required of me.”
Despite the difficulties, Stevens emphasized that he’s holding steady and finding new meaning in this chapter of his life.
“I’m okay, I’m okay, I’m okay,” he repeated. “It’s been two years of a s***tshow, but I’m okay.”
While fans might be hoping for new music or a tour, it’s clear Stevens is taking the time he needs. The Sufjan Stevens recovery journey is ongoing, and for now, it’s rooted in stillness, simplicity, and slow healing.
