Olivia Rodrigo opens up about finding happiness in everyday moments

Olivia Rodrigo has opened up about how she finds happiness in simple, everyday routines, saying that ordinary activities like walking to the grocery store bring her “so much joy” despite living what she describes as an “abnormal” life.

The pop star, 21, reflected on her upbringing as a child actor and said fame has shaped a lifestyle that often feels far removed from normal daily experiences.

“I was a child actor, and I think my life has been very abnormal for a really long time. I just get so much joy from walking to the grocery store … or, like, going and meeting my friends at the bar,” she told Pitchfork.

Rodrigo added that while celebrity life can encourage isolation, she is making a conscious effort to embrace more everyday experiences.

“You’re kind of incentivized not to do stuff like that — it’s easier to stay inside, stay insular. I’m trying to expand outward,” she said.

The singer also spoke about finding balance in her career, explaining that although she takes her music and songwriting seriously, she has learned to adopt a lighter perspective on life.

“I take my work very seriously. My art is something I take very seriously, and writing is something I take very seriously. But also nothing is really that important,” she said.

Rodrigo added that her perspective helps her appreciate the privilege of her career, noting that mistakes in the music industry are not life-or-death situations.

“It’s so lucky we’re not brain surgeons! Nobody lives or dies if we make a mistake. I think I’ve been feeling that lightness lately — we live charmed lives,” she said.

The singer also credited her time in London with helping her feel more grounded and independent, saying she enjoys the ability to walk around freely and meet friends without constant attention.

“I feel so normal here, very adult. I can walk to the pub and meet friends. It’s a city where spontaneity is really encouraged,” she previously told the BBC.

Rodrigo, who was born in California, also said she has embraced British weather and lifestyle, noting that time spent in the UK has influenced both her personal outlook and her music.

She added that parts of her recent album were inspired by her time in London and Manchester, where she found creative energy in the atmosphere and music culture.

The singer described feeling most like herself while living in the UK, saying the experience has shaped both her work and her sense of identity.