Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Gizem Atalya of West LA

Gizem Atalya shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Gizem, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Honestly, the first 60 minutes of my so called 90-minute morning routine are completely devoted to my dog, Marcello. Between taking him out for his walk, feeding him, and handling the usual dog mom duties, that first hour is basically all his. The rest of the time? That’s me, wandering around the kitchen, making coffee, and trying to convince my brain that yes, the day has officially started.

If I’m lucky, I get to enjoy a podcast while walking Marcello or sipping my coffee. I also like to use that window to call my parents or my sister abroad thanks to the time difference, mornings are usually the best time to catch up. And if there’s still a little calm left before the day picks up, I love to journal a bit and ease into my thoughts.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As I get older, I’ve found myself becoming more confident in who I am and I actually love saying that, especially because aging is often portrayed as something scary for women. But for me, it’s been incredibly empowering.

I’m Gizem Atalya or also known as Gizem Atalay. I’ve used “Atalay” for my motion design work and “Atalya” as my artist name in music. I’m an artist, a musician, and a lifelong student. Over the past year, I’ve been diving deep into my music something I’ve always dreamed of doing. Finding my true self through my voice has been a transformative experience, bringing a whole new level of confidence and clarity into my life. And honestly, I’ve been having a blast creating and building a sound that feels 100% me.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I think this question perfectly explains why I chose to go with Gizem Atalya as my stage name. It felt unique and something entirely mine, not inherited from anyone and not a complete identity change either. I didn’t want to carry over the doubts or the lack of self-confidence I once had in my voice. Atalya was like stepping into a new chapter with a fresh identity one that’s fully me. Not tied to a family, or a person. And yet, it’s still very much me more than ever.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
If you’re very lucky, you get the chance to work with truly amazing, inspiring people those rare connections that make everything feel aligned and energizing. But the truth is, it’s not always easy to consistently be surrounded by great people. The creative world, and life in general, can bring a mix of energies and intentions.

Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to protect my peace above all else. Not every opportunity or relationship is meant to last and that’s okay. I’ve had to learn not to take things personally, to set boundaries, and to recognize when something is no longer serving me in a healthy or fulfilling way. Letting go, even when it’s hard, can be an act of self respect. And now, I choose environments and people that align with the energy I want to keep peaceful, grounded, and growth oriented.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I once heard that sharks die when they stop swimming—and I think the same holds true for humans. When we stop growing mentally, physically, or spiritually something inside us starts to fade. Life is a journey filled with mysteries, challenges, and endless discoveries. And honestly, I don’t know what could be more exciting than having something new to look forward to, to learn from, to become. That constant evolution is what keeps us alive, awake, and connected to the wonder of being human!

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
This is something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately. Everything around us is designed to make us crave external validation and it’s only human to want to be seen, praised, accepted. But when you really pause and look inward, you start to realize that this hunger doesn’t actually come from the outside. It starts within.

It’s you judging you. You doubting you. You criticizing yourself before anyone else even gets the chance. The world holds up millions of mirrors, each reflecting pieces we’ve neglected or forgotten. And eventually, we lose sight of what we were even searching for to begin with.

But it all starts with the self. With me. With you. When you do your best truly; your best after reaching this kind of self-awareness, that alone becomes enough. That is the antidote to the endless hunger. That’s where real peace begins.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @gizematalya
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQdybrzXJCBORithDUpjYWA
• Other: spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cdiPrgEHn4WSlkIy7XorQ

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/tr/artist/gizem-atalya/1807228744

Image Credits
The Villain Music Video Shoot

Oasis Imagery & Film @oasisimagery

BTS by Spaz @spazygal

Cover pictures @christopherbrownphotos