"I had trouble distinguishing art from life. I don't now, and I feel much better!"

This quote from Donald Fagen provides a reflective expedition of the relationship in between art and life. Fagen's preliminary struggle to compare the 2 recommends a period where the borders between truth and creative representation were blurred for him. This blurring can frequently happen for those deeply immersed in creative pursuits, where art is not just a kind of expression however a way of understanding and communicating with the world. It might indicate that he when resided in a consistent state of metaphor, where experiences were deemed possible art or where art substantially affected his perception of life.

The shift he discusses-- moving from a state of confusion to one of clarity-- recommends an individual evolution. By stating that he no longer has problem distinguishing the two, and feels "much better" as an outcome, Fagen indicates that discovering a balance or drawing a clear line in between art and life has actually enhanced his well-being. This separation may have allowed him to appreciate and process life experiences in a more grounded way, without the distortive lens that an art-centric viewpoint may have previously imposed. Possibly this shift allowed him to engage with life more authentically, embracing the spontaneity of real-life interactions without the continuous undercurrent of changing them into artistic review or representation.

Moreover, Fagen's reflection hints at a wider commentary on psychological health and individual growth. The declaration acknowledges that artistic ventures can frequently end up being all-consuming, sometimes to the detriment of the individual's understanding of truth. By gaining clearness and learning to compartmentalize art and life, he discovered a sense of relief and enhanced psychological health. This awareness resonates with many who aim to stabilize their passion for art with the demands and realities of life.

Eventually, Fagen's quote captures an individual journey towards balance, highlighting the mental intricacies of artistic engagement and the liberation discovered in attaining a more distinct separation between one's identity as an artist and one's experiences as a person.