To most Aussies, it is a simple recycling bin.

For singer Beccy Cole, the classic yellow-lidded rubbish bin represents the darkest of times in her life.

“There’s a song on (the new album) called Sober about waking up on the ground and then hearing the jangle and shame of my yellow bin, which is very Australian because I think we all have yellow bins for our recycling.” Cole said on the latest episode of the Mental As Anyone podcast, detailing her struggles with alcohol.

“I remember hearing that and going, ‘I’ve got to stop that kind of self-medicating’. For myself personally, I can’t heal that kind of deep, dark sadness unless I’m sober, so I knew that that had to be the first step.”
Cole hit rock bottom following the breakdown of her marriage. She and then partner Libby O’Donovan separated and divorced with the personal turmoil leading Cole into a dark place mentally.

The 53-year-old was suicidal and sought professional help.

Now, having undergone much therapy, including through music with her new album Through The Haze, Cole has sworn off relationships for good.

“You work out that nothing would ever happen in a relationship, in a romantic relationship, with somebody with whom your values don’t align and I never understood that before,” she said.

“And now that I understand it, you cannot unsee it. So I’m single for life. It’s a choice. I mean, my divorce, my marriage break-up, wasn’t my last break-up. I’ve had a couple since then, so I got back on the horse, so to speak.

“But yeah, I think I’ve got a way to go as far as trust, that’s a whole other issue but as far as being happy with myself and who I am, that’s a first for me – an all-time first – not just happy with myself post-therapy, I dig who I am now and I back myself more, which is cool.”

Do not however mistake Cole’s statement as a vow of celibacy.

“Come on, I’m not dead,” she laughed.

Cole is currently touring the new album with dates across the country over the coming months.

Through The Haze is her first new studio album release in seven years.

Need to talk? Call Lifeline: 131144; Beyond Blue: 1300224636; Kids Helpline: 1800551800

* A new episode of Mental As Anyone drops each Tuesday morning.