Tate McRae knows better than to Google herself.
As a self-proclaimed over-thinker, the pop star, 21, understands just how easy it is to get caught up in the opinions of others — which is why she tells PEOPLE her “rule number one” is to “never search yourself up on the internet.”
“All it does is literally just stunt your creativity. I think the worst place to write or create music from is a place of fear and judgment,” she says. “It’s human nature to go out and look for bad things, and see what you need to work on, and see what people don’t like about you. Honestly, I’ve just been like, ‘I need to get off my phone.’”
The “Sports Car” singer — who was recently named Neutrogena’s Global Ambassador for the 10-year anniversary of their Hydro Boost Water Gel — announced in November that her third album, So Close to What, is set for release on Feb. 21.
McRae tells PEOPLE that when she abides by her own rules and bypasses any fear and judgment that come from haters on the internet, it often leads to musical success.
“Whenever I’m confident and ready to try anything and not scared, that’s when I create my best stuff,” she says. “I think freedom is the key to your best work and your best mind, so I try to block out the noise as much as I can.”
The Canadian star says that releasing music is “one of the most terrifying and exciting things ever,” and reveals that she remains dedicated to switching things up.
“Anytime I walked into the studio, [I tried] not to play it safe. One of the worst feelings is releasing stuff and it not doing anything — for anyone else, for me, for my growth,” she says. “Every time I go into the studio I’m like, ‘What do I love? What do I think is exciting at this time? What am I passionate about?’ And trying to take other people’s opinions and criticism outside of it to make stuff that feels the most genuine to who I am as a 21-year-old woman right now.”
Upon announcing the new record, McRae wrote on Instagram that making it “has been the most beautiful and exciting journey.”
“I cannot wait to finally share it with you !!!!!!!!!!” she added.
The album comes just over a year after the release of her second record, Think Later, which featured hits like “Greedy” and “Exes.”
In her chat with PEOPLE, McRae also revealed her beauty routine while on tour.
“I’ll use my Neutrogena wipes and take off my makeup. Then, I’ll usually go in with a light cleanser. And then, I obviously use the Hydro Boost Water Gel,” she said.
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