Sarah Slean says she learned everything she needed to know about love through one of her own songs.

Not long ago, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter went through a period when she dated a series of men who were not "emotionally available" or already married.

Inevitably, these short-lived relationships ended badly and left Slean despondent. Rather than putting all the blame on these insincere lotharios, Slean looked at herself, and saw a pattern in the way she picked romantic partners.

That's when she wrote the single Get Home from her latest album The Baroness.

In the heartbreaking ballad, Slean finds the strength to tell a lover to go home before they find themselves in a compromising situation.

"Writing music is my way of figuring out the world and me," Slean says from Saskatoon, where she's performing her "Recession-ista" solo tour. "As soon as I work ideas out and tell the truth, it magically transforms into a song."

No sooner did she finish recording her musical epiphany, than Slean met someone who was emotionally available. The couple are now planning to get married later this year.

"Falling in love takes real guts and courage because it is the ultimate risk. It makes you as vulnerable as a person can ever be," she explains.

"The reason we're here is to learn how to love. That is the biggest challenge in life, but it's difficult because we're not used to being so nakedly honest. But we want to be in love because it is such a transformative experience."

Falling in love hasn't been the only change in Slean's life in 2009. She graduates from the University of Toronto's music and philosophy program later this month.

That means a huge change from her bookworm lifestyle. Grabbing her degree means she can focus more attention on her music and writing career.

"I'm glad to finish school because it was hard doing homework while getting ready to play at the Junos. School forced me to take a break from everything else, including music, but now that it's done, I'm starting to miss it again. I'm a school addict."

Still, Slean's creative outlets and professional commitments are enough to make one wonder where she finds the time. She's only released six records since her first record Night Bugs came out in 2002. Then, there are all her projects, the poetry, painting, photography, acting, and now her latest venture, designing clothes with old frocks from second-hand stores.

She's become interested in environmental issues and is cutting down her carbon footprint.

"I'm only one person, but I am committed to cleaning my corner of the universe."