AceShowbiz - Demi Lovato is approaching the aging process with a mindful perspective. In an interview with PEOPLE, the actress and singer (who uses she/they pronouns) discussed how she navigates the challenges of growing older.

"Aging is something that, if I think too hard about it, I can get anxiety about," Lovato admitted. "Not because I'm worried about how I look or the changes in my body or my face, but because of that existential dread."

Instead of dwelling on the past or anticipating the future, Lovato chooses to focus on the present moment. "I like to stay in the present moment. When we think about things that are in our past or things that are in our future, we're not present, and presence is the biggest gift that we can give ourselves," she said.

Lovato's new documentary, "Child Star," explores the experiences of child stars past and present, including herself. The film features footage of Lovato, Drew Barrymore, JoJo Siwa, Kenan Thompson, Raven-Symone, Christina Ricci, and Alyson Stoner.

"This was just a story that I had been wanting to tell for quite some time. I've always thought about exploring the history of child stars, and also looking at different points of views and the perspective of what it's like to be a child star in today's day and age," Lovato explained.

Throughout her life, Lovato has been open about her personal experiences and vulnerabilities. "I've been very, very honest in the past, and I've demonstrated that vulnerability throughout my life. I've shared a lot with people, and I've realized that my experiences don't define me," she said.

As Lovato looks to the next year of her life, she acknowledges that it's human nature to crave what we don't have. "And so when we get older, we sometimes put pressure on ourselves because we're not as young as we used to be," she said.

However, Lovato encourages others to appreciate the time they have and to focus on the experiences they can still have. "One day, hopefully decades down the line, you'll be 80, 90 years old and you'll look back and you'll say, 'Why did I waste my time when I was 30-something worrying about age when I had so much to look forward to and so much time on my hands?' " she reflected.

"I try not to focus on how much time we have left, but rather than how much more life experience that we get to have if we're lucky enough," Lovato concluded.

"Child Star" is directed by Lovato and Nicola Marsh and premieres on Hulu on September 17.