In the unpredictable currents of life, where mental health often takes a backseat, Selena Gomez is breaking the silence. Her journey, candidly shared in her documentary and echoed in her presence at SXSW 2024, brings to light a topic many shy away from.
Selena Gomez has always been more than her music and roles – she’s a voice for those battling the unseen war of mental health. The documentary peels back layers of her stress-ridden life, revealing struggles that resonate with many. Similar to Beckham’s attention to OCD, It’s not just about the highs of stardom but also about hitting rock bottom. And at this depth, Selena found something pivotal – therapy was critical.
Selena Gomez chooses to share that her intimate mental health details in media was fraught with fear.
At SXSW 2024, Selena Gomez shares insights on her journey with substance use disorder and the pivotal role of therapies like DBT, through her documentary and how rock bottom is necessary as well as therapy like DBT
Revealing your most vulnerable moments to the world isn’t easy; it comes with the fear of judgment and misunderstanding. But Selena understood that silence benefits no one. By speaking out, she hoped to dismantle the stigma around mental health, showing it’s okay not to be okay.
Revealing your most vulnerable moments to the world isn’t easy; it comes with the fear of judgment and misunderstanding.
Self-compassion emerges as a beacon in her narrative. Watching herself being overtly critical on camera wasn’t easy for Selena. It’s a mirror to how harsh we can be towards ourselves without realizing the detriment of such self-criticism. She advocates for gentleness towards oneself – understanding that healing isn’t linear and can’t be rushed. Imagine how many lives could be embraced during challenges like anxiety, depression and panic, not only celebrities who get immense attention although it is a reflection of our society, not a problem of a few.
Therapy stands out as an unparalleled component in healing for Selena. But not just any therapy – Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT has offered her tools for learning about herself and managing emotions effectively. One such tool is RAIN (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture), pivotal in DBT practices.
Let’s break down RAIN:
– Recognize: Identifying what you’re feeling without immediate judgment.
– Allow: Letting those feelings exist without trying to push them away.
– Investigate: Curiously exploring these emotions, understanding their origins.
– Nurture: Offering kindness to yourself amidst these emotions.
RAIN is more than an acronym; it’s about facing your feelings head-on with compassion rather than avoidance or self-criticism.
Why does Selena champion DBT and tools like RAIN? Because they help you learn about yourself, understand your thought patterns, and offer mechanisms for managing emotional turmoil responsibly. It’s about gaining control over your reactions rather than being at their mercy.
For all you vibrant souls entering your twenties or navigating through them, Selena’s message resonates deeply. Mental health struggles are real – they cross paths with us regardless of fame or status. Her courage in sharing underscores an essential truth; we’re all human, wrestling with our minds sometimes more than the world outside.
It underscores an invaluable lesson – healing takes time, therapy can be instrumental in this journey, and self-compassion should be non-negotiable. So as you chart through life’s torrents – remember Selena’s words and bravery as a lantern guiding through darkness toward wellness and understanding.
By Jase A.
