Selena Gomez Says Years Being “Confused And In Love” Were “Worth It”

In a new interview along with her mom, Mandy Teefey for The Newsette. Selena Gomez opened up about her decision to be increasingly vocal about her mental health.

She said she is not ashamed of previously having sought treatment for anxiety and depression. The Rare Beauty founder shared that she feels better and she feels like she can understand a lot of things now.

Selena revealed how her mental health journey has given her a unique point of view; which has only served as a strength. The singer shared, “I feel like being able to just be myself is something really hard, and I’ve had to work on that. I used to be terrified about creating my own stuff. Now when I’m on set, on a movie or TV show, or working on music, I feel like just being myself is such a gift.”

She further added that once she started doing it and saw the rewards afterward. The Lose You To Love Me singer shared what she thought of making a decision and feeling glad and freer when she is herself. She shared how the success of her recent album, Rare feels more satisfying; because of all the ups and downs which also includes her high-profile relationships.

Selena revealed that none of what she is doing now would have come about if she had the mindset she had before. The singer shared that the best stuff is happening now. She also revealed how the reactions to her superhit music, Lose You To Love Me were crazy on the first and the second day; and described it as the greatest thing.

“You can take care of your mental health and still be creative.”

The singer recalled how she smiled and thought how much its worth it. She shared, “All of these years of confusion and being in love, and all of this stuff … and it was finally a clean slate.’ And it wasn’t even because everyone liked it; it was just a realization of why I went through everything I went through.”

Selena shared that if she hadn’t focused on her mental health and hit pause, she wouldn’t be where she is now. The Rare Beauty founder revealed how she feels like she would have missed many opportunities in her life; if she hadn’t prioritized her mental health.

The singer said, “I think because I’m super happy — still have my days, girl! — but it genuinely makes me so happy to see what I’ve been doing and actually having fun doing it; and then to understand what I am doing for other people, too”. Her mother added how Selena thinks that she is doing her best stuff now that she is healthier is a positive message.

Mandy further said, “You can take care of your health and your mental health and still be creative”. Meanwhile, Selena shared how lucky she feels to have been raised by a mother who wasn’t afraid of talking about things.

“[Mental illness] didn’t seem like a taboo thing for me,” she said. “It was like, ‘Oh, okay, I definitely know it’s possible to have a mental illness,’ so I was much younger when I started therapy; and it was great, but I was still figuring it out. I think it takes a special person for you to match up with.”

“I believe mental health care should be accessible to everyone.”

Mandy further said how patience, listening, and not being in denial is key to anyone who is trying to figure out mental health within their own families. The mother shared how initially she wanted to fix everything for Selena; because she didn’t want her child to suffer from the same things she suffered.

Mandy explained, “It can be confusing to parents who don’t have a mental illness, [but also] it was confusing for me dealing with my mental health and also trying to understand hers. We went through a lot of ups and downs, but if our ups and downs can help another family, then it’s all worth it.”

Selena recently revealed that she has bipolar disorder earlier this year. The singer is supporting the mental health journeys of other people through her Rare Impact Fund. The initiative is committed to raising $100 million in the next ten years to help underserved communities to get mental health treatment.

“I’ve always had dreams of having centers like Planned Parenthood, but just dedicated to mental health,” she said. “I believe mental health care should be accessible to everyone.”