I’m a passenger on the Lizzo train after seeing her perform on The Today Show. Her self-assuredness and joy comes across in her interviews. In an interview on The Daily Show in April, she seemed upbeat. She also seemed to be enjoying herself at the MTV Movie and TV Awards, broadcast last Monday, where she did an energetic performance of “Juice.”
A video that Lizzo posted on Instagram on Thursday, about experiencing depression, may have surprised some of her fans. People has more:
Lizzo is opening up about her battle with depression.
On Thursday, the “Juice” singer, 31, shared a video on Instagram with the words “I’m depressed” written over it.
“There’s no one I can talk to because there’s nothing anyone can do about it,” Lizzo continued. “Life hurts.”
The star further explained her state of mind in the caption, writing, “I self-love so hard because everything feels like rejection… it feel like the whole world be ghostin me sometimes. Sad af today.”
Despite having a rough day, Lizzo remained hopeful of her mental state, sharing, “But this too shall pass.”
Following responses from her followers, Lizzo posted a follow-up video on Friday, which People transcribed in the article:
“I know that something real incredible is about to happen and something incredible has already happened,” Lizzo began.
“I know that I am just in between that incredible moment. I use sadness so constructively in the last two years ever since I have been working on being emotionally honest. I’ve used sadness as a tool for gratitude,” Lizzo said as tears streamed down her face.
“It’s humbling and I’m grateful to feel these emotions because, because I know that because of this sadness I am going to be able to feel joy,” she added.
This hurt to watch; I know so many people who have lived with depression–whether for short amounts of time or for most of their lives. One of the worst things about it, as Lizzo alluded to, is that it’s isolating, and people assume that it’s easy to “just snap out of it,” so talking about it often seems pointless. I’m so glad that Lizzo feels that something real incredible is about to happen. That’s a helpful attitude to have when everything seems bleak; it can be hard to call that up when you need to, though. Hopefully, Lizzo keeps that later Instagram video around in the event that she experiences another episode of depression. When I was reading some articles as background , I found a recent interview that Lizzo did with Rolling Stone, in which she talks about the decision last summer to start going to therapy. I’ve no idea whether she is still going, of course, but I hope that she’s taking care of herself and that she keeps making music for a long time.
photos credit: WENN
I feel for her. I struggle with anxiety disorder and depression. Medication has saved my life. I hate that medication for depression is so taboo. I did everything possible to combat my anxiety and depression: meditation, yoga, no sugar, no caffeine, no gluten, no drugs or alcohol. Daily exercise. Every damn supplement and essential oil every suggested. My doctor finally said it could
Be as simple as biochemistry. Once I surrender to trying medications it took me 4 different trial and errors but I finally found one that works well. It’s changed my life. Depression and anxiety suck.
My story too. I’ve been on meds for years now, and they work great. Every once in a while I think I don’t need them, try to go off, but end up back on again. I think depression has lots of different causes-mine is biochemical and that’s that. I have to say though that after twenty years of depression, I am finally learning to recognize and cherish the gifts it has given me: empathy, sensitivity, compassion, patience. At least one of my kids has it, which sucks, but I feel like I can really help them in a way I didn’t.
@k I can relate to this completely. I had undiagnosed depression for years. I didn’t realize until I started medication how bad it was because I didn’t know what it felt like to be normal. Now I just regret that it took me so long to agree to try meds I missed out on years of my life. I’m not saying meds for everyone but they can be life changing for a lot of people.
We’ve all got to keep working at making medications a comfortable subject. I teach undergraduates (18-22 year-olds) and I have been very openly mentioning my depression and my ADHD in class, because so many students have these and are embarrassed to ask for help. I’ll just mention it every so often in passing, and often when I do, students will then share something about their own experiences right there in class. Students will come to my office to talk about it as well. It’s so important to normalize it so people will talk about it and ask for help. Whenever a celebrity talks openly about their own mental health, I get so excited for our society.
We discuss meds, the power of meditation and exercise, the importance of sleep, and the importance of self-care. I’m not out here pushing meds, just to clarify.
Yes, I teach 14-16 year-olds and try to be as open as is appropriate about my own struggles with depression and eating disorders. It’s good for them to see they’re not alone, that it is something you can live a good life with and that it’s normal. Many of my colleagues have started being more open too and it really makes a difference for kids.
I relate to this so absolutely completely that I just bawled when I saw her first post, and the follow up post. She hits the nail on the head of how this feels. Not being able to to open up (more than a minute or two) to friends or family because it’s not like they can help
Story of my life. I know the worst thing to do is to withdraw but honestly dealing with peoples nonsense and tomfoolery just makes everything worse.
1.) She’s a joy, and I love her album.
2.) the best thing you can do for chronically depressed people is provide a good support structure. If you see them withdrawing, check up on them, talk to them, make sure they’re getting basic needs cared for (eating, hygiene, cleaning the house). The worst you can do to somebody feeling isolated is actually let them be alone.
I adore lizzo. Her music is a cure to my depressed feelings. So happy to be seeing her live in September.
When I need to get pumped-up, her song Good As Hell works every time! Hope she continues to reach out and feels good as hell soon. Crazy talented woman with a body poz message. Depression sucks.
“baby, how you doing’? FEELING GOOD AS HELL”
My very favourite line in that song and the thing that helps me change the channel when the dark is creeping in around the edges.
FELLING GOOD AS HELL, and I love Lizzo for reminding me
she’s so awesome. she used to live here and i saw her once at a diner a few years ago – she’s stunning in person! i don’t know how much she claims us anymore, but we certainly claim her.
Gosh, I so needed to read this story today. I woke up (rather stayed up all night) feeling exactly the way she described in her first post. And hearing someone else articulate what I’m feeling is comforting – makes me feel less alone. I’m sure Lizzie’s post will offer some comfort (can’t think of a better word at the moment) to countless of people suffering from depression and who are feeling just like she is.
Carol, it is the worst when those thoughts/feelings keep you up all night! I have been there. I send you hugs, and hope your day goes well and you can sleep well tonight.
I love her music, and love her whole presence. She’s talented and just fantastic. Knowing that she struggles with depression will I hope help others who listen to her music and admire her feel better about their own struggles.
I’ve never had depression, but had undiagnosed anxiety for years. After having my second child just over a year ago, I slammed into a wall of post-partum depression that was totally unexpected (I never had it with my first). I didn’t even know that’s what was happening despite having read about it. To me, it just felt like I was failing as a mom–it couldn’t possibly be depression, because the real problem was me. Me not being better at breastfeeding, me not being better at just about everything. After all, this wasn’t my first kid, I should have this all down pat.
When I finally got a diagnosis from my obgyn, I felt even worse. A year later and I’m still struggling with it, still feeling a little ashamed of what feels like weakness.
Just hearing about others who are dealing with it makes me feel a little less miserable.
I’m loving your contributions, Quimby!
Lizzo is everything. Her music and outlook has even helped this 44 y o lady with c/ptsd.
When she’s shining, everybody’s gonna shine! Blame it on her juice, baby!
I have a ticket to see her live on my eldest son’s 21st birthday 🎂 in July. I’m absolutely thrilled 😁👑😎🎶✌️🍀🖖🏽🖖🏽🖖🏽
I absolutely adore Lizzo and she deserves all the good things in life.
LIZZO!!!
You will never see this comment, I kno. But I have to say: we NEED you! Please keep telling us all that the struggle is worth it! (I believe it is, but sometimes it is tough to keep the faith.) <3
Here to say what lots of others are saying, I ADORE Lizzo!! Love her music, her energy, her freedom to be herself. She is amazing, and truly a bright light!
Also, I love that she is talking about mental health struggles, it helps to remove the stigma.
Also, I have Lizzo Envy of the other posters that are going to see her!! That is going to be such a great time! 🙂
I never heard of her before, but now I’ll check her stuff. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
“There’s no one I can talk to because there’s nothing anyone can do about it,” is the realest way to describe depression. Nobody can do anything about it. It’s something that you have to deal with yourself.
As someone diagnosed with several mental illnesses, I think therapy and support groups are very important. And I know this will get me crucified, but I think they are more important than medication. If they work for you, that’s great, but there’s a lot of shilling for medication out there and the side-effects and costs get worse every day.
I wish going to a mental health profesional didn’t carry a stigma and wasn’t so damn expensive.