Selena hasn't hidden how dark this time was for her, but for the first time she talks about her experience in the facility in Tennessee where she stayed for 90 days with no mobile phone and in the company of a small group of other women:
"You have no idea how incredible it felt to just be with six girls, real people who couldn't give two sh*ts about who I was, who were fighting for their lives. It was one of the hardest things I've done, but it was the best thing I've done."
While there Selly was introduced to dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), a treatment used to improve communication, help regulate emotions, and teach mindfulness, and it was the breakthrough moment! Selly now sees a therapist and keeps the practice up five days a week:
"DBT has completely changed my life. I wish more people would talk about therapy. We girls, we're taught to be almost too resilient, to be strong and sexy and cool and laid-back, the girl who's down. We also need to feel allowed to fall apart."
Of course, Selena is in a much better place now and is back in the studio (plus dating The Weeknd, but that's an added bonus). Selly knows how lucky she is too, but has confessed she finds peace knowing the wild ride will be over one day:
“For a change, it feels like I don’t have to be holding my breath and waiting for somebody to judge a piece of work that I’m doing. I’m not eager to chase a moment. I don’t think there’s a moment for me to chase. Look, I love what I do, and I’m aware of how lucky I am, but—how can I say this without sounding weird? I just really can’t wait for people to forget about me.”
You are our actual hero Selena <3
If you or a friend is struggling with similar feelings, there is help at hand. You can speak confidentially to a trained counsellor 24 hours a day at headspace.org.au or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.
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