While attending Thursday’s Wondermind Mental Fitness Summit in honor of World Mental Health Day, Selena Gomez revealed that she doesn’t sleep in her bedroom, per AOL.
“The Only Murders in the Building” star, 32, explained to the audience that her room was “associated” with “a really dark time.”
“I’m a little bit different than my mom, because I spent too much time in my bedroom that I actually don’t even sleep in my bedroom anymore, because I associate it with such a really dark time,” expressed Gomez.
“Being anxious is so debilitating sometimes, and yeah, I didn’t want to leave my bed for years, and part of it was I wasn’t doing the work,” she continued. “I am a very anxious person. It’s kind of like doomsday, and I think having a positive conversation with yourself, even if that sounds weird, it’s really impactful.”
Gomez then walked the audience through her methods to calm down in high-intensity situations.
“Like before I step out of the car, and there’s going to be lots of noises and stuff — if that’s the case, I’m not saying that’s every day — but I have to breathe,” the Disney alum added. “And I have to say, ‘All of this is a gift, and I may not be in the mood for this, [but] every time I see someone and end up making them smile, [it] always just makes my day no matter how I’m feeling.’”
The “Calm Down” singer also discussed the importance of having a close “inner circle.”
“I don’t have a lot of people in my life, [but] I know who my inner circle is. I have to talk things out,” Gomez admitted. “And I have a therapist too, but it’s also nice to have people around you who will just listen to you.”
She noted: “There is a freedom in letting go of whatever it is that’s keeping you stuck and that lump in your throat.”
During the panel discussion, Gomez also reflected on her 2022 documentary “My Mind & Me” where she opened up about her bipolar disorder diagnosis and living with lupus.
One major thing that has helped the Rare Beauty founder is taking time off of social media, but at the same time, she confessed she “had to stop trying to defend” herself.
“Because I should not be apologetic for being honest, for saying I’m not good, and that’s not nice what you said,” Gomez said, before adding that her mother taught her “that the noise is going to be there constantly.”
“But it’s about finding that moment where I actually physically say, ‘No, I am a good person, I’m kind, I work really hard, and I’m grateful, and I love all the little things in life,’ and I need that reminder.”
However, Gomez noted, “I’m not going to lie, it kind of hurts. I’m definitely not one of the people who can kind of ignore it.”
“I’m just speaking on my generation’s behalf because it’s wild how inhumane people can be with their words and things they would probably never say in person either. It just hurts.”