By Lucy Gardner
TW: This article talks about mental health, Bipolar I Disorder, and hospitalization.
The start of daylight savings marks the start of seasonal depression, as well as the beginning of finals season. This stressful period stretching from the end of November to mid-December consists of all-nighters at Gelman, an increase in class attendance, caffeine, and—of course—the occasional breakdown.
Many college students forget to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally during this stressful period. The pressure to boost that B+ to an A and ace a final exam can cause students to forget to eat, overlook exercise, and self-isolate from friends.
These harmful consequences only exacerbate the heightened stress students feel during this final stretch of the school year as many become frustrated with themselves for neglecting self-care. Finding the perfect balance between studying and taking care of yourself is already a difficult lifestyle task, but it becomes an even greater challenge when you’re constantly under pressure to be productive 24/7.
I’ve struggled with this task for quite some time. I would beat myself up for not completing everything on my to-do list, placing the blame on the one-hour nap I took or the episode of The Crown I watched as a break.
I thought I would go through the usual self-loathing process when I watched the new documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, before bed instead of reading an extra chapter of my psychology textbook.
However, I went to bed content with my decision to take some time for myself instead of filling my head with negative self-talk, and it’s all thanks to this documentary.
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me follows Gomez’s six-year mental health journey as she struggles with depression, anxiety, Bipolar I Disorder, and her battle with lupus—a chronic autoimmune disease—all while balancing fame and stardom.
The documentary shows behind-the-scenes clips of Gomez from 2015 to 2021, displaying the highs and lows of her public life. The film details her 2016 Revival Tour, presenting concert clips of Gomez smiling out at thousands of fans juxtaposed with her crying backstage and her decision to cancel the remainder of her tour for mental health purposes. The footage is raw and real, showing the burdens that fame, youth, and high expectations carry.
While the lows depicted in the documentary are very emotional, such as her hospitalization and life-saving kidney surgery, the highs that are showcased are just as moving. The documentary shows footage from Gomez’s philanthropic trip to Kenya and her return to her hometown in Grand Prairie, Texas. Each trip provided the pop star with temporary peace away from the Hollywood chaos.
The documentary also features her newest single, which the movie is titled, “My Mind & Me.” The song encapsulates the film and its purpose beautifully. Gomez expresses her thoughts on sharing her mental health struggles with the public combined with the fear of opening up about such a vulnerable topic. Ultimately, the silver lining of helping others who are going through similar struggles motivated Gomez to share her journey, overcoming her fear of judgment and of worrying others, singing:
Don’t wanna add to concern I know they already got
But if I pull back the curtain, then maybe somebody who’s hurtin’
Will be a little more certain they’re not the only one lost
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me not only brought me to tears but also reminded me of the importance of slowing down, taking a deep breath, and giving myself a moment of grace. The documentary conveyed the importance of learning when to put yourself first and to prioritize your physical and mental health, whether that means taking that 30-minute power nap after class or canceling a world tour.That being said, I urge everyone to watch Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me and to remind themselves that their health and mental well-being is far more important than any final exam in the grand scheme of life.
