This past year, Bella Hadid’s absence from major events like the Met Gala, Paris Fashion Week, and Cannes Film Festival caught the attention of fans. On Sunday, she confirmed the reason behind her absence, and opened up about her ongoing battle with Lyme disease in a heartfelt Instagram post, “Living in this state, worsening with time and work while trying to make myself, my family, and the people who support me, proud, had taken a toll on me in ways I can’t really explain,” she wrote in the caption. The accompanying images of medical records painted a picture of her journey.
This serves as a stark reminder that social media often portrays an idealized version of people’s lives, while many individuals battle mental illnesses and chronic diseases behind the scenes. It’s essential not to take our health and blessings for granted, as there are others silently struggling in life.
Hadid shared that she has returned to better health after undergoing extensive treatment. Reflecting on her experience, she stated “If I had to go through all of this again, to get here, to this exact moment I’m in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again.” Acknowledging that the universe works in painful and beautiful ways, and assuring those facing struggles that it gets better.
Having been diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, Hadid has bravely spoken about her battles with the bacterial infection, as well as periods of depression and anxiety. She revealed the hidden pain she endured while working, waking up every morning in tears and suffering alone. Despite the hardships, she would put on a brave face, cry during lunch breaks, and repeat the cycle day after day.
Hadid emphasized that her challenging journey to improve her health has ultimately been transformative. Expressing gratitude for the patience of the companies she works with, her supporters, and the people who continued to check in on her. Regarding her return to the runway, she stated “I’ll be back when I’m ready,” stating how much she misses and loves her fans.
In 2019, Hadid opened up about her depression, stating “I would like to add that everything you see online or through social media is not always what it seems,” she wrote. “The happiness we create online while being sad in real life makes no sense, but sometimes it just seems easier to live within your sadness rather than talk about it.”
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