Bella Hadid Gets Dressed for Her Mental Health
While most of the world is firmly dedicated to athleisure and loungewear, Bella Hadid hasn't been shy about leaving her house wearing out-there 'fits and eye-catching combinations, including rave-adjacent accessories and throwback looks. In a new interview with WSJ. Magazine, Hadid opened up about how her clothes — and the process of getting dressed — are helping her get a handle on her mental health.
Hadid noted that she hasn't used a stylist for about two years and that for a while, the process of getting dressed and facing the world felt unbearable. She explained that she was "in such a weird place mentally that it was really complicated for me to get out of the house and put an outfit together, especially with the anxiety of [paparazzi] being outside and all that."
Now, she notes, she's not as concerned about presenting herself in a certain way or ensuring that she looks perfect for paparazzi photos. Instead, she explains, putting together an outfit is something she does for fun.
"In the last year, it was really important for me to learn that even if people talk about my style or if they like it or if they don't, it doesn't matter, because it's my style," she said. "When I leave the house in the morning, what I think about is: Does this make me happy? Do I feel good in this and do I feel comfortable?"
Photo by MEGA/GC Images
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Hadid also reflected on her Instagram post from last November, which included photos of her crying and a note about her struggles with "mental and physical pain." She hoped that the post would let other people know that they're not alone — and she says that people have reached out to tell her that they've sought help since reading her message.
"I would have really depressive episodes and my mom or my doctor would ask how I was and instead of having to respond in text, I would just send them a photo," she said. "It was the easiest thing for me to do at the time because I was never able to explain how I was feeling."
Hadid also shared that she still has trouble with anxiety and other issues, something else she wants other people to know. It's a process for her, she finished, and she wants everyone to realize that things don't always happen quickly.
"I do have good days. Today is a good day. My brain fog is feeling better, I don't feel depressed. I don't have as much anxiety as I usually do. But tomorrow I could wake up and [be] the complete opposite. That's why I get so overwhelmed," she finished. "Walking outside, being able to remember there are so many people going through things and have similar patterns to me, it makes me feel better. I don't know if that's not what people want on Instagram, and that's fine. I don't have to be on Instagram forever. I feel like real is the new real, and that's what's important to me."
