The pop star, 37, stressed the importance of speaking out about her emotions after being diagnosed with early-stage cancer
Jessie J has opened up about the tears and panic attacks she’s experienced amid her ongoing health battle. While the pop star is determined to remain positive, she said yesterday was by far the ‘worst day’ she’s faced since being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.
Posting to her Instagram Story last night, Jessie said: “Honesty. Had my worst day so far yesterday since my diagnosis and the busiest three months I have had in years. Work. Toddler. Cancer. Life etc had my mind.
“Panic attacks/tears/big fears/anger/overwhelm. Bad. And you know what helped?” In a subsequent post, she continued: “I ate a corn on the cob. Turns out it’s extremely hard to panic or cry while eating one. Highly recommend.”
Despite the tough day, Jessie stressed the importance of speaking out about emotions and being authentic amidst personal challenges. In doing so, she believes you may learn to better cope with the problem and heal over time.
This morning, she continued: “It’s key to acknowledge fear, anger, sadness, panic, overwhelm and let it come up and come out. Holding it in won’t make it go away. In any challenging situation in life.
“So, when I posted what I did yesterday about my current challenge in life, also while making light of the situation. That was one day in 10 weeks that I just lost it and was completely drowned in all the negative and bad feelings any cancer journey can bring.
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“Which is healthy and needed. [In my opinion]. I say this because I have had a lot of people since I posted that say to me things like, ‘Don’t think about the negative’ and ‘To beat this you have to stay strong’, ‘Good thoughts only’ – and don’t get me wrong, I know all are meant with well intention and love.
“But it’s sparked me thinking about how interesting it is in what we individually see as being strong is. I have always advocated for being real. Honest in your feelings. We cannot heal what we don’t acknowledge etc.
“Just don’t unpack your suitcase and live in it. Or let it define you… So I will cry. I will be scared. I will panic. I will feel all of it for a minute or even a full day. And then eat a corn or listen to a song that lifts me up.
“Or laugh with a friend on [FaceTime]. And then go and be Mum, and go to work and show up and be what I feel 90% of the time. Strong, fearless, healthy, and make some jokes about it all because that’s my way. But I will not ignore the 10% that is fear and the sadness.”
In a separate post last week, Jessie also emphasised that while ‘cancer sucks in any form’, she is eager to remain hopeful and is holding on to the word ‘early’. The 37-year-old is due to undergo surgery following her performance at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball, which is taking place on June 16.
“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me,” she said last week. “I just want to just let you guys know it wasn’t something I’d planned, but yeah.”
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