Selena Gomez was dubbed the "Queen of Instagram." She was the most-followed celebrity on the social media platform back in 2016.
But soon after that, she left the internet for four and a half years.
In a feat that many Millennials of her generation may find it impossible, Gomez felt that doing so has changed her life completely, and has made her feel a lot better.
In an interview with Good Morning America, she said that:
"I understand how powerful the internet is, and in so many ways it's done the best things for the world. But for me, I get to my news that is actually important I get through people in my life."
The singer/actress/producer, who has more than 300 million followers on Instagram, has been outspoken about her health, both mental and physical.
Gomez was diagnosed with lupus sometime between 2012 and early 2014. It was in 2017, when she shared that she had received a kidney transplant from actress and friend Francia Raisa. Then in 2020, she shared that she nearly died during kidney transplant when she needed a new artery built from vein in her leg.
“I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar,” Gomez wrote at the time. “I didn’t want it to be in photos, so I wore things that would cover it up. Now, more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through [...] and I’m proud of that.”
Also in 2020, Gomez also shared that she is bipolar, and said that she had previously received treatment at a Boston-area psychiatric hospital.
"After years of going through a lot of different things, I realized that I was bipolar," said Gomez at the time, noting that "more information [...] actually helps me. It doesn’t scare me once I know it."
She recalled that when she was younger, she was afraid of thunderstorms.
Her mother bought her many books about thunderstorms, and told her to educate herself about it so she won't be afraid of it anymore.
Gomez said that the method worked.
And that was what she did to face her struggles when she grew up.
With all that she have been through, more information and by getting off the grid simply made her feel happier.
"It made me really happy because I started to have a relationship with myself, and I think that’s the best part. Like, I’ve probably been the happiest I’ve ever been. My mom knows.”"
Gomez has been open about her struggles with both anxiety and depression.
As a celebrity since young, the pressure forced her to pursue therapy in her early twenties and also spent time in treatment facilities.
This was when she realized that her issues were only exacerbated by her life under the spotlight.
Becoming healthier meant finding ways to remove herself as much as possible from that lifestyle.
"I can’t believe that I’m where I am mentally, just because of how I took the necessary steps in order to kind of remove myself from that […] because it’s just not normal,” Gomez said of fame.
"Growing up in the spotlight has definitely taught me so much,” Gomez stated in one other occasion.
It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Gomez took a break from Instagram.
Back when she reached 100 million Instagram followers, Gomez said she "sort of freaked out." Since then, she has taken several extended breaks from social media, partly in part to negative comments.