Michelle Obama Reveals She is in Therapy to Navigate Next Phase of Life
Former First Lady Michelle Obama has spoken candidly about her current life, revealing that she is in therapy to help her transition into the next phase of her life. The 60-year-old, who has been married to former US President Barack Obama since 1992, shared her experiences on The Jay Shetty Podcast, according to a report from The Independent.
Ms. Obama, who shares two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, with Mr. Obama, explained that she is navigating the challenges of being an "empty nester," a term used to describe the feelings of loss experienced by parents when their children leave home for the first time as adults. Malia Obama graduated from Harvard in 2021 and works as a TV script writer, while Sasha graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023 and is pursuing higher education.
According to The Independent, Ms. Obama stated that she is in therapy to help her cope with the significant changes in her life, saying: "At this phase of my life, I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning, you know? I’m 60 years old, I’ve finished a really hard thing in my life with my family intact, I’m an empty nester, my girls are in – you know, they’ve been launched."
The former First Lady emphasized that she now has the freedom to make choices that are solely hers, without having to consider the needs of her family or her role in public service. "I now don’t have the excuse of, ‘Well, my kids need this’ or ‘My husband needs that’ or ‘The country needs that,’" she said. "So, I’m getting that tune-up for this next phase because I believe this is a whole ‘nother phase in life for me. And I now have the wisdom to know—let me go get some coaching while I’m doing it."
Ms. Obama’s comments come after she addressed rumours that she and Mr. Obama were getting divorced. The rumours circulated after Mr. Obama attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration alone. However, Ms. Obama was quick to dispel the rumours, stating that she was simply making choices that were right for her.
As The Independent reported, Ms. Obama also spoke about the societal expectations placed on women, saying: "That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with disappointing people. I mean, so much so that this year people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing." She added that women often face negative labelling when they make choices that do not fit into societal stereotypes.
Ms. Obama encouraged others to consider therapy, saying: "I am an advocate of it. Everybody needs to find their form of it, the best way they can." Her comments highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support during significant life transitions.
In conclusion, Michelle Obama’s decision to speak publicly about her therapy sessions and her experiences as an empty nester serves as a reminder that even high-profile individuals face challenges in their personal lives. As reported by The Independent, her comments offer a refreshing perspective on the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support during significant life changes.
