A lot of Selenators are pretty bummed out that Selena Gomez is taking a break to focus on her health.
The 24-year-old singer, who want public with her Lupus diagnosis in an interview with Billboard last year, announced her plans to take some time off Tuesday. In a statement given to E! News, Selena explained she was suffering from some "side effects of Lupus"—including "anxiety, panic attacks and depression"—which need to be addressed head-on.
Selena thanked her fans for their support and understanding about her break, saying, "I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off."
"You know how special you are to me," Selena reassured her fans, "but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best."
And who, really, can fault her for doing exactly that? Selena, and anyone else battling a chronic disease or illness of any kind, is smart to prioritize her health and wellbeing. It's unwise to try and power through something if your mind and body are telling you to slow down. Celebrity or not, taking care of yourself is hugely important, and failing to do so properly can have a detrimental effect across all areas in your life.
Will Selena's fans miss her while she takes some time for herself? Sure, but they'll be OK without new Instagram posts for a while. More importunity, Selena will get back to her happiest, healthiest self—and that's the version of Selena her fans want to see. That's a win for Selena, obviously, and a win Selenators, too. Taking the time off to get back to 100 percent now will benefit everyone in the long run.
There's an added bonus, too, in Selena going public with her reasons for needing some time off. As she said in her statement (first given to People), "I know I am not alone, and by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues."
Take care of yourself: A PSA from Selena.