Singer Michelle Williams Encouraging Ultimate Self-Care with Her Book "Checking In".
You might know Michelle Williams as being just one-third of the Grammy award winning music group Destiny's Child or you may know her from her solo gospel career. No matter where you know her from you have probably heard of her sweet spirit and her struggles with mental health.
In 2018, just weeks after her history making performance with Beyonce' and Kelly Rowland at Coachella, Williams, suffering from severe depression, checked herself into a treatment facility for help. This was something that no one had ever publicly done and, of course, the world had plenty to say about it. The most shocking thing that came from her admission was the influx of love and support from everyone around the world from entertainers to stay-at-home mothers.
Just one year later, in 2019, Williams announced that her engagement to Chad Johnson, a sports chaplain/life coach, was off ending their reality show "Chad Loves Michelle" and she abruptly pulled out of her Broadway commitment to "Once On This Island" after performing only three shows. Many speculated that Williams was spiraling out of control as she disappeared from social media and the public eye. It was during that time that Williams went into what she called her "cave" to do some extensive work on her mental health.
That work proved to be extremely fruitful. The singer and actress has not only emerged happier and healthier than before but, she has also emerged as an author. Williams' new book "Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life" (Harper Collins Publishing) is an account on how the stigma of mental health almost drove her to end her own life, even plan her own funeral, in an attempt to just make things easier. Williams talks about the beginning of her singing career, as a background singer for Monica, and how, by happenstance, she lucked upon an audition to join Destiny's Child. Williams said "When I look back at that time in my life, I can so clearly see the fingerprint of God on the map of my journey" adding later how it made her wonder how she "could ever fall into seasons of disconnection and doubt" in her faith.
Williams talks about the fear that often paralyzed her in her career and made a statement so profound we absolutely had to share it. She says "any time you make a decision out of fear, you risk whatever reward could have been earned from choosing courage." If that doesn't inspire you to start taking chances and to step out of your comfort zone, nothing will.
If you're someone who has struggled with anxiety, depression or have ever felt like you were just lost or overwhelmed, then this book is for you. Let Michelle Williams give you hope for your situation by sharing how she made it through hers.
"Checking In" is available for pre-order on Amazon. The book becomes available on May 25, 2021.
