Adele

Known for her powerful voice, emotional ballads, armful of Grammys, and her ability to seamlessly drift in and out of the spotlight in maintaining her private life, Adele has sweeped the music charts by storm since she released “Rolling in the Deep” in 2011. However, after briefly trading the spotlight for privacy following the birth of her son, Angelo, Adele has recently opened up about her struggle with postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. Feelings of extreme sadness, depression, or anxiety are common with postpartum depression, and can inhibit one’s ability to care for themselves, their child, or other loved ones. In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2016, Adele discusses how following the birth of Angelo, “I [Adele] was obsessed with my child. I felt very inadequate; I felt like I'd made the worst decision of my life” and that she struggled with feelings of inadequacy and disdain for her new role as a mother. She adds that she was also very reluctant to discuss it with anyone, and initially rejected her partner, Simon Konecki’s, suggestion that she spend time with and confide in other women.

However, Adele eventually decided to spend an afternoon per week away from her son to take care of herself. When questioned by friends if she felt bad for doing so, Adele responded that she did feel bad, “but not as bad as I’d feel if I didn’t do it” and that “They thought everyone would think they were a bad mom, and it's not the case. It makes you a better mom if you give yourself a better time.” She emphasizes the importance of taking time for yourself, and that self-care helped her work through her depression. She also found help by confiding in four other friends who were also struggling with postpartum depression. Although Adele sought help through the support of friends in similar situations, she admits that she still continues to struggle with her depression. She told Vanity Fair that she is still “very available to depression” and that “I [Adele] can slip in and out of it quite easily.” Her struggle with postpartum depression has also affected Adele’s decision to have more children in the future. “I’m too scared. I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son, and it frightened me,” she told Vanity Fair. However, Adele doesn't fail to mention that her son, Angelo, already has a sister through Konecki’s daughter from another relationship, which helps her to feel justified and content with her decision.  

Adele continues to raise awareness of postpartum depression. She recently shared the story of her close friend’s diagnosis of postpartum psychosis on Instagram, and now speaks openly about her own struggles with depression. She urgers mothers to talk about how they are feeling, and the importance of being open with your emotions “because in some cases it could save yours or someone else’s life.”