Opinion

Marie Louise McConville: Grass is not always greener on the other side

American model Bella Hadid (25) has been speaking about her battle with mental health issues. Picture by Alamy/PA
American model Bella Hadid (25) has been speaking about her battle with mental health issues. Picture by Alamy/PA American model Bella Hadid (25) has been speaking about her battle with mental health issues. Picture by Alamy/PA

THAT'S the thing about the grass on the other side – it may look greener and more lush but chances are, it's fake.

If we're lucky, it's one of the lessons we learn as we get older – that things are never what they seem.

Some years ago, I had a pal who I just envied.

Beautiful and smart, she was the first to get married and have a baby and, despite being happy for her, there were times I too wished I had 'it all'.

Years later, when her marriage unfortunately broke down, it emerged that her life behind closed doors had been very different to the perfection I had imagined and I felt so guilty I had never spotted the signs of her unhappiness.

And the same can be said for the famous faces living among us.

Their lives may look simply spectacular to people like you and me but in reality, it's not all designer handbags and big pay cheques.

I was really surprised this week when I read an interview with American model Bella Hadid, who gave an honest account of what her jet-set life is really like.

At the age of just 25, she has made 27 appearances on international Vogue magazine covers and walks global runways, so she must have a perfect life – or so we thought.

In an interview with US Vogue, Bella has revealed she has suffered from depression, anxiety and burnout among other things during her rise to fame.

In fact, she once spent two weeks at a treatment facility in Tennessee after suffering exhaustion due to professional pressure.

Speaking about her experience, the young woman said: "For three years while I was working, I would wake up every morning hysterical, in tears, alone.

"I would go to work, cry at lunch in my little green room, finish my day, go to whatever random little hotel I was in for the night, cry again, wake up in the morning, and do the same thing."

The star is now on a mission to de-stigmatise mental health issues.

"I feel like I would be doing a disservice to myself if I didn’t speak about something such as mental health, because that’s pretty much what I’ve been going through for the past five years very intensely.

"Now we’re here and we’re good, but it took a while."

That's the thing about life, things are never what they seem.

From a distance, Bella Hadid has the world at her perfect feet but in reality, behind closed doors, she has been fighting her own battles.

And many of us are in the same boat.

Life has been difficult in recent times and with world events the way they are and ongoing financial worries, people are under increasing pressure.

Please keep an eye out for each other.

A simple "Hello, how are you?" can make all the difference and costs nothing.

Let's all make an effort to be a little kinder. What's the worst that can happen?

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Have you heard the best news of 2022 so far?

Primark is to open its 10th store in Northern Ireland in Craigavon later this year.

Our favourite fashion giant is set to open a 30,800 sq ft outlet in the former Debenhams unit at the Rushmere Shopping Centre.

A spokesperson for Primark said: "Doors will open later this year and we are excited to be creating a new shopping experience for our customers in the area."

You know what this means ladies – even more jammies, jammies, jammies.

Fantastic news.

We can't wait.

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There's no denying life as we know it has become particularly difficult in recent times, especially for mums.

From having to work from home and also home-school – a truly draining experience – to having to raise a family amid a global pandemic, it's a tough job.

Personally, I feel like women carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, even when we are supported by the most amazing of husbands or partners.

This week, I came across the results of a Bupa survey, which I have to say, did not at all shock me.

Almost 63 per cent of women who took part in the survey revealed they are exhausted because of 'supermum' pressure', while one in five say it is affecting their mental health.

Unsurprisingly, social media plays a big role, with almost half of the women saying celebrity posts and social posts from other mums made them feel they had to live up to unrealistic standards.

Parenting expert Suzie Hayman has reminded mums of some ways they can beat the pressure, including being more analytical about social media and enjoying some down time.

It is also suggested women spread the chores more, communicate their feelings more and, most importantly, remind themselves that `You are good enough'.

Come on ladies, we're awesome.