Kaitlyn Bristowe is detailing how a Care Bear is a reminder of how far she’s come in her mental health journey.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the former Bachelorette posted a photo on Instagram of herself cuddling with a pink Care Bear with a rainbow on his stomach, aptly named Cheer Bear. The 39-year-old shared how the bear — gifted by her stepdad — played a big part in helping her get her mental health back on track.
“Seeing this care bear on my bed in Mexico, compelled me to share,” she captioned her post. “For those who don’t know. I went through a really hard time and hit rock bottom in my late twenties. I had no money, no job, no education, no home, no credit, I had lost myself and got dumped by someone I thought I’d marry. I relied on him emotionally and financially. I also had never processed the death of a best friend.”
“I had to move in with my mom and Rob when I was 27 and there I got addicted to Valium,” she continued. “The dr gave me a suicide assessment. I didn’t want to live. I wanted to numb myself and not wake up. I was full of shame.”
Bristowe said her stepdad got her the Care Bear and she slept with it every night while her mother would play YouTube videos for healing as she slept. Although her family reminded her how loved she was, “selfishly I didn’t think it mattered.”
Shortly after, the reality star said she started her therapy journey.
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“Now I sleep with it every time I stay with them, still 12 years later,” she said. “My family and therapy saved my life. Something as simple as a little care bear now reminds me of my fight to get my life back, how many baby steps it took, and how things will always get better.”
She concluded her post, “I’ve never been more grateful for where I’m at in my life. This bear is almost like my little anchor. Maybe if you’re going through a tough time, find yourself an anchor, and over the years you can reflect on your resilience. It always gets better. I’m so glad I’m here.”
Bristowe then encouraged her followers to ask questions and share their own stories in the comments section, as a way to connect with others.
The Dancing with the Stars champion later reposted the image on her Instagram Stories, writing, “I cried writing this and now I’m crying reading comments. You are so loved no matter where you’re at in life. Do not forget that.”
Bristowe added in the comments that she can’t forget to give a shout out to her best friends and the love they’ve shown her over the years.
“I am just so grateful to the people in my life. Including this digital family,” she said.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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