One month after revealing the harrowing story of a drugging, abduction and rape that caused her to go into hiding for nearly a decade, singer Duffy encouraged fans on Tuesday (May 12) to share their own experiences.
In an emotional post in which she wrote about feeling “liberated” by talking about her trauma, Duffy sympathized with the difficulties facing the COVID-19 first responders, using the occasion to reach out and see how others are doing.
“This evening, I can’t sleep … I have the comfort of my bed and the health of all my family, to take shelter in, but many do not,” she wrote. “Health workers face fatigue, with such uncertainty ahead, people are queuing at empty food banks and the landscape is changing. You may or may not have read my words, recently. I found them to be liberating. And so I would sincerely like to know, how are you?”
As countries around the world slowly begin to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown amid uncertainty about whether it’s safe to venture out again without a vaccine or any reliable treatment, Duffy noted the anxiety some of us are feeling. “Tonight, some of us grieve the easing of enforced lockdown – and some of us appreciate it. The sense of security found in a common goal, a shared goal, is changing and could now stand to divide, which it must not, above all, in adapting to a new uncertainty,” she said.
“And so, I want to create a post where you can talk openly about how you are doing. I invite you to write here, if you would like that.”
Fans definitely appreciated the opportunity to open up, with dozens offering up their own stories. “Finding out that you have a half sister out there and waiting for this Covid to be over and meet my sister,” wrote one, with another saying the Duffy’s music “gave me such an uplifting spirit while I went through my darkest moments in my life. Thank you, Duffy! I love you !”
Check out a few other emotional fan comments below:
“This is beautiful Duffy, we are here with you. These are indeed some interesting times we live in but I guess everything relies on perspective and how you adjust your lens in order to get a better look at the bigger picture. I feel like times like these is where we all really come together and hold each other to just get over that line. We need to always have that light of hope and have faith that things do eventually get better, until then we must hold tight and push until we see the sunshine again.”
” thank you sincerely for your personal sharing and outreach. This trauma nurse is concerned, but remains optimistic. Personally recovering from lung surgery, let’s hope the worst is behind us.”
“I am afraid. Here in Brazil things are moving towards dark times. The president disdains the pandemic and threatens the nation with a possible return to dictatorship. We are afraid.”
“Emotions have been a rollercoaster lately. I’ve been using comedy as therapy. I’m grateful that I have not been directly effected by this, but feel for everyone it has effected. ❤️Thank you for this! Love you Duffy!”
“I think I’m losing my mind in this pandemic. But my mental health had seen worse times I guess? Sending much love to everyone who’s struggling right now! “
“I’ve been feeling a multitude of mixed feelings. This quarantine has been positive in the sense that I have gotten much needed rest from the hectic pace of work and the Neverending ‘go go go’ rhythm I was marching to. On the other hand, while being aware that people suffer from misfortune on any given day, knowing that especially now they are struggling even more makes me both thankful for my fortune but extremely sad for others. On top of that, the uncertainty of when some type of normal or new normal will occur and things that seem so far away we will be able to once again enjoy. Still, I remain hopeful of a brighter tomorrow because there is ALWAYS a brighter tomorrow.”
“I’m a care worker. The husband is a essential worker. We have a 3year old. Life is normal as far as work is concerned. But I haven’t seen my parents since 18th march. I’m home schooling/nursery work. Full time mom duties/ house wife duties and full time work. Its hard and overwhelming. I’m physically and emotionally exhausted in all honesty.”
“I’ve been going to the office for two hours a day, three days a week, and it’s helped me shake feelings of loneliness I didn’t expect as a self-proclaimed loner and introvert. I’m actually in a better place financially right now than I was before the pandemic. I still miss the interpersonal connections I made with friends, although I get to “see” some of them on social media.”
“We’re doing well here in New Zealand but we do worry about many other countries due to the seriousness. Stay safe! Long battle ahead.”
“I’m doing well, still working tho, and business at work is better than ever , which is weird? Kinda frustrating but I get it, a lot of people don’t know how to handle being forced to stay home for a while.”
“I find it very hard to talk about my struggles. It’s like if I say it and hear it, it becomes too real to grapple with. Sometimes, a sense of hopelessness engulfs me. Will try to emerge from this mess with some positivity and lots of gratitude. I hope you keep singing. Love your voice!”
“Normally, I would say fine, but tomorrow I find out if I lost my job or not. I had a very rough childhood and I’ve struggled with mental health my whole life. With all this Covid going on, I made a terrible decision of walking in the wrong door to a building and not being screened before entering. I mean it when I say it was a terrible decision. I don’t know why I did it. So my boss said she wants to let me go but she wants to think about it. I’ve been waiting 6 days and anxiety has taken over my life. Losing my job could cost my family everything. So stupid. Such a dumb mistake. And so tomorrow I find out and I’m exhausted from anxiety. So much my arms and legs hurt. I’ve lost some weight. I’ve tried things for anxiety. I have tried therapy, I’m on sertraline, and I tried to have electric shock therapy but my insurance wouldn’t pay for it. And now it’s most likely cost me my job. It feels unfair. I know it’s my fault, ultimately. I’m scared of the future. I don’t believe I can find a job that pays near what I make, ive been there almost 15 years. Starting over at 45 is scary. I hate this. It seems like such a dumb thing. Just go get another job. That’s what I will do. And hope we don’t lost our home, car and everything else. Anyway, I pray you’re doing better. I imagine it will always be with you. Please take care of your mental health. It can get worse and harder.”
