Colton Underwood.Photo: JC Olivera/WireImage
Colton Underwoodis looking back on a tough time in his life.
On Instagram Friday, the formerBachelorposted a shirtless photo of himself standing on a paddleboard as his dog rested beside him. Underwood, 30, revealed that while the image is one of his “favorites for many reasons,” he indicated that it’s “not for the reasons many would think.”
“The reason I like it so much is because at this time in my life, I was at my lowest and holding on to a secret that felt more like a ticking time bomb,” he said, referencing how he once concealed his sexuality.
Underwood explained that he was sharing this personal story in order to help others who may be going through tough times.
“It’s a reminder to everyone that no matter how dark and traumatic it seems for you right now, it will get better,” he wrote. “Ask for help, take care of your brain and check on your friends/family. May is mental health month and I want to continue to share my lessons learned and small victories. ♥️.”
“I went through a major mental health crisis myself. i felt isolated, misunderstood, and scared,” he wrote, in part, in the caption. “the support and conversations I needed to have needed to be in person, and that wasn’t an option.”
“if I could go back, i would tell my younger self that the brain is very good at playing tricks on you,” he continued. “very rarely are you in a situation that is as extreme as your brain likes to play it out to be. i had so much anxiety as a kid and would always play out the worst-case scenarios in my head.”
“whatever you are going through, you’re not alone,” he added.
Underwoodcame out as gayin April 2021 during aGood Morning Americainterview. Before that, he hadn’t acknowledged to himself that he was gay — even as he tried to find love on multiple shows within theBachelorfranchise.
TheBeyond the Edgecontender picked frontrunnerCassie Randolphduring hisBachelorseason in 2019. After the pairannounced their splitin May 2020, Randolph, 27,filed for a temporary restraining orderagainst Underwood that September for allegedly stalking and harassing her. Butshe dropped the ordernearly two months later.
“I got into a place with my personal life that was dark, and bad, and I can list a bunch of different things, but they’d all be excuses,” he said during hisGMAinterview last year. “I’d like to say sorry for how things ended. I messed up. I made a lot of bad choices.”
Later speaking toVariety, Underwood stressed that that situation doesn’t represent who he is.
“It’s not who I am as a human being, and it’s not how I carry myself,” he said. “If there was anything I could do to take more ownership, I would… I want her to know that I hope she has the best, most beautiful life.”
Sarah Morris/Getty
Today, Underwood is in a much better place. In January, he gotengaged to political strategist Jordan C. Brown.
“Aftermy birthday, Jordan and I went to Big Sur for a weekend getaway to decompress and relax in nature,” Underwood told PEOPLE in February. “I couldn’t have pictured a more beautiful place to celebrate an amazing milestone in my life and relationship.”
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Added Underwood: “I’m extremely happy! 2021 was the most transformative year of my life. Starting 2022 off with my best friend, teammate and now fiancé is something I never thought was going to be possible.”
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.
source: people.com
