A review by spongebobbiii
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

fast-paced

5.0

 Admittedly, I'm not a die-hard Britney fan. Sure, she's an icon for my generation (millennial here!), but pop music never quite hit the right chord with me. As a 2000s emo kid, my playlist leaned heavily towards alternative, metal, punk, and rock. The occasional dive into pop territory usually involved the Spice Girls. While I could sing along to her popular tunes, Britney was never someone I followed closely. The head-shaving incident in 2007, during my high school sophomore year, left me baffled. The media buzzed about Bipolar Disorder, a term I knew nothing about, and a year later, when she was conserved, I remained fairly indifferent.

Fast forward to my career as a Marriage and Family Therapist, where Britney's case became a focal point, especially with the rise of the #FreeBritney movement. Approaching it with fresh eyes, I delved into researching her conservatorship. To my shock, it persisted for years!! In my therapeutic work in California, the same state that imposed the conservatorship, I'd worked with conserved individuals, typically requiring extensive support due to severe disabilities. Our goal was always to facilitate their return to independence. Yet, Britney was touring relentlessly, gracing talk show interviews, and selling out shows in her Las Vegas residency. It simply didn't add up.

Come November 2021, Britney's conservatorship finally ends, thrusting her story back into the limelight. My journey led me to #BritneySpearsTikTok, a wild realm of fan content creators discussing their thoughts, feelings, and theories about Britney. Intrigued, I picked up her recently released book, "The Woman in Me," and apparently, I wasn't alone – 1.1 million copies sold as of November 1st.

The book's biggest revelation: we all owe her the most sincere apology.

My heart aches contemplating the abuse and trauma she endured. This admission comes from a professional who deals with trauma regularly in my practice. Observing the questions on social media about her behavior on Instagram, her changed appearance, or erratic actions, my simple response is: trauma. Abuse, neglect, trauma – they can rob years from a person's life. Britney, once a prisoner, forced into performances, dictated meals, restricted in dating choices, denied basic communication, and misinformed about her rights under conservatorship. The media's relentless and horrific treatment began from the moment she gained stardom. The list of injustices goes on and on.

While a Britney Spears playlist may never become my go to, I've become a fan. My sincerest hope is that she finds the peace and rest she deserves. Dive into her book – read or listen. Hear her words, understand her story, and empathize with her pain.