Michelle Obama has opened up about her ongoing therapy journey, revealing how it is helping her adjust to a new chapter in her life. Now in her 60s, the former First Lady is navigating life as an empty nester while focusing on personal growth and reflection.
In an April 28 interview on The On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, the 61-year-old shared how therapy is helping her through this period of transition. “At this phase of my life, I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning, you know?” Michelle said.
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Reflecting on this shift, she added, “I’m 60 years old, I’ve finished a really hard thing in my life with my family intact, I’m an empty nester, my girls are in — you know, they’ve been launched!” referring to her daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, whom she shares with former President Barack Obama.
As her daughters grow older and her time as First Lady fades into the past, Michelle explained that her focus has now shifted entirely to herself. “Every choice that I’m making is completely mine,” she said. “I now don’t have the excuse of, ‘Well, my kids need this,’ or ‘My husband needs that’ or ‘The country needs that.’”
The transition, however, has not been without its challenges. Michelle described the change as “unsettling,” noting the need to address some of her long-held habits and emotional baggage. “Let me unwind some old habits. Let me sort through some old guilt that I’ve been carrying around,” she admitted.
“Let me talk about how my relationship with my mother has affected how I think about things.” Using therapy as a tool for clarity and self-reflection, Michelle emphasized the importance of seeking guidance during significant life changes. “So, I’m getting that tune-up for this next phase because I believe this is a whole other phase in life for me,” she said.
“And I now have the wisdom to know — let me go get some coaching while I’m doing it so that I have other voices other than the people who know me best.” She further explained how therapy has allowed her to explore new emotions and perspectives. “I’ve got a new person that’s getting to know me, and seeing me completely new and hearing all these emotions,” Michelle shared.
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An advocate for therapy, Michelle also expressed her belief in its importance. “I am an advocate of it,” she said. “Everybody needs to find their form of it, the best way they can.” In addition to promoting her podcast with her brother Craig Robinson, Michelle has frequently been asked about her marriage to Barack Obama.
In a May 1 interview on Stephen Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, she addressed rumors directly, affirming the strength of their partnership. “If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,” she said.
“The beauty of my husband and our partnership is that neither one of us was ever really, ever going to quit at it, because that’s not who we are.” Michelle’s openness about therapy and her marriage continues to resonate with many as she enters this new phase of life.
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