Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall says 'white privilege still takes limelight' during lockdown

‘I lay awake overthinking, plagued with anxiety through the night,’ singer states in poem written for Mental Health Awareness Week

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Little Mix‘s Jade Thirlwall has penned a poem about the impact lockdown has had on her mental health, stating that she “took freedom for granted”.

In the poem, which was shared on Instagram, the singer describes finding a greater appreciation for her family during the coronavirus pandemic, while also expressing how much she is “looking forward to being free” when it is safe for members of the public to no longer have to be in isolation.

The piece, which Thirlwall named “Lockdown Word Vomit”, was written as part of a series of essays for The World From My Window, an initiative founded during lockdown with the aim of sharing people’s individual stories and experiences.

Shared on Monday 18 May to mark the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week, Thirlwall’s poem begins with the musician describing her emotional state.

“​​I like lying in my empty bath. Letting the water drain out like a music video. It had been a while since I’d proper cried. Watching the world stop from my window in my flat way up high. I took freedom for granted,” she writes.

Thirlwall continues, stating she has drunk “18 bottles of wine” and that she “lay awake overthinking, plagued with anxiety through the night”.

The X-Factor winner says that the experience has helped her to learn “it’s my family and friends who make me genuinely smile”, and that there is “a new joy on my Mum and Dad’s face each time I check if they’re alright”.

The singer recalls how she has been spending her time, from binge-watching Netflix’s Money Heist to reading, playing music and “feeling more inspired to write”.

She also pays homage to her ancestry, stating that after going through old photographs of her grandparent she feels she “should wear my heritage, my race and my roots with more pride”.

Thirlwall is critical of those in authority, stating that “through our leaders, white privilege still takes the limelight”.

However, on a more positive note, she feels a “newfound warmth” when she hears herself being called “Auntie Jade” during phone calls with her relatives.

“Staying in becomes the new fruits of our labour. Learning what it really means to be a good neighbour,” she writes.

“And for every rainbow sign I feel a little hope for the next generation.”

By the end of the poem, Thirlwall questions what “normal life” will look like when lockdown ends.

“I’m looking forward to being free but still unfree again,” she concludes.

Several Instagram users praised Thirlwall for her thought-provoking penmanship.

“This is so touching and so beautifully honest/written,” one person wrote.

“Beautiful, genuine thoughts from a beautiful, genuine person,” another said, while Little Mix band member Leigh-Anne Pinnock commented with a line of heart emojis.