Reese Witherspoon just got really vulnerable with fans, sharing with attendee’s of her Shine Away event that she “cried and cried” after reaching a breaking point with her work-life balance. The mother-of-three has a lot on her plate—she’s an actress and a producer and in March of this year, she divorced her husband of 12 years, Jim Toth. So it’s not surprising she’s had trouble balancing it all.
On Oct. 21, the actress’s media company, Hello Sunshine, held a Shine Away event, which is a day of celebrating art, literature, storytelling, “and the women leading it all,” according to the website. Reese sat down with fans for an intimate chat, during which she revealed she’s recently made it her priority to “find balance outside of work.” Keep reading to find out more about Reese’s journey towards a more balanced life.
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Reese Witherspoon struggled with work-life balance amid divorce
The This Means War actress explained to fans, "I'm a person who fills my schedule with busyness, so that I feel less alone or less nervous or less unsettled," and that this habit led to an unbalanced feeling. After her divorce from Jim Toth was finalized this past March, she started packing her schedule to the brim. "I was a robot and the robot broke," the Academy Award winner told her audience. "I cried and cried."
"I didn't feel like I was taking very good care of myself," she continued. "I wasn't asking other people for help."
The Legally Blonde actress then referenced a poem that her friend Cleo Wade recently wrote about the glue in people’s lives that made her "burst into tears."
"Sometimes you are the glue in everybody's life, whether it's at work or being a mom or being a partner," Witherspoon reflected. "But, who is holding you together, you know? It's really important to remember that you have to be the glue that holds yourself together."
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Fan reactions
Many of Reese Witherspoon's fans had a lot to say about the star's revelations—some good and some bad—and took to Reddit to share their feelings.
One user had no sympathy for the producer, who recently sold her media company, Hello Sunshine, for $900M. "You have millions in the bank and you live a life most Americans only dream of as many are struggling just to put food on the table for their children!" they wrote. "I don't discount your trials as a human, but this should NOT become newsworthy! Get some perspective girl!"
"I'm sorry for her, but her experience is no different from the experience of many people who get a divorce," another person wrote.
But another fan defended the Your Place or Mine actress, writing, "Being wealthy does not shield anyone from heartbreak."
"I wish her and all others experiencing this peace and harmony," another fan posted.
Other fans who attended the Shine Away event had more positive reviews and took to commenting on Reese’s Instagram post commemorating the event.
"Literally just sharing space with you was more powerful than you can imagine!! Thank YOU for everything you've done & continue to do for women in this industry," one fan wrote, adding in yellow hearts and sunshine emojis.
"It truly was an unforgettable experience," another fan posted, adding, “Thank you for everything!"
A final user commented, "I love that you just peaced out of a divorce, and are still so graceful in every way and my respect for you is profound. Your presence is remarkable. Queen!"
