SIXTY
SECOND
THERAPIST
STYLIST'S�LIFE�COACH��
LISA�MERRICK-LAWLESS��
SCRUTINISES�
CELEBRITY�
PSYCHES�
Natalie
Imbruglia
shares with
the group
Singer Natalie, 34, reveals how
therapy and a big birthday banished
her low self-esteem
You achieved fame in your 20s and are
considered to be one of the world’s most
beautiful women. How does that feel?
To be considered beautiful is flattering, but
to be thought of as one of the world’s most
beautiful women makes me uncomfortable.
I find it weird that people would think that.
I enjoy my success but I don’t think it’s
healthy to consider myself desirable.
You’ve talked recently about being much
more confident at this point in your life
– how have you achieved this?
Turning 30 was the biggest factor. In my
20s, I was still sussing life out. I feel sexier
and more comfortable in my skin now.
I used to put so much pressure on myself,
mainly because I was so driven, career-wise.
I don’t have the time to worry anymore.
I just want to let loose and have fun. Chris
Martin wrote my single Fun – working with
him is bound to boost my confidence!
What’s the most valuable lesson life
has taught you so far?
I’ve learnt to worry less about things, to
have a more relaxed approach to life and
that I need to be by myself for a while.
I’m not ready for another relationship
[Natalie split from her husband,
How healthy is your self-esteem?
1. In a social situation, I’m confident that I can add value to the conversation and
don’t question my intelligence, humour or interest.
2. I accept compliments graciously without questioning the giver’s motive. I never
feel tempted to counteract the compliment with a criticism of myself.
3. I make a decision to invest in myself by doing one of the following at least once
a day: eat healthily; exercise; treat myself to something that makes me happy.
4. I set my own agenda; I don’t benchmark my own success against others, or allow
their successes or failures to influence how I value my own status.
5. I don’t rely on the approval of others to assure me I’m making the right
decisions in my life or that I’m a good person.
����WWW�STYLIST�CO�UK
NATALIE HAS LEARNT
TO STOP STRUGGLING
FOR ACCEPTANCE
Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns, in
January 2008 after four years of marriage].
I’m glad that I can recognise that I don’t
need a relationship in order to be happy
and am relieved not to have to navigate
someone else’s life. It’s empowering for me
to be on my own and I feel stronger now.
To what extent have the relationships in
your life influenced how you feel?
I’ve learnt from the bad and the good.
AGREE DISAGREE
I don’t regret being married because I had
wonderful times, but since the divorce I’ve
had more time for myself. It’s easy to fall
into a relationship and neglect yourself, so
I’m enjoying being a bit selfish. The most
positive relationships to me now are those
with my girlfriends. Some are from high
school, some from the industry that I’ve
worked in – another is a yoga teacher. They
all give me different perspectives and it’s
nice to lean on them. David Walliams is
also a good buddy of mine. He is so funny.
Are you happy living in Britain?
I do miss Australia, particularly the
weather and the beach, of course. But
I love London, too. I’ve just moved to
Notting Hill. I love the fashion, I love the
people, I love the English reserve. I’ve
become very fond of your way of life and
think I will stay for a while. But I have a
fantasy of living in a beach house in Byron
Bay one day…
What personal vulnerabilities do you
struggle with the most?
I put pressure on my work and always
have. I used to struggle for acceptance,
but then learnt to stop looking for personal
security in my work. I managed to separate
the two, but the lesson came with age.
You’ve previously had therapy – how
much has that helped you develop?
Therapy is great. I came out mentally and
emotionally stronger. I deal with situations
better and accept that sometimes things
take work and some things don’t work and
you need to let them go. Problems don’t
have to be terrifying when I approach
them with clarity.
Natalie Imbruglia’s album, Come To Life,
is released 5 October
MEET OUR
THERAPIST
Lisa Merrick-
Lawless is an
NLP coach with
Headspace (the
headspace.co.uk)
MOSTLY
AGREE
You’re
comfortable
with who
you are, value
yourself and
feel in control.
You have a
good base to
springboard
yourself
into new
experiences.
MOSTLY
DISAGREE
People with low
self-esteem
(like you)
struggle to take
responsibility.
Be kind to
yourself and
take control
of your future.
Start by taking
decisions about
your life today.
WORDS��LISA�MERRICK-LAWLESS��THEHEADSPACE�CO�UK����PHOTOGRAPHY��PAUL�FARRELL
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