Justin Bieber has shared a deeply personal message about self-worth, imposter syndrome, and his struggles with mental health, offering fans a rare glimpse into his inner thoughts.

The 31-year-old singer took to his Instagram Stories on Thursday to share his feelings of doubt and insecurity with his 250 million followers. In his post, Bieber reflected on how he has struggled with feelings of unworthiness despite his success.

“People told me my whole life, ‘Wow, Justin, you deserve that,’ and I personally have always felt unworthy,” he wrote. “Like I was a fraud.”

The Peaches singer admitted that he often felt undeserving of praise, believing that if people knew his true thoughts, they might not hold him in such high regard.

“When people told me I deserve something, it made me feel sneaky, like, ‘Damn, if they only knew my thoughts. How judgmental I am, how selfish I really am, they wouldn’t be saying this,’” he continued.

Bieber reassured others who feel similarly, saying, “If you feel sneaky, welcome to the club. I definitely feel unequipped and unqualified most days.”

Encouraging self-acceptance, he concluded: “We have nothing to prove today. Just the gift of life to accept and receive. Nothing is owed to us and we don’t owe anyone anything.”

Struggles with Mental Health and Growth

This is not the first time Bieber has opened up about his personal struggles. In February, he shared another message about his “insecurities” and “fears,” encouraging his fans to embrace change rather than forcing it.

“It’s time to grow up! Changing is about letting go! Not trying harder!” he wrote. “Are you tired of trying to follow all of the rules in hopes to get the results you create?”

He admitted that he has struggled to follow rules but believes true change comes from love.

“You don’t need to follow rules to enter into a life of love. You just receive it. God always grants us love! It’s one of His promises! Upon receiving God’s love, you start to change and start following love. You don’t work to mature! You let go to mature!”

Bieber has been candid about his battles with depression, substance abuse, and the pressures of fame. In 2019, he admitted to using “pretty heavy drugs” at 19 and struggling with relationships, which led to years of personal healing and growth.

“I felt like I could never turn it around. It’s taken me years to bounce back from all these terrible decisions, fix broken relationships, and change relationship habits,” he wrote in a past Instagram post.

Growing up in the spotlight had its consequences. By the age of 20, he had made what he called “every bad decision you could have thought of,” despite his wealth and success.

“I have a lot of money, clothes, cars, accolades, achievements, awards, and I was still unfulfilled,” he shared.

Bieber also reflected on the intense pressure child stars face, describing it as an “insane” burden on a young mind.

“There is an insane pressure and responsibility put on a child whose brain, emotions, frontal lobes (decision-making) aren’t developed yet,” he explained. “No rationality, defiant, rebellious—things all of us have to go through. But when you add the pressure of stardom, it does something to you that is quite explainable.”

From his humble beginnings in Stratford, Ontario, as the son of teenage parents, to his meteoric rise to global fame at 13, Bieber’s journey has been anything but ordinary. His candid reflections highlight both the challenges of growing up in the public eye and his ongoing efforts to find peace, purpose, and self-acceptance.