Jennifer Lawrence is offering a deeply personal look into the realities of motherhood, sharing how postpartum depression reshaped her perspective on family, identity, and career. In a candid conversation on The Interview podcast from The New York Times, the 35-year-old actress revealed that becoming a mother brought overwhelming joy but also unexpected emotional challenges.
She described motherhood as profoundly “sacrificial,” admitting that for the first time in her life, she had to turn down opportunities she deeply wanted. Lawrence also opened up about the internal conflict she felt as she tried to balance her love for acting with her desire to be fully present at home. Her reflections highlight the complex, often unspoken struggles many new mothers face — even those living in the public eye.
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Opening Up About Sacrifice in Motherhood
During the November 1 episode of The Interview podcast from The New York Times, Lawrence shared that becoming a mother reshaped the way she views her personal and professional life.
“Having kids is sacrificial. It’s gratifying and it’s amazing and rewarding, but it’s not not sacrificial,” she said. “I’d never had to say no to something before that I really wanted to do.”
The actress, 35, admitted she often felt “vain and selfish” for wanting to keep her career moving forward while her family was at home.
Balancing Career and Family
Lawrence explained that while her children are her top priority, her creative work remains a fundamental part of her identity.
“My kids and my family are more important, obviously, but they feel like an equal part of me,” she said. “I would not be complete if I couldn’t make movies. I just wouldn’t.”
Early in motherhood, she believed acting would be the “perfect job” for being a hands-on mom — a belief she soon learned was more complicated in reality.
“So I’m reckoning with, ‘How much is it OK to love this and not want to give it up?’” she continued.
Struggles During Her Second Postpartum Experience
Lawrence revealed that her second postpartum journey was more challenging, marked by increased anxiety and a need to mentally escape.
“With my second, I struggled with anxiety and really lost myself in ideas,” she shared. “Stories and books have always been how I digest feelings.”
How Die My Love Entered Her Life
Shortly after welcoming her first child, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese recommended the novel Die My Love, which follows a young mother battling postpartum depression while her husband spirals into psychosis.
Lawrence picked it up immediately.
“I read it in one sitting,” she recalled. “I was actually in a really good place in my postpartum journey … because of that I was able to allow my mind to go to those darker places.”
She was later cast in the film adaptation opposite Robert Pattinson — all while pregnant with her second baby during filming.
Exploring Motherhood Through Her Role
Preparing for the emotional role required deep research. Lawrence consulted a postpartum specialist, learning that suicide is a leading cause of maternal death in the first year after birth — a fact that influenced how she approached the film’s powerful ending.
“There were certain realities I just couldn’t look at,” she said. “The forest felt like a cleansing — a space where everything breaks down and rebuilds.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jennifer Lawrence reveal about postpartum depression?
Jennifer Lawrence shared that she experienced emotional struggles after giving birth, especially during her second postpartum journey, where she dealt with heightened anxiety and sought escape through stories and books.
Why does Lawrence describe motherhood as “sacrificial”?
She explained that becoming a mother required her to make difficult choices, including saying no to career opportunities she once would have taken without hesitation.
Did Jennifer Lawrence struggle with bonding after childbirth?
No. She mentioned that she bonded with her first child immediately, which made it easier for her to explore darker emotional themes while reading Die My Love.
How did Die My Love influence Jennifer Lawrence’s perspective?
The book, recommended by Martin Scorsese, resonated deeply with her and later became a film she starred in. Its themes of motherhood and mental health aligned with her own reflections.
Was Jennifer Lawrence pregnant during the filming of Die My Love?
Yes. She was pregnant with her second child while filming the movie, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the experience.
Did Jennifer Lawrence consult experts for her role?
She spoke with a postpartum specialist, who shared insights—including the alarming statistic that suicide is a leading cause of death for mothers in the first year postpartum.
Conclusion
Jennifer Lawrence’s honest reflections offer a rare and powerful glimpse into the emotional terrain of motherhood — a journey filled with love, sacrifice, anxiety, and rediscovery. By openly discussing her experiences with postpartum depression and the challenges of balancing family with a demanding career, she sheds light on the often unseen struggles many mothers face.
