"The ones who leave are fewer than the many who stay by our side," the singer wrote.
Shakira sent her fans an emotional but hopeful message for 2023 as she rang in the new year on her own for the first time since separating from her longtime partner Gerard Piqué. The 45-year-old musician stated in a bilingual Instagram post that those who have been misled "must continue" to maintain their faith, per PEOPLE. "Even if our wounds are still open in this new year, time has a surgeon's hands," she wrote. "Even if someone's betrayed us, we must continue to trust others. When faced with contempt, continue to know your worth," she continued.
She further added, "Because there are more good people than indecent ones. More people with empathy than indifference. The ones who leave are fewer than the many who stay by our side."
The singer emphasized her opinion that hardship can inspire growth. "Our tears are not in vain, they water the soil our future will spring from and make us more human, so that even while suffering heartache we can continue to love," the post read.
Given that it comes after Shakira's well-publicized breakup with sportsman Piqué last year, the message from January 1 seems to be deeply personal to her. The 35-year-old retired soccer player Pique and the three-time Grammy Award winner Shakira announced their split in June. "We regret to confirm that we are separating. We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect," they wrote.
The ex-couple met for the first time in 2010 on the set of the music video for Waka Waka (This Time for Africa). In 2011, they declared their union. Milan, their first son, was born in 2013 through Shakira, and Sasha, their second son, was born in 2015. After separating, the former couple recently decided on a custody arrangement for their two sons, Milan and Sasha. "Our sole objective is to provide our children with the utmost security and protection and hope that they can continue with their lives in a safe and calm environment," they said at the time in a statement to PEOPLE. "We appreciate that their privacy will be respected."
In an earlier interview, Shakira shared that the split caused her to lose faith. The musician described ending her relationship as "probably one of the most difficult, darkest hours of my life" in an Elle interview from September, adding that it was "hard to talk about it, especially because I'm still going through it and because I'm in the public eye." The musician shared that her children act as her strength in these tough times. "I just manage, I guess, reminding myself that I need to become an example for my kids, that I need to be what they want, what I want them to become. And I want to be there, also, for all the people who have shown me their love and support. That is my biggest strength. That’s my most powerful engine right now," she said.
References:
https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a41296977/shakira-elle-digital-cover-october-2022/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Frazer Harrison
