A breakup can be tough enough on its own, but add in a global pandemic and criticism from thousands, if not millions, of people, and it is even tougher. That's exactly what "The Bachelor" star Cassie Randolph went through, and it's the reason why she decided to take a break from work and social media following her split from former "Bachelor" lead Colton Underwood.

"The last 2 years I’ve been thrust into a spotlight after living a fairly normal life. Since then, I’ve been trying to learn how to navigate my life changes while also trying to cling to who I am," the 25-year-old captioned her first post since returning to Instagram on Wednesday.

"I used to think a platform would give me a voice, but in many ways a platform takes your voice. For someone like me it’s been paralyzing," she continued. "I can overthink everything. It takes really thick skin to navigate constant drama, fake articles, nasty DMs & comments or rumors started by people who feel entitled to your personal life."

READ: Former 'Bachelor' Colton Underwood And Cassie Randolph Reunite With Friends Amid Breakup

Cassie then explained the incredible struggle that fame and notoriety can have on one's mental health, describing it as "an uphill battle." She also admitted that she has polarizing feelings about ranting about her struggles when "there are truly critical issues in the world right now."

"Hence, the reason I decided (against advice) to cancel contracts & delete IG for 30 days," the speech-language pathologist revealed, adding that her time away was "amazing" and she "lived in the moment."

"Life is short. We all have struggles to figure out. All we can do is the best we know in the moment so when we reflect, we don’t feel regret. Always be learning, always be growing," Cassie continued.

"Thx to the majority of u who’ve been kind & sent concerned messages. It means more than u know ❤️ ily all (minus the trolls)," she concluded.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The last 2 years I’ve been thrust into a spotlight after living a fairly normal life. Since then, I’ve been trying to learn how to navigate my life changes while also trying to cling to who I am. I used to think a platform would give me a voice, but in many ways a platform takes your voice. For someone like me it’s been paralyzing. I can overthink everything. It takes really thick skin to navigate constant drama, fake articles, nasty DMs & comments or rumors started by people who feel entitled to your personal life. It takes incredible mental strength to shrug off strangers who regularly criticize your character based on conclusions they drew while watching an edited tv show (I could say so much here). It can feel like an uphill battle. Sometimes I want to just say what I want & forget my sensitive side that strives to do the “right thing”, be calm & rational, be kind, think of others first etc.. I feel like saying: ok all you mother ffers hating on me for my breakup-please stop. It’s been an awful few months for ME trying to go thru it. I’m STILL going thru it. It’s hard enough w/out your know-it-all comments. You literally know nothing so go away. One minute I feel my rant above & the next I feel selfish thinking about myself when there are truly critical issues in the world right now: BLM, Covid, toxic politics, matters of life and death; social injustice. Kinda puts personal problems in perspective. Hence, the reason I decided (against advice) to cancel contracts & delete IG for 30 days. The break, tho short, was amazing. What did I do? I read a LOT, got a tattoo, caught up with friends, attended 2 protests, finished 60 HOURS OF SIMUCASE, re-evaluated my dreams and goals, went surfing, dyed my own hair, played my guitar, got out my sewing machine...lived in the moment. Life is short. We all have struggles to figure out. All we can do is the best we know in the moment so when we reflect, we don’t feel regret. Always be learning, always be growing. Ok, I’m done. A bit all over the place, but I’m forcing myself not to overthink. Thx to the majority of u who’ve been kind & sent concerned messages. It means more than u know ❤️ ily all (minus the trolls)

A post shared by Cassie Randolph (@cassierandolph) on

Cassie's post comes a little over a month after she and Season 23 "The Bachelor" lead Colton Underwood announced their split. The two had been dating since his run as the lead on the ABC dating series, which aired in 2019.

"First off, I want to say this is one of the hardest things I have had to share as neither one of us is quite ready to talk about it yet. However, because our relationship is such a public one, our silence on the matter has been speaking for us," she prefaced the news at the time. "Colton and I have broken up, but have decided to remain a part of each others lives."

Her 28-year-old ex-beau made a similar post on his personal Instagram as well.

Since the breakup, the two have been spotted out together in the same town and with the same groups of friends which caused a lot of speculation that they had gotten back together. According to sources though, that just doesn't seem to be the case.

"Colton and Cassie are not back together, but they've been making a real effort to stay friends," an insider told People last month. "They’ve seen each other several times since Colton got back to L.A."

As Cassie and Colton do their best to remain friends, fans have started to wonder if the former NFL player already has his eyes set on another Bachelor Nation member: Madison Prewett. Although neither Colton nor Madison have comments on the rumors, fans appear supportive of the two getting together.

"You two would be the perfect couple. You’re both so sweet," one user expressed on Madison's Instagram account last month. Over on Colton's page, one fan posted, "@madiprew you and@coltonunderwood are meant for each other! Hope this is in the works."

colton and cassie the bachelor
Colton Underwood and Cassie Randolph from "The Bachelor" are pictured at the 2019 CMA Awards. ABC/Image Group LA
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