Jessica Simpson Gets Emotional Over The Response Received After Sobriety Post

Jessica Simpson’s recent announcement on her sobriety is being celebrated by her fans, and a source says it made her cry.

Recently the 41-year-old shared an “unrecognizable” throwback photo of herself from four years ago in honor of her sobriety anniversary, and the response “moved” her to tears, a friend of the singer and businesswoman told PEOPLE.

“It was very real for her,” the pal says. “She spent half the day crying. It meant so much to her to hear from people, hear their stories and know that she helped even one person.”

Simpson was candid on the moment her life took a turn on Nov. 1, 2017, writing in her post that at that moment she knew “I would allow myself to take back my light, show victory over my internal battle of self-respect and brave this world with piercing clarity” by quitting alcohol.

Fans and others admired her openness and showed their support.

“She was reflecting. Jessica does not want to hide anything anymore. She is an open book. She wants people to show that if she can post a cute photo of her family at Halloween, she also wants to show that is not all life is,” the friend says, adding that Simpson was surprised by the overwhelming response. “She wants to share the truth.”

Simpson is definitely in a better place.

“She’s doing well. She’s very present and she’s clear and clear-minded and her family is doing great,” the pal says. “It’s not that she doesn’t face challenges but she’s learning how to be better equipped to deal with challenges and more accepting of things that have happened in her past.”

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