Justin Timberlake Says ‘Not Doing S—‘ After Tour Ends

• Justin Timberlake is embracing downtime at home with a cheeky sweatshirt message after his long Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
• Diagnosed with Lyme disease, he described the symptoms as mentally and physically debilitating.
• Despite the illness, he completed nearly 90 shows during the tour, relying on the strength of performing and fan connection.
• His public disclosure aims to raise Lyme awareness and challenge misunderstandings about chronic illness.

Justin Timberlake is officially off duty. On August 4, the 44‑year‑old shared a lighthearted Instagram Stories photo showing himself lounging in a sweatshirt emblazoned “I’m not doing s— today. Mission accomplished”, complete with checkmark emojis. That simple image sent a playful message: he’s stepping back, relaxing at home with his family, following the conclusion of his two‑year Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

Lyme Disease Diagnosis Explained by Justin Timberlake

In a heartfelt Instagram message on July 31, Timberlake revealed he’d been diagnosed with Lyme disease during the tour, clarifying that he wasn’t sharing to garner sympathy but “to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes. He described the disease as “relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” with symptoms including “massive nerve pain” and “crazy fatigue”.

Despite ongoing health challenges—back injury, bronchitis, laryngitis, ankle injury—Justin performed approximately 90 shows on his tour. He admitted contemplating whether to cancel shows but ultimately decided performing outweighed the stress: “The joy of performing … far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling”.

In his post‑tour statement, Timberlake called the experience “fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, grueling. He tagged his wife Jessica Biel and their sons—Silas, 10, and Phineas, 5—to whom he dedicated his strength: “To Jess, Silas, and Phin… nothing is more powerful than your unconditional love. You are my heart and my home”.

Family Support And Why Lyme Disease Disclosure Matters

His openness has drawn renewed attention to tick‑borne Lyme disease, especially during peak season (April–October). Experts warn the illness can mimic other conditions and lead to serious neurological issues if left unaddressed. Timberlake joins a growing roster of celebs who’ve spoken publicly about Lyme, including Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber, Bella Hadid and Shania Twain.

A family insider told PEOPLE that the diagnosis brought Timberlake “clarity” and that Biel has been “incredibly supportive” throughout. The focus now is on recovery, rest, and spending time with the kids. The source added: “He’s taking it seriously. The plan is to rest, spend time with Jess and the kids and do everything he can to heal”.

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi via infected tick bites, is often curable if diagnosed early—but late detection can lead to chronic outcomes. The CDC reports roughly 476,000 people receive treatment each year in the U.S., despite 89,000 cases reported in 2023. Timberlake hopes his disclosure will encourage others to get tested and speak openly about symptoms.

Touring With Illness: What Fans Should Know

When fans questioned his energy or stage presence on social media, many dismissed it as laziness. Timberlake later explained those critiques didn’t account for unseen nerve pain and fatigue. He’s emphasized that transparency now can help prevent misinterpretation of future behaviour.

justin bieber is officially not performing byepic.twitter.com/z4G7QU4OJX

— steve (@secutebeliebz) February 12, 2024

Now that touring has wrapped and the diagnosis is public, Justin’s priorities lie in medical care, family time, and self‑care. His sweatshirt declaration is more than humorous—it’s a signal that he’s shifting focus to healing and reconnecting with loved ones.

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