Britney Spears says she is celebrating Christmas early this year because “why not?”

The pop star, 39, is on the brink of regaining power over her affairs for the first time since a court deemed her unfit in 2008 following a series of mental breakdowns.

It is thought that the conservatorship, a legal arrangement usually for the very old or sick, could be ended before the end of the year.

Spears posted a number of times on Instagram on Saturday, once with a photo of a Christmas tree, writing: “I’m celebrating Christmas way early this year… because why not?

“I believe any reason to find more joy in life is a good idea… and it’s no secret that I’ve been through it in the past… so I might have to do things a little differently from now on.”

“Lord have mercy on my family’s souls if I ever do an interview. In the meantime…

“I’m staying clear of the business which is all I’ve ever known in my whole life…which is why this is so very confusing for me. Anyway… God bless you all.”

She also shared her “disgust” at the system that allowed her father and others to control her life for 13 years but admitted that she was “fearful of doing something wrong” with the freedom she expects to be enjoying soon.

She said: “I’ll just be honest and say I’ve waited so long to be free from the situation I’m in… and now that it’s here I’m scared to do anything because I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake.

“For so many years I was always told if I succeeded at things, it could end… and it never did.

“I worked so hard but now that it’s here and getting closer and closer to ending I’m very happy but there (are) a lot of things that scare me.”

Writing about the paparazzi, she said: “I don’t like that they try to scare me and jump out like they do… it’s like they want me to do something crazy.

“So, like I said, I’m fearful of doing something wrong… so I won’t be posting as much in a world where it’s our liberty to be free, it’s a shame.

“I started experiencing that when I got the keys to my car for the first time four months ago and it’s been 13 years.”

In September, Jamie Spears was formally removed from the responsibility of overseeing his daughter’s financial estate, a move that many commentators think marks the beginning of the end for the star’s conservatorship.