Annie Walton Doyle
Emma Watson has clarified her previous comments about being ‘self-partnered.’
In a new interview, the 33-year-old actress explained that the term doesn’t necessarily mean she’s single.
In 2019, Watson famously described herself as ‘self-partnered,’ sparking curiosity and speculation about her relationship status.
Speaking with British Vogue, actress Emma Watson reflected on her relationship status as she neared this milestone, expressing contentment with her independence.
“It took me a long time, but I’m very happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered,” she stated.
And now, she’s cleared up exactly what she means.
California-based clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly explains the concept of being ‘self-partnered’ to NBC, emphasizing that self-partnering revolves around the idea of feeling whole as an individual.
Manly describes it as a state where one ‘does not feel compelled to seek fulfillment through having another person as a partner.’
This doesn’t mean self-partnered individuals never date or don’t consider marriage; instead, it reflects a commitment to knowing oneself first.
According to Manly: “To be truly self-partnered, one must often invest a great deal of time and energy on personal development.”
Emma Watson is not the only high-profile figure reshaping relationship labels.
In 2014, Gwyneth Paltrow introduced the term ‘conscious uncoupling’ to describe her separation from musician Chris Martin.
So, what’s driving this trend of redefining relationship terms?
Florida therapist Travis McNulty explains to NBC that ‘there’s a big shift in renaming the terms of relationships’ due to younger generations increasingly prioritizing individuality over traditional relationship expectations.
These shifts challenge the conventional labels associated with being single or divorced, reframing them as empowering states.
McNulty observes: “People form opinions based on labels traditionally used to define a person’s relationship status, but when Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow come out and use phrases like ‘self-partnered’ and ‘conscious uncoupling,’ it challenges the psychological implications and narratives behind the phrases being ‘single’ and ‘getting a divorce.'”
However, Watson clarified her intentions in a more recent Vogue interview.
She explained: “Getting to the point when I was 30, I was realizing: ‘Oh, maybe I’ve figured out some things about how to care for myself better – maybe quite well, actually.’ And taking pride in that.”
While she values relationships and community, Watson emphasizes the importance of self-love and independence.
She has cultivated a strong support system and actively invests time and energy into her relationships with friends and family.
Manly also offers several suggestions for those seeking to embrace self-partnering, whether single or in a relationship, advising learning to appreciate your own company.
“It’s important to also nurture feeling at ease without others — and loving your time alone,” she says.
Simple activities like dining solo, reading, or even watching a movie by yourself can help grow self-esteem.
Manly suggests writing daily to explore ‘your strengths and weaknesses… learning more about who you are without judgment.’
If past relationships have followed unhealthy patterns, take time to explore these dynamics through therapy or reading.
Manly recommends examining former relationships to understand why certain patterns recur, which can lead to valuable personal insights.
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