Emma Watson recently spoke about what it means to be ‘self-partnered’ and offered insight into this personal journey.

In 2019, as she approached her 30th birthday, Emma Watson shared her feelings during an interview with Vogue. Like many people nearing this milestone, she found herself reflecting on life expectations.

During the conversation, Emma revealed that she had formed certain ‘ideas’ about where she should be in her life by that age. She described feeling ‘stressed and anxious’ because of the milestones she hadn’t yet reached.

The renowned Harry Potter actress expressed, “I realized that there’s this overwhelming wave of subliminal messages everywhere.”

She continued, “If you haven’t built a home, don’t have a husband, a baby, or you haven’t settled into a comfortable place in your career by 30, while still figuring things out…”

Emma added, “There’s just this immense pressure that can create anxiety.”

She eventually found acceptance and joy in her single status, saying, “It took me quite a while, but I’m truly happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered.”

The term left many intrigued – what exactly does it entail?

Essentially, being ‘self-partnered’ means being content with oneself and embracing the choice not to seek a relationship to feel whole. It’s about who loves their own company just as it is.

Emma revisited this topic in a recent 2023 interview, where she elaborated on her past comments.

Now at 34, Emma shared, “When I reached 30, I started to think, ‘Maybe I’ve learned a little bit about how to take care of myself – maybe even quite successfully’. I took pride in that discovery.”

Emma highlighted a significant takeaway from the global pandemic: the value of community. “Coming out of Covid, I gained a clear understanding of how crucial it is to build, maintain, and invest time and energy in community,” she explained.

While Emma finds confidence in her independent status, she reportedly started dating Kieran Brown, an Oxford University student, in July 2024.