Emma Watson has announced that she considers herself ‘self-partnered’ and clarified what it means.
The English actress, best known for her role as Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter movies, has sparked speculation after opening up about her relationship status.
Like many high-profile figures, she’s reshaping labels and has cleared up exactly what she means by the ‘self-partnered’ term for those who are curious.
The Little Women star made headlines in 2019 when she described herself as “self-partnered” during an interview with British Vogue.
Watson explained: “I never bought into the whole ‘I’m happy single’ narrative. I thought, ‘This is total spiel.’ It took me a while, but I’m genuinely happy being single. I call it being self-partnered.”
However, she clarified that she is dating but just not with one specific person.
She added: “Dating apps are not for me.
“I’m really lucky because I went to university and have pursued other things outside of film, so my friends are amazing at setting me up. They’re really good at it.”
Watson also shared that some of her closest friends are people she was once set up with on dates that didn’t work out.
Watson isn’t the only one embracing the term “self-partnered.” California-based clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly has also praised the concept.
In an interview with NBC, Manly explained: “A self-partnered person feels whole and fulfilled within themselves and doesn’t feel the need to seek fulfillment through having another person as a partner.
“To truly be self-partnered, one often has to dedicate significant time and energy to personal growth.”
This doesn’t mean that self-partnered individuals avoid dating or disregard the idea of marriage. Instead, it reflects a commitment to first understanding and knowing oneself.
Like Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow has been reshaping relationship terminology. In 2014, the actress introduced the phrase “conscious uncoupling” to describe her separation from musician Chris Martin.
So, what’s driving this shift in relationship labels?
Florida therapist Travis McNulty shared with NBC that there’s a growing trend of renaming relationship terms, driven by younger generations who increasingly prioritize individuality over traditional expectations.
These changes challenge the conventional labels of being single or divorced, instead reframing them as empowering states.
McNulty noted: “People often form opinions based on the traditional labels used to define someone’s relationship status. But when figures like Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow use terms like ‘self-partnered’ and ‘conscious uncoupling,’ it challenges the psychological implications and narratives that come with being ‘single’ or ‘divorced.’”
Manly also offers several tips for those looking to embrace self-partnering, whether they’re single or in a relationship.
The psychologist suggests: “It’s important to feel comfortable on your own and truly enjoy your own company.
“Whether it’s dining alone, going to a movie by yourself, reading, or volunteering solo, your self-esteem strengthens when you actively learn to appreciate your own presence.”
