The English actress, best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, has sparked conversation after sharing details about her relationship status.
Like many public figures, she’s redefining traditional labels and has clarified exactly what she means by the term “self-partnered” for those curious about her choice of words
The Little Women star famously coined the term “self-partnered” during a 2019 interview with British Vogue.
Speaking to the publication, Watson said, “I never believed the whole ‘I’m happy single’ spiel. I was like, ‘This is totally spiel.’ It took me a long time, but I’m very happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered.”
However, she clarified that while she is dating, it’s “not one specific person.”
Watson also added, “Dating apps are not on the cards for me.”
Watson isn’t alone in 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 rely on a partner for a sense of completeness.
“To truly be self-partnered, one must often dedicate significant time and energy to personal growth,” she added.
Being self-partnered doesn’t mean avoiding dating or ruling out marriage — it’s simply about prioritizing a strong relationship with oneself first.
Like Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow has also helped reshape the language around relationships. In 2014, she introduced the term “conscious uncoupling” to describe her separation from musician Chris Martin.
So, what’s fueling this trend of redefining relationship labels?
Florida-based therapist Travis McNulty told NBC that there’s a growing shift among younger generations, who are prioritizing individuality over traditional relationship expectations.
These changes are challenging the old labels associated with being single or divorced, instead reframing them as empowering, self-affirming states.
McNulty noted, “People often form opinions based on traditional labels that define relationship status. But when figures like Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow introduce terms like ‘self-partnered’ and ‘conscious uncoupling,’ it challenges the psychological narratives and assumptions tied to being ‘single’ or ‘getting a divorce.’
