Actress Paula Patton on Life After Divorce: “It’s Freeing”

More than a year after her divorce with Robin Thicke, actress Paula Patton says she’s embracing single life. In a video interview with Essence, the Warcraft star opened up about what it’s like dating as a single mom and explained that she’s found a sense of empowerment and freedom in the process.

“It’s been fun and interesting and I’ve learned a lot about myself,” she told Essence. Because Patton had known Thicke since she was just 15, she explained that the transition has been “kind of strange”: “I have no idea what I’m doing, but it’s exciting, it’s so fun, I’m having a blast.”

Patton said she’s had mixed emotions about the transition to being single. “It’s really nice, honestly, getting used to being alone,” she said. “It’s freeing, it’s scary at the beginning. It’s really scary. But it’s something I’m coming to embrace and knowing that that’s really what it is now: learning to love yourself, enjoying your time with your friends, your family and then it will sort itself out.”

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She did, however, clarify the type of man she’d love to find once she’s ready to settle down with someone: “You know what the biggest thing is for me? Somebody who really likes to have fun,” she said. “I want a man, but I want a man that also wants to embrace his inner child. You know? Laugh. Have fun. Enjoy the moment. … I want to be happy. Life is too short.”

Watch the full interview at Essence.com