If you missed Drew Barrymore’s chat with the effortlessly cool Andie MacDowell on her talk show a couple of years ago (it's just been shared again on the Drew Barrymore Show's Instagram account!), let me catch you up on the quote that made single women everywhere nod so hard they nearly pulled a neck muscle. Drew dropped this total gem: "I'm so single ... I'm going to turn 49, I'm not that aggressive or interested. I'm very happy with my life."
Cue the collective sigh of relief!
In a world that constantly tries to convince us that life without a partner is not the way to do life, Drew’s casual confession felt like a breath of fresh air. She’s not hunting down dates, she’s not aggressively swiping on apps, and she’s definitely not losing sleep over it. She’s just... happy.
The magic of "not that interested"
If dating in your twenties and thirties felt like a full-time job, navigating awkward small talk, figuring out if someone was 'the one,' worrying about biological clocks, and pretending like you actually enjoyed it all, Drew's chat with Andie will make your heart sing.
Responding to Drew's lack of interest in dating, Andie recalled how exhausting the constant questioning used to be: "I got really tired. People finally gave up, because everybody would say, 'So, is there a man?' I was just like, you know, years and years, years go by. Now, nobody asks me anymore."
The 68-year-old concluded: "We've had such an evolution of who we are as human beings. I do think that there is nothing wrong with being single, really."
Suddenly, 'not that interested' isn't a sign of heartbreak or bitterness - it’s a massive upgrade in priorities.
© AFP via Getty ImagesWhen you reach a particular stage of life, you realise your peace of mind is non-negotiable. Why trade a peaceful evening on your couch for a first date where someone explains cryptocurrency to you for two hours? Exactly. You wouldn't.
When Andie - the undisputed queen of embracing grey hair and midlife grace - nodded along with Drew, it felt like a secret high-five between women who finally get it. Being happily single in your late 40s, 50s, and beyond comes with a brand-new set of superpowers
Some highlights include:
- No one is standing in the kitchen asking, "So, what are we doing for food tonight?"
- You get the entire bed, all the extra pillows, and the sheer glory of diagonal sleeping.
- Your schedule and energy belong entirely to you, your friends, your family, and whatever weird new hobby catches your eye this weekend.
Love isn't off the table - it's just optional
The best part about Drew’s mindset is that being blissfully single doesn't mean swearing off romance forever. It just means the bar is officially set at skyscraper levels.
© WireImageIn your second act, a partner isn't a missing puzzle piece required to complete you. You’re already the complete picture! If someone comes along who genuinely adds laughter, respect, and extra joy to an already fabulous life, fantastic. But if not? You’ve got a life you built, friends who adore you, and a level of inner peace that money can't buy.
Drew and Andi's chat is a reminder that life isn't about looking around to see what’s missing. It’s about looking at your life and realising you’ve finally become the main character of your own story.
