Drew Barrymore "genuinely enjoys" being single at 50

Writing for Us Weekly, she said: "I think, for me, the real shift came when I stopped looking at being alone as a waiting room.

"Like, I wasn't alone because I was between relationships or because I hadn't figured something out yet. I was alone because I genuinely enjoyed it.

"I was choosing it. I didn't need to fill every moment with noise. And when I tell you that was the most freeing realization of my life? Oh. My. Gosh."

The talk show host has started embracing "solo dates" and doing things for herself instead of worrying about finding someone to share them with.

She explained: "I started doing things for me in a way I never had before. I took myself out on little solo dates. I cooked for myself like I was hosting some fabulous dinner party - candles, music, the whole thing.

"I made my home exactly how I wanted it. I embraced the fact that I love a night in my pajamas, watching reruns of The Golden Girls, instead of being out at some fancy event.

"And what's funny is, the more I embraced me, the more I felt like the truest version of myself."

Drew described being 50 as "a really interesting age", and while she is still entertaining "big" dreams, she's also more "settled" than ever. She continued: "[Being 50 is] this beautiful blend of confidence, wisdom and still feeling like a total goofball who doesn't have it all figured out (and maybe never will - and that's OK!).

"I feel settled in a way I never did before, but I also feel excited. I'm not winding down - I'm winding up. I still want to dream big. I still want to throw myself into love and work and creativity.

"I still want to do ridiculous things like go to bed at 9 p.m. and wake up at 5 a.m. just to drink my morning iced tea in peace. I want all of it."