Mýa says being celibate for 7 years provided 'mental clarity'

Mýa is opening up about her experience with celibacy .

The "It's All About Me" singer, 44, shared in an interview on "Way Up with Angela Yee" that she was once celibate for seven years, which provided "mental clarity."

"It shifted my mindset," she said. "It was no longer a focus. The rush to be in a relationship, the rush to be married, the rush to be in something because that's what you're taught to do, to have kids or procreate. I think there's a lot of pressure on women to be able to do that."

She went on to say this was also about feeling "valid" outside of the context of a romantic relationship.

"Why are we taught that we have to be 'taken' or 'made an honest woman'?" she asked. "... Love is beautiful, and I think the world always needs more of it, but I think you must start with yourself, and I have to start with self, always, versus expecting from other sources. So it was just reconditioning, and I think it's something that was necessary."

The Grammy-winner said celibacy was one aspect of her "independent journey," in which she began giving up things that she loved "to sharpen my mind and my spirit." This also included not drinking alcohol for a year.

‘Hot girl summer,’ move aside. Women are going ‘boysober’ and have never felt better.

Julia Fox, Lenny Kravitz have opened up about celibacy

Mýa was the latest star to open up about celibacy. In May, Julia Fox revealed she has abstained from sex for more than two years and has "never been better."

50 Cent posted about a 'year of abstinence.' Voluntary celibacy is a very real trend.

On the "Zach Sang Show," the "Uncut Gems" star explained this decision was inspired by the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and eliminating the constitutional right to abortion in 2022.

"If they were going to take away our rights to our body and our reproductive rights, well then this is my way of taking them back," she said. "I feel like more women should really get on that."

In an interview with The Guardian in May, Lenny Kravitz said he has not been in a serious relationship in nine years and will remain celibate until finding the right person. "It's a spiritual thing," he told the outlet.

Speaking to The New York Times in 2019, Linda Hamilton also shared that she has been celibate for "at least" 15 years.

"One loses track, because it just doesn’t matter — or at least it doesn't matter to me," she said. "I have a very romantic relationship with my world every day and the people who are in it."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mýa says being celibate for 7 years provided 'mental clarity'